I’ve always enjoyed the sporty response of VW’s 1.9TDi diesel engine. Responsive and peppy, in the CrossPolo, it’s almost noiseless at 160km/h while indicating around 3000rpm and when pressed for more, it effortlessly gets to over 180km/h.

However, with a car that is supposedly built as a fun vehicle, why was the more powerful Sportline motor not used with its 310Nm and 96kW? Road holding is still good, even though the suspension was lifted by 15mm to make it resemble an off-roader and in effect in the process makes it a trite top heavy too. Not that the extra height offers much advantage when used in more serious off-road use, but does assist in offering more road clearance when the extra 75kg of load is carried on those bespoken silver coloured roof carriers, which in effect set the CrossPolo truly apart from all its siblings.

In performance terms our 11.2-second dash to 100km/h proved better than the claimed figure of 11.5, no doubt as a result of the brass-monkey-freezing zero degrees early morning air. The more powerful 310Nm motor we tested back in 2005 in fact managed 9.2 seconds. However what surprised me was the CrossPolo proved quicker from 80 to 120km/h and 120 to 160km\h in 4th gear, which could be ascribed to its lower 1800rpm torque peak. A low combined fuel consumption of 4.9 l/100km can be achieved, however this only by truly pussy footing your way around and watching the real-time fuel consumption indicator needle like a hawk.

With more character than the normal Polo, the five-door CrossPolo’s V-shaped radiator - which is a characteristic of many new Volkswagens – stands out with its black honeycomb structure resembling that of the Polo GTI. It did attract some attention, especially from other Polo owners with its 17” BBS radial spoke sterling silver alloy wheels, front and rear bumpers, side and wheel arch protection and silver-coloured side mirrors with integrated indicators.

I liked the leather four-spoke steering wheel and leather gearshift knob with colour coordinated stitching while the interior is, yes, the usual VW-smart-look with little or no frills. However - and very unlike VW - the garish lime-green coloured seats may have seemed over the top for some, but I fancied it. Its refined overall road manners are controlled by ABS with EBD while braking is top class with the front discs being assisted by rear disc brakes.

Front fog lights, body-coloured bumper strips, climatic semi-automatic air conditioning, front comfort seats, Radio CD with MP3 functionality and eight loudspeakers come as standard with options including an electric sunroof, cruise control, satellite navigation and front loading six-disc CD player.

I suppose the R182 900 asking price is a little steep, especially when you consider the Polo GTI can be had for around R10K more.

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