Peter Lyon
August 13, 2025
The Volkswagen Polo has been voted Best Car of the Half Century as part of the Best Cars of the Year – The New Car World Championships. The award was announced ahead of this year’s British Motor Show in recognition of the Polo’s 50th anniversary – echoing the same honour given to the Golf last year during its 50th birthday celebrations.
The Polo is one of many cars taking centre stage at this year’s British Motor Show, which starts on Friday 15 August at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre. The judging panel for the award comprised independent world-renowned car designers, engineers, auto industry figureheads, motorsport personalities, journalists, broadcasters, media professionals, vehicle retailers, automotive consultants, motor club chiefs and motoring event organisers.
Among them was automotive journalist Mike Rutherford, founder of the Best Cars of the Year – The New Car World Championships. “The 20 million motorists who have been buying Volkswagen Polos since 1975 cannot be wrong,” said Mike. “It’s the most consistently credible supermini of the past 50 years and has repeatedly hit the sweet spot in terms of understated design, overall dimensions, build quality, competitive retail pricing, efficiency and low standing and running costs. It’s super strong on overall affordability, durability and longevity.
“And it’s fair to say that since the birth of the MK1 version in 1975, it has grown in size, stature, quality and market relevance. No longer is the Polo a basic supermini to be driven on tight, slow streets in busy towns and cities across the world. At more than four metres long in its current Mk6 guise, it’s more of a small, credible, borderline premium family hatchback.
“No wonder it remained one of the top 20 best-selling cars in Europe last year.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
With more than 20 million sales worldwide, the Polo is one of Volkswagen’s most successful cars to date, and it continues to stand for affordable mobility – a car for everyone. ‘Small but mighty’ is the perfect way to sum up the Polo, not just in terms of looks but also in its sporty credentials. In the World Rally Championships, the Polo R WRC has won an impressive four world titles. Stay tuned to see how the Polo will develop into the future.
