Volkswagen Ameo VS Polo: What's Different?

Volkswagen has launched the Ameo sedan in one of the most crowded segments of the country. And by pricing the car competitively, Volkswagen has made its intentions very clear. In order to make the Ameo stand out, the manufacturer has priced the car even below the Polo hatchback. Essentially a Polo with a boot, the Ameo has more to offer than the Polo. Or does it? With the launch of the Ameo, is the Polo still a worthy option? These questions do not have a simple answers. So let's compare some important aspects of the two cars and try to arrive at a conclusion.

Spot The Difference

The Ameo is a doppelganger of the Polo. But there are very clever yet subtle differences between the two. For instance, the Ameo’s front bumper has muscular ceases on the side and is shorter in length. Other than that, it's a Polo. Coming to the side, the car has a more angular C-pillar which allows it to blend with the boot. The roof height has been lowered a bit to arrange the proportions, but up to the C-pillar, it’s a Polo. Surprisingly, the rear is entirely new. The two share similar taillamps, but the Ameo has received new units. The boot has some nice angular design cues near the license plate which marginally helps the car with its aesthetics. Also, the integrated boot spoiler adds a bit of sportiness to the otherwise sober sedan.

The two cars look almost alike from the front, but differ a bit from the the side and the rear. The overall personality of the car though, stays the same. If you like the design of the Polo, you might end up falling for the Ameo as well.

The Cabin

Like the front look, the Ameo adopts the dashboard from the Polo as well. The steering and instrument cluster are all familiar too. The center console features the touchscreen infotainment system with Mirrorlink capabilities. The doors and door panes are the same as in the Polo. Additionally, the Ameo gets a front center armrest with storage for knick-knacks. As the wheelbase is the same, the legroom for the rear passenger is also on similar lines with the Polo.

Sitting inside the Ameo is reminiscent of being inside the Polo. The cabin feels same, the fit and finish of all the pieces are identical. Even the drive is almost the same, but we will get to that a bit later.

Features

Both of these cars come well loaded for their respective segment. The only major difference in terms of features is the presence of rear AC vents and standard Antilock Braking System (ABS) in the Ameo. Other than that, both the cars come with features such as cruise control, rain sensing wipers, touchscreen infotainment system with Mirrorlink, remote operated power windows, reverse parking sensors and camera.

Dimensions

The Ameo is 3,995mm long, 1,682mm wide and 1,483mm tall. The Polo, on the other hand, is 24mm shorter, 14mm less tall and is the same in width as the Ameo . The front bumper of the Ameo is 35 mm shorter in length. This space has been cleverly used at the boot to make the car look more proportionate. The Ameo comes with a 300 litres boot which is ample for carrying a couple of suitcases on a family trip. If you are not keen on buying a hatchback, the Ameo will be almost be as easy to maneuver in traffic as the Polo, plus the added convenience of the boot.  

The Drive

The Ameo borrows its petrol and diesel engine from the Polo. Out of these, Volkswagen has only launched the 1.2-litre petrol engine as of now. The more popular 1.5-litre diesel will be launched in August. The power and mileage figures are also almost identical to the hatchback. Additionally, the Polo also offers a 1.2-litre TSI and a 1.5-litre TDI in the 105PS tune which makes driving charmful in the hatch. When it comes to the driving dynamics, the Polo is a lot more fun to drive. This does not mean that the Ameo is bad, but it is evident in the drive that you are carrying a boot at the back. Both cars are firm in corners and handle well.

Price

Volkswagen shocked everyone when they announced the price for the Ameo. It not only undercuts most of its rivals, but also the Polo. Here are the variant wise prices of the cars.

All prices ex-showroom Delhi

What's Different?

The cost of the two cars is almost identical. And, for a lesser price, you get 300 litres of boot space with the convenience of a sedan. The tradeoff is the brilliant driving dynamics of the Polo and the grunt of the 105PS petrol and diesel engines. If you are particularly looking for a hatchback, the Polo fits the bill, but if you're looking for a good car in the Rs 6 - 8 lakh price range with several features and good built quality, the Ameo is the perfect deal.

Key Changes

• 300 litres boot space
• New front bumper
• Front center armrest
• Standard ABS
• Rear AC vents

Also Read: Volkswagen Ameo VS Vento: What's Different?

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