YOU could say that the Volkswagen Polo has been a tad successful during its 30 years on the road. Not only has it scored sales success after sales success since it was first launched back in 1975, but it remains a firm favourite among supermini buyers, especially in the UK.

New versions have just gone on sale here, and VW reckons it will sell around 36,000 models a year. Ironically, though, it still can't beat demand for its bigger brother, the Golf.

Prices of the new range of Polo start at £7,495 on the road, and the 38-model line-up features both three-door and five-door versions as well as a choice of petrol and diesel engines.

The range starts with the E 1.2-litre 55PS three-door, moves on through S and SE models, and then tops at the Sport, which provides more powerful engines.

However, it is the S model that is seen as the likely best-selling trim level. It certainly has much to offer: semi-automatic climate control, alloy wheels, electric front windows, electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, front fog lamps, central locking, CD player, body-coloured side bump strips, door mirrors and door handles, as well as anti-lock brakes for extra safety. The start-up price for the S range is £8,850 on the road for the three-door version, £9,450 for the five-door model, both powered by a 1.2-litre 55bhp petrol engine.

The S range also includes 1.4-litre petrol engines matched to either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, and also four turbo diesel models with prices for these starting at £10.405 on the road for a three-door model.

Volkswagen have been holding ride and drive days for its models throughout the country, and Yorkshire's venue was based near Wetherby, providing the chance to iron out a few curves on nearby country lanes as well as tacking-on a few exhilarating miles on the A1.

The new Polo is certainly a capable performer; the engines include two new emission compliant diesels. Replacing the 1.9-litre 64bhp is a 1.4-litre turbo diesel producing 70bhp, so much more advanced than its predecessor, with injector technology and turbo charging. There is also a new 1.4-litre turbo diesel producing 80bhp and this replaces the 75bhp of the previous Polo.

Drive comfort is excellent: gone are the days when a small car signalled a noisy and bumpy ride. The Polo sits on a sub frame, which reduces road noise and also cuts out rolling about all over the road.

As with its predecessor, the new Polo is notable for its interior size, in fact the most spacious in its class. For the new model, however, the cabin has been completely revised, and high quality fabrics cover the seats, and the instrument panel graphics have been redesigned. The speedo and rev counter are within chrome surrounds and easy to read, while on Sport models there is a computer read-out screen tucked neatly between them. Sensibly, the Polo continues to light up the dials at night in blue, such a nice contrast with the red lighting for the needles. The centre console is also designed to be functional as well as stylish, with the most frequently used controls - those for the stereo unit - at the top. Underneath these are the heating and ventilation dials.

Both front seats adjust for tilt and reach and on SE and Sport models also for height. All models have been given new steering wheels that are now adjustable for rake and reach and, helpfully, height adjustable seat belts.

Generally, small cars lack essential luggage space, but the Polo provides 270-litres with the seats up, and 1030 with the rear seats folded. However, the rear wheel arches still eat up some space, although certainly not as much as in earlier models. In the cabin proper, there are lots of cubby-holes and plenty of space for maps and drinks.

Externally, the newcomer's most striking feature is at the front, where a new bold "U" (rather than "V") shaped grille extends into the bonnet, designed to give the car a more upmarket look. In addition, there are new headlights with a shape similar to that on the new Volkswagen Passat, with indicator repeaters now positioned in the door mirror housings. The back end has also been given the new look adopted by other models in the VW range: the window base now has a gentle "V" shape, and the tail lamps have been redesigned, similar to those on the upmarket Phaeton, Golf Plus and new Passat, allowing for a wider boot lid.

From the side, the three-door and five-door versions are clearly distinguished: the three-door has two windows while the five-door adds a small third rear window.

The latest Polo is being sold as one of the safest and toughest cars on the supermini market. It has anti-lock brakes with brake assist, plus driver and front passenger airbags for all models, with the option of adding side and curtain airbags.

Other optional equipment available includes parking sensors, climatic air conditioning, sports suspension, satellite navigation system, tyre pressure monitor, rain sensor and automatic dimming interior rear-view mirror and an integrated child seat.

Layerthorpe Ltd, Centurion Park, Clifton Moor, York (01904 479666)

Des Winks (Cars) Ltd, Pickering Road, West Snainton, Scarborough (01723 859447).

Updated: 11:20 Friday, June 24, 2005