Volkswagen Polo sedan vs Toyota Corolla Quest vs Honda Ballade: Which has the lowest running costs?

Volkswagen recently launched a new version of its Polo sedan, and judging by its pricing strategy, the newcomer has its sights set on the Toyota Corolla Quest and Honda Ballade. Which one has the lowest running costs, though?

Sean Nurse

7 Nov 2022 · 11:52Buying a Car

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Affordable sedans may not be as popular as they once were, and some consider them the preserve of e-hailing services, however, there is no denying their practicality for those looking for something different from the hatchbacks and crossovers that populate our roads. Volkswagen recently introduced a new version of its Polo sedan, which is aimed squarely at the likes of the Toyota Corolla Quest and Honda's Ballade. How do the running costs of the Polo compare with these two key rivals? Today we will compare the Polo sedan with two similarly priced products from Toyota and Honda.

The figures

	Volkswagen Polo sedan 1.6 Life auto	Toyota Corolla Quest 1.8 Exclusive auto	Honda Ballade 1.5 Comfort
Engine size	4-cyl, 1.6-litre petrol	4-cyl, 1.8-litre petrol	4-cyl, 1.5-litre petrol
Power/Torque	81 kW/152 Nm	103 kW/173 Nm	89 kW/145 Nm
Gearbox	6-speed automatic	CVT	CVT
Seats	5	5	5
Airbags	2	5	6
Driven wheels	Front	Front	Front
Load Capacity	521-litres	452-litres	506-litres
Fuel capacity	45-litres	55-litres	40-litres
Claimed consumption	6.5 L/100 km	6.4 L/100 km	5.5 L/100 km
CO2 emissions	155 g/km	152 g/km	131 g/km
Service plan	3-yr/45 000km	3-service /45 000km	4-year/60 000km
Price	R365 500	R368 500	R374 000

Related: The best Volkswagen Polo offers AutoTrader found advertised in 2022.

Comparing the trio

Purchase price

The models we have chosen for this comparison are competitors from a pricing and body-style perspective. Monthly instalments are calculated throughout 72 months with a 10% deposit and no balloon or residual. The interest rate is set at 11%.

Volkswagen Polo sedan 1.6 Life auto

With the instalment parameters in place, the Polo will work out at R6 261 per month over 72 months.

Toyota Corolla Quest 1.8 Exclusive auto

With the instalment parameters in place, the Quest will work out at R6 313 per month over 72 months.

Honda Ballade 1.5 Comfort

With the instalment parameters in place, the Ballade will work out at R6 407 per month over 72 months.

Fuel consumption

On paper, the Honda has both the smallest engine and the lowest claimed fuel consumption with both the Toyota and Volkswagen being incredibly similar. The real-world consumption of the products should be reasonably similar.

Service plans

All three models come with service plans, but it is the Ballade with the longest plan, with the Polo and Corolla Quest matching one another's in terms of duration and distance.

Verdict

Having looked at the data, in the first five years of ownership, we would be confident that the Honda Ballade will have the lowest running costs of the three products being compared.

Written by Sean Nurse

With a lifelong passion for cars, bikes, and motorsport, Sean knew that attaining a degree in journalism would allow him to pursue his passion, which was to be a motoring journalist. After graduating in 2012, Sean was awarded a bursary from the SAGMJ which allowed him to work for a variety of motoring publications. This was a dream come true for Sean, and after a year of gaining vital industry experience, he was hired as a motoring journalist at a local newspaper and worked his way up to editor. In 2020, Sean joined the AutoTrader team and counts himself lucky to wake up and genuinely love what he does for a living.Read more