One of our directors wifes has one. I've been a passenger in it a few times with him driving. He hates it with a passion.
I can't comment on the drive but the interior is rubbish compared to other cars of this size. It's like they've just blown up the mini interior in a photocopier so everything is the wrong size and there's too much nothing. The interior also tends to rattle and squeak a bit. A problem that most minis suffer from due to the overly complicated and fussy design of their dash.
Given the choice I'd buy a Polo every time.