The Volkswagen Polo enters 2021 unchanged, remaining one of the best-selling vehicles in a declining light car segment.
Though many rival brands have reduced their footprint in the segment or withdrawn entirely, the Polo still faces some tough competition.
Toyota recently redesigned its Yaris, while the budget-price MG 3 has usurped the Toyota to become the segment’s best seller.
Fellow Volkswagen Group brand Skoda also has a redesigned Fabia coming within the next 12 months, while the Polo GTI will go up against the recently redesigned Ford Fiesta ST and upcoming Hyundai i20 N.
Other Polo rivals include the Kia Rio, Mazda 2 and the Suzuki Baleno and Swift.
GTI
Pricing
- 2021 Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Trendline manual: $19,290
- 2021 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Comfortline manual: $20,890
- 2021 Volkswagen Polo 70TSI Trendline auto: $21,790
- 2021 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Comfortline auto: $23,390
- 2021 Volkswagen Polo 85TSI Style auto: $25,690
- 2021 Volkswagen Polo GTI auto: $32,890
All prices exclude on-road costs.
70TSI Trendline
Engines
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is available with a choice of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder petrol engines.
Most models use a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with 70kW of power and 175Nm of torque (70TSI) or 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque (85TSI).
The Polo GTI uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147kW of power and 320Nm of torque.
The 70TSI comes with a five-speed manual transmission as standard while the 85TSI uses a six-speed manual. Both are available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the GTI comes exclusively with a six-speed dual-clutch auto.
The Polo does the 0-100km/h dash in 10.8 seconds in 70TSI models, 9.5 seconds in 85TSI models and 6.7 seconds in the GTI.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo uses 5.0L/100km on the combined cycle as a 70TSI 85TSI auto, 5.1L/100km as a 85TSI manual, 5.6L/100km as a 70TSI manual and 6.1L/100km as a GTI.
All models require 95RON premium unleaded fuel and have a 40L fuel tank.
70TSI Trendline
Dimensions
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo measures 4053mm long, 1751mm wide and 1446mm tall, except for the GTI which is 4067mm long and 1438mm tall.
Luggage space is 351L, expanding to 1125L with the second row folded. Style and GTI models have 305L and 1079L, respectively.
Tare mass ranges from 1111kg in the 70TSI to 1303kg in the GTI.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Volkswagen also offers three- and five-year servicing plans. These cost $1200 and $2300, respectively, in the GTI and $1050 and $1900 in all other Polos.
Safety
The Volkswagen Polo has a five-star rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2017.
It received an adult occupant protection score of 96 per cent, a child occupant protection score of 85 per cent, a pedestrian protection score of 76 per cent, and a safety assist score of 59 per cent.
All 2021 Volkswagen Polo models come standard with the following safety features:
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Reversing camera
- Driver fatigue detection
Optional on all bar the base 70TSI is a pack that includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
GTI
Standard Equipment
The 70TSI Trendline comes standard with the following features:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Six-speaker sound system
- Remote central locking
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Two front USB-C outlets
- Manual air-conditioning
- Cloth upholstery
- Power windows with auto up/down
- 15-inch steel wheels
- 15-inch steel spare
The 85TSI Comfortline adds:
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- Automatic headlights
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Rain-sensing wipers
Optional on the 85TSI Comfortline is the R-Line package, which adds:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Sports suspension
- R-Line exterior package
- Front fog lights with static cornering lights
The 85TSI Style adds:
- 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite navigation
- Wireless phone charging
- LED rear tail lights
- Beats 300W premium sound system
- Dual-zone climate control
- Paddle shifters
- Two rear USB-C outlets
- 16-inch alloy wheels
Over the 85TSI Comfortline, the Polo GTI adds:
- Adaptive suspension
- Front fog lights with static cornering lights
- Keyless entry and start
- Front sport seats
- Red inlays
- Ambient lighting
- Paddle shifters
- Dual-zone climate control
- Two rear USB-C outlets
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Space-saver spare
The GTI is available with the 85TSI Style’s extra features by selecting the Sound & Vision package.
Optional on all Polo models bar the 70TSI Trendline is the Driver Assistance package, which adds:
- Adaptive cruise control (with stop/go on auto models)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Semi-autonomous parking assist
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
The GTI is available with the Luxury Package, which adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Microfleece upholstery
- LED headlights and daytime running lights
- Heated front seats
- Rear privacy glass
- Panoramic sunroof
