The fifth generation of the Polo was released in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show, and it was just one inch shorter than the second generation of the Volkswagen Golf.
By the fifth Polo, Volkswagen already understood that it had to make it full-scale with all the body versions available when it introduces a new generation. Maybe it didn't have all the engines or transmissions, but at least it had to show the 3- and the 5-door version for the little Polo.
It was a significant step from the design point of view with angular lines and a sporty-looking front fascia. The angled headlights and wide grille in the lower side of the bumper inspired a sporty sensation. The three-door version featured a slightly ascending window line and fixed windows in the back. Volkswagen considered that the pop-out, front-hinged windows were useless for the rear passengers but very annoying for those in the front seats.
Inside, the 3-door Polo offered bucket seats at the front with a center console between them that sported the gear-stick and the hand-brake. Its dashboard was typical for a Volkswagen, with rounded edges, soft materials, and a center stack for the infotainment system and the climate control unit. In the instrument cluster, the Polo designers installed a TFT display between the speedometer and tachometer and deleted the fuel-level and the coolant-temperature gauges. In the back, the split-folding (60:40) bench was fitted as standard.
Under the hood, Volkswagen installed an extensive range of diesel and gasoline engines ranged between 60 hp and 105 hp. The Polo GTI was a different story.