Volkswagen SA’s Kariega production facility was abuzz with activity this week when media representatives attended the local introduction of the updated 6th-generation Polo hatchback in Gqeberha. Our very own Gero Lilleike was in attendance to see and experience the “new” light hatchback in the metal.

If you’ve been tracking the monthly new-car sales stats in South Africa for a while you should know at least 2 things… The first is that Volkswagen’s Polo and Polo Vivo have consistently rocked the sales charts for the past 12 years and, secondly, that the German brand has, until very recently, dominated the passenger-car segment. The Polo notably claims a 46% share of the A0 hatchback segment.

VWPolo:ASouth African Success Story

The locally-assembled Polo is Volkswagen’s second best-selling model globally.

Since the 6th-generation Polo arrived back in 2018, more than 80 000 Polos have found homes in Mzansi.The Wolfsburg-based brand’s light hatchback is, as a matter of fact,the second most popular model in Volkswagen’s global portfolio after the popular Tiguan family car. The Polo is, therefore, not only an important model for Volkswagen –it’s also a phenomenal South African success story.

No fewerthan 2 600 Volkswagen South Africa staff members produce the Polo, not only for local customers, but for consumersaround the globe! Volkwagen’s Kariega production facility has the capacity to produce up to 165 000 units per annum and 75% of all the cars produced here are earmarked for export to left- and right-hand-drive markets in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, to name just a few locations. Four out of every 5 cars built in Kariega is a Polo derivative and a new Polo or Polo Vivo rolls off the production line every 105 seconds!

The Polo is built on Volkswagen’s MQB-27 platform, which alsounderpins the popular T-Cross and the stylish Taigo, the latter of which is due to arrive in local showrooms in May 2022. Interestingly though, the Kariega production facility is now the sole global production hub for the potent Polo GTI.

Despite the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe, the Polo remains a kingpin in Volkswagen’s line-up and will continue to serve the local and global markets for many more years to come.

More style and tech for Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo now features a Digital Cockpit as standard across the range.

ThePolo’s exterior stylinghas been sharpened up appreciably thanks to redesigned front and rear bumpers and revised LED headlights. All Polo derivatives now feature Eco LED headlights and taillights, while the Polo GTI is distinguished by its IQ Light Matrix LED headlights, along with a LED light bar, whichspansits upper grille section. As a result, the newcomer looks undeniably striking in the metal!

Inside, all Polo derivatives are equipped witha Digital Cockpit (an electronic instrument cluster), with the Polo R-Line and Polo GTI benefitting from Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit Pro. The modelalso gains updated infotainment systems, including a 6.5-inch Composition Colour system in the Polo and Polo Life and a larger (8.0-inch) Composition Media infotainment systemin the Polo R-Line and Polo GTI.

Customers can also specify the optional 8.0-inch Discover Media system, replete with satellite navigation, wireless app-connect, voice control and inductive smartphone charging. Those with a keen eye for detail will notice that the multifunction steering wheel has been updated too, as has theseat upholstery.

Volkswagen’s IQ Drive Travel Assist driver-assistance suite is now available as part of the optional Safety Package, whichincludes Front Assist and Pedestrian Monitoring, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Assist, both of which makedriving in congested traffic situations much easier – they enable such-equipped Polos to brake and accelerate automatically based on traffic situations.

See specification details for the 2022 Volkswagen Polo here

Is the Volkswagen Polo good to drive?

The Volkswagen Polo Life delivers a good balance between performance, comfort and efficiency.

The short answer is, yes! The Polo is still widely considered to be the most resolved product in its segment in terms of on-road sophistication andits fine ride/handling balance. These attributes were confirmed shortly after we settled in behind the steering wheel of,and set off in, the Polo Life (previously known as the Polo Comfortline).

The Polo Life is powered by a 1.0-litre turbopetrol engine, whichproduces75 kW and 175 Nm of torque andis paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. This powertrain is identical to that found in the T-Cross we tested recently and, when fittedin the Polo, it’s a strong entry-level engine. Not only does it deliver good overall performance,it’s also quite frugal – Volkswagen claimsan average fuel consumption figure of 5.4 L/100 km.

The Polo Life rides on 15-inch Essex alloy wheels and, during the on-road evaluation, we found the overall ride qualityquite comfortable and forgiving. The Polo’s handling credentials are impressive too.

It feels well-planted,but can also be whipped through corners with reassuring confidence, thanks to its relatively responsive steering;No other cars in this segment offerquite the same level of balance.

The Polo GTI is the pinnacle of the Polo range but its ride comfort is compromised in favour of performance.

We also spent some time driving the Polo GTI, which will appeal to buyers who want to exploit every ounce of the Polo’s performance potential. In terms of styling, the Polo GTI is unashamedly sporty and thanks to its sports suspension,sits some 15mm lower than a standard Polo;those 17-inch Milton Keynes alloy wheels look the part too.

The Polo GTI’s sporty stance is backed up by a punchy2.0-litre turbopetrol engine that delivers 147 kW and 320 Nm in conjunction with a snappy, quick-shifting 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Out on the road, the Polo GTI performs strongly and its driver can choose between the Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual drive modes. In Sport mode, the Polo GTI’s reactions to driver inputs are at their sharpest and for all the updated 6th-generation model’s inherent on-road sophistication, the flagship dishes up satisfying drivingengagement. Its claimedzero-to-100 kph time is 6.7 seconds.

While the Polo GTI excels in terms of acceleration and athletic handling ability, it is compromised as far as overall ride comfort is concerned, however. It became evident during our test drive that the Polo GTI’s sportier dampingtranslates into a much firmer ride quality than those of its lesser Polo siblings. Even so, if outright performance in a new Polo is what you’re after, the GTI is unlikely to disappoint.

What does the Volkswagen Polo cost?

The higher pricing structure of the updated Volkswagen Polo is a sticking point for some consumers and this was reflected in the feedback that we have seen on our social media channels…

Historically, the Polo has served as an accessible entry-point into the Volkswagen brand and it has done so very successfully – the Polo’s stellar sales history reflects that. However, with pricing starting at R311 800 (for the base Polo) and going all the way up to R489 400 for the Polo GTI, the Polo is perhaps now more out of reach for many buyers in South Africa than it’s ever been…

The Volkswagen Polo is sold with a 3-year/120 000 km warranty and a 3-year/45 000 km service plan.

Summary

Given the greater sophistication of the updated 6th-gen Polo, it stands to reason that a model that was already priced on the premium end of its segment would become dearer still. ThisPolo is produced for many markets, mostof which require it to be built to more expensive standards than what’s requiredfor the SAmarket… andit would be unrealistic to expect that the model’snew high-end features could simply be stripped out (one by one)to makeitmore affordable for local buyers. This model is no longer everyman’s car in the way that it used to be – that role is now performed more ably by the Polo Vivo.

Having said that, even though there are bigger and more affordable cars that you can buy (from new) atthe updatedPolo’s price point, Volkswagen’s offering is still arguably the best compact hatchback in the market,which is a compelling sellingproposition. In a way, the Polo and its rivals are now aimed more at “newly-appointed managers” than “junior executives”, butit’s bound toremain a popular buy.

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