PoloDriver

Unveiled in April, the revised 2022 Volkswagen Polo opens for order today in the UK. As well as a new face, there is more technology and more kit, and a new range structure. Prices start at £17,885 for the Polo Life, with adaptive cruise control and a digital cockpit available on the base model equipped with a 93bhp engine.

One of the most popular cars in the UK, the Polo’s traditional strengths of big-car technology, comfort and quality continue with the refreshed 2022 model. Still based on the sixth-generation Polo introduced in 2017, the new car has sharper lines and a more digitised interior, taking its lead from the eighth-generation Golf and ID family of electric models. First launched in 1975, over 18 million Polos have been sold in the intervening 46 years.

Four engine and gearbox configurations
Four engine and gearbox configurations are available across the new Polo line-up – all 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines, with power from 78 to 107bhp. The entry-level 78bhp engine has a five-speed manual gearbox, the more powerful 93bhp unit coming with five-speed manual and seven-speed DSG transmissions. The DSG is also exclusively reserved for the 107bhp engine, and is currently the most powerful Polo in the revised range until the firecracking 204bhp GTI arrives. To us, though, there still seems to be a bit of a yawning gap in the range which needs to be plugged in-between these two models.

The 118g/km, 93bhp Polo Life is the ‘cleanest’ model in the new Polo family, officially achieving 54.3mpg. Volkswagen UK forecasts that the 93bhp engine will take around 60 per cent of sales, shared between manual and DSG configurations.

Polo Life
With a trim structure that spans Life, Style and R-Line, the new Polo range mirrors that of the latest Golf. Entry-level Life models fitted with the 93bhp engine have Volkswagen’s new suite of safety technologies, bundled under the Travel Assist banner. This means the Polo is one of the first models in its segment to offer partly automated driving. LED head and tail lamps are also standard, along with 15-inch ‘Essex’ (‘Shu’up’!) alloy wheels, an automatic dimming rear view mirror, auto wipers, a multifunction steering wheel, and power-folding door mirrors.

There is also an eight-inch Digital Cockpit driver’s display and a ‘Ready 2 Discover’ colour touchscreen of the same size which uses Volkswagen’s third-generation Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3). This makes the revised Polo the most connected ever, and the App-Connect system uses either a USB connection or Bluetooth link to activate smartphone mirroring via the central touchscreen. Volkswagen UK expects 75 per cent of all new Polos to be in Life trim.

Polo Style
Moving up the range, the £20,785 Polo Style – currently only available with the 93bhp engine – adds 16-inch ‘Palermo’ alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, IQ Light intelligent LED matrix headlights, a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro driver display, as well as a Discover Navigation infotainment system.

Polo R-Line
The range-topping R-Line is the sportiest new Polo until the GTI arrives and looks the part with its unique body kit, 16-inch ‘Valencia’ alloy wheels, black roof lining, stainless steel pedals, and sports seats upholstered in ‘Karoso Artvelours’ microfleece. Sharing many of its interior appointments with the Polo Style, the R-Line adds Dynamic Road Sign Display and High Beam Assist aids.

To make their new Polo stand out further, drivers can choose metallic paint, with two new Polo shades, Kings Red (£695) and Vibrant Violet (£595) – the Polo is the first Volkswagen to have the colour – as well as 16 and 17-inch alloy wheels, a suite of assistance systems, and sports suspension (£360), which incorporates the XDS electronic differential lock first introduced on the Golf GTI, and Driving Profile Selection.

To find out more about, and to order the latest version of Volkswagen’s big small car seller, visit the Volkswagen UK website.

2022 VOLKSWAGEN POLO PRICES

Polo Life
1.0 78bhp five-speed manual; 124g/km*; 51.4mpg**; £17,885 (RRP OTR)
1.0 93bhp five-speed manual; 118g/km*; 54.3mpg**; £18,825 (RRP OTR)
1.0 93bhp seven-speed DSG; 125g/km*; 54.3mpg**; £20,260 (RRP OTR)

Polo Style
1.0 93bhp seven-speed DSG; 119g/km*; 51.4mpg**; £20,785 (RRP OTR)

Polo R-Line
1.0 93bhp five-speed manual; 119g/km*; 54.3mpg**; £20,785 (RRP OTR)
1.0 93bhp seven-speed DSG; 127g/km*; 50.4mpg**; £22,220 (RRP OTR)
1.0 107bhp seven-speed DSG; 128g/km*; 50.4mpg**; £23,355 (RRP OTR)

*WLTP CO2, **WLTP combined.