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Announced in April 2021, the refreshed sixth-generation Volkswagen Polo’s arrival came just after the small car name celebrated its 46th birthday. And rumours are circulating that this latest version of the Polo could be its last. It may not even live to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The reason? The car market is a very different place to when the original incarnation of the Polo was launched in March 1975. Emission legislation – especially that in Europe – is forcing car makers to produce more electric models, and while internal combustion engines will remain for some time to come, the costs and development needed to make them more environmentally friendly and cleaner are rising. This means the prices will have to rise, making small cars much more expensive.

Small car casualty
Some manufacturers have already pulled the plug on some of their most popular models. The Ford Fiesta has long been a Polo sparring partner, having been launched a year later than the VW, but it is the most high-profile small car casualty yet. Ford has announced that production will stop in June 2023, bringing to an end 47 years of a very popular – the Fiesta has topped the UK registrations chart for several years, most notably from 2009-2020 – nameplate. Could the same be about to happen to the Polo?

Autocar reports that Volkswagen is to take a decision on the Polo’s future within the next two weeks. New technology needed to bring engine emissions down under proposed new Euro 7 regulations would add at least £3,000 to the average cost of cars like the Polo. Volkswagen’s new CEO, Thomas Schäfer, said that would make the Polo essentially unsaleable, making plans for a new electric small car even more prescient. Auto Express states that the larger – and more ‘iconic’ – Golf may stay and even turn into an electric-only model in the future. French magazine Auto-Journal hints that ID 1 and ID 2-badged models – with elements taken from the ID Life concept car – could replace the Polo.

Market withdrawal
What all this means for sales – and a very possible market withdrawal – of the Polo in the UK and Europe is unclear, but there are signs the nameplate may not die imminently elsewhere in the world. A popular model in South Africa – although Cars.co.za reports that sales are starting to slip – the Polo is also built there, the Volkswagen factory in Kariega producing all Polos exported to right-hand drive markets. The facility is also the sole producer of the Polo GTI.

While it may be phased out in Europe, Martina Biene, the managing director of Volkswagen Group South Africa, has commented that the Polo and its cheaper Polo Vivo sister – based on the fifth-generation Polo made from 2009-2017 – will ‘remain’ beyond 2025. Quite what this actually means, we don’t know, but it intimates that for the local market, the Polo name will live on, at least for the short-term, and the model will mark its 50th birthday.

Only electric cars in Europe
The Polo is also built for South American markets in Volkswagen’s Anchieta factory in Brazil and is produced in China in the Anting SAIC Volkswagen plant. South America is still at the very start of the electric car transition, and so will need internal combustion-engined cars for some time to come, whereas China already leads the worldwide electric car market. So, we certainly see the Polo remaining a South American small car staple for a few years yet.

However, elsewhere, things are not so certain. Schäfer has outlined that from 2033 Volkswagen will only produce electric cars in Europe. Ironically, the Polo was the most popular VW in the UK in 2021, a market where the brand also reached the top of the registration charts for the first time. A total of 147,826 Volkswagens found homes, and the Polo was the fifth most popular car in the UK.

While the current Polo has nothing in common with the original car of 1975, given the name and subject of this website, we’d obviously be very disappointed to see the Polo name reach the end of the road. Now one of Volkswagen’s most popular models worldwide, the culling of the Polo name will be a decision that won’t be taken lightly, but European market odds don’t look good. We hope any decision Volkswagen reaches means its small car lives on in some way.

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The 2022 Volkswagen Polo has been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by European safety testing body Euro NCAP. In the first round of 2022 tests, the Polo gained its ratings in all four areas of safety: adult and child occupant protection, vulnerable road users – cyclists and pedestrians – and standard assist systems.

Based on factors including frontal and lateral impacts and whiplash tests, the Polo scored 94 per cent in the ‘Occupant protection for adults’ category. One safety feature of all new Polos is a centre airbag for the front seats, which, in the event of a side collision, can help to prevent or reduce possible head contact between front seat occupants.

Child protection
For child protection, the Polo achieved an 80 per cent rating. Assessing the protection provided by child restraint systems in frontal or lateral impacts, the score also takes into account the options for the installation of child seats of various sizes, and the equipment a vehicle offers for the safe transportation of children.

In the ‘Assist systems’ category, the Polo achieved 70 per cent. As standard, all Polos feature a Driver Alert System, a Front Assist emergency braking system with city emergency braking function and pedestrian detection, as well as a Lane Assist lane keeping assistant.

Emergency braking systems
Euro NCAP also examines how well automatic emergency braking systems protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Here, the Polo scored 70 per cent. Its standard-fit Front Assist system recognises critical distance situations by using a radar sensor and camera, helping to shorten stopping distances. In more dangerous situations, the system warns the driver both visually and acoustically, and by issuing a braking jolt and automatic braking.

As well as the five stars achieved by the Polo, the new Volkswagen Taigo small SUV – closely related to the Polo – and the all-electric ID 5 were also awarded maximum Euro NCAP safety ratings. First launched in 1997, 2022 marks 25 years of the Euro NCAP safety assessment programme, and in that time, testing procedures and the requirements of standard assistance systems and passive safety have become increasingly rigorous.

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New figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the Polo was the most popular Volkswagen in the UK during 2021. More than 30,634 Polos were registered in the UK last year – that’s 394 more than even the perennial Golf.

The small Volkswagen was the fifth most popular car overall, and the third most popular supermini, following the Vauxhall Corsa in first place (40,914 units) and the Mini (31,792 units). The Corsa knocked the Ford Fiesta from its long-held top spot, thanks in part to the sem-conductor chip shortage which has plagued the car industry during 2021 and looks set to continue into 2022.

Volkswagen is UK’s most popular car brand
While the Polo missed out on a place in December’s UK top ten of most popular models, it was the most popular car in the UK twice during 2021, the first time in July, the second in October. The popularity of the Polo helped Volkswagen become the UK’s most popular car brand in 2021, with a total of 147,826 vehicles registered. 

The new all-electric ID 3 and ID 4 cars also aided Volkswagen’s rise to the top, with the ID 3 being the UK’s third most popular electric car in 2021, with 11,032 finding homes. It was also the recipient of 11 of Volkswagen’s 30 UK awards, while its ID 4 sibling was named World Car of the Year. Volkswagen’s share of the UK car market now stands at 8.97 per cent, and it leads the market for the first time.

The UK’s top ten most popular new cars during 2021 were as follows:

1 Vauxhall Corsa: 40,914
2 Tesla Model 3: 34,783
3 Mini: 31,792
4 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 30,710
5 Volkswagen Polo: 30,234
6 Volkswagen Golf: 30,240
7 Nissan Qashqai: 29,922
8 Ford Puma: 28,697
9 Kia Sportage: 27,611
10 Toyota Yaris: 27,415

The updated version of the sixth-generation Polo went on sale in September 2021, after being unveiled in April. As well as a more digitised interior, the new Polo has sharper looks, and a new range of trim levels. A new more powerful 204bhp Polo GTI opened for UK order in November.

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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.

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That was a turn up for the books. A mainstay in the UK’s most popular cars chart for over a decade, the Volkswagen Polo is a favoured choice among UK drivers. However, in July 2021, it was the most beloved model of all. According to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the Polo was the most popular car in July 2021, with 3,047 registered, 46 cars ahead of the Toyota Yaris.

In terms of year-to-date figures, the Polo has risen one position to seventh place with a total of 18,601 registered cars, 476 ahead of, yes, that pesky Toyota. The Vauxhall Corsa still tops 2021’s aggregate figures with 26,215 cars finding new homes, with the once unassailable Ford Fiesta in second place with 23,521 registrations.

Strangely, the Corsa doesn’t even appear in the July chart, and even the Fiesta is in ninth place, perhaps suggesting the global semiconductor chip shortage could be playing a part in the shake-up. Of course, we’d say that everyone has finally cottoned on to what we’ve known for decades: the Polo is the best supermini out there… For whatever reason, though, it’s finally number one, and we’re celebrating it!

For UK drivers who have embraced the Volkswagen Polo as their top choice, enhancing this beloved model’s capabilities is as important as its popularity itself. Amidst this shift in the automotive landscape, ensuring your cherished Polo is equipped with the latest features is a prudent move. Many car enthusiasts are turning to auto electricians for expert services, such as installing a dash camera, to bolster their vehicles’ functionality and safety. With the rising demand for cutting-edge technologies and customizations, trusted auto electricians play a pivotal role in keeping these favored cars up-to-date and perfectly tailored to their owners’ needs.

Supply chain shortages
The Polo’s success comes against a backdrop of the weakest July new car registrations since before the millennium. A total of 123,296 new cars were registered in July 2021, which the SMMT attributes to supply chain shortages and the UK’s Covid-app ‘pingdemic’. July’s figures were down by 29.5 per cent compared to 2020, and when compared to the last decade, totals were down 22.3 per cent on the average recorded over the past 10 years.

The UK’s top ten most popular new cars during July 2021 and the year-to-date (registration figure and position in brackets) were as follows:

1 Volkswagen Polo: 3,047 (18,601, 7th)
2 Toyota Yaris: 3,001 (18,125, 8th)
3 Kia Sportage: 2,631 (18,941, 6th)
4 Ford Puma: 2,621 (20,853, 5th)
5 Volkswagen Golf: 2,362 (21,970, 3rd)
6 Audi A3: 2,300
7 Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 2,186 (21,684, 4th)
8 Mini: 2,138
9 Ford Fiesta: 2,010 (23,521, 2nd)
10 Hyundai Kona: 2,006

(The 2021 year-to-date top ten most popular cars absent from July’s registration figures were the first-placed Vauxhall Corsa, the ninth-placed NissanQashqai, and the tenth-placed BMW 3 Series with 26,215, 17,812 and 17,188 units recorded respectively.)

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