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Volkswagen has launched a special limited edition of the Polo to mark the model’s 50th anniversary. The Polo Edition 50 comes with extra equipment, and slots in between the R-Line and Black Edition in the UK. Similar in concept to the Golf Edition 50 that marked the Golf’s 50th birthday in 2024, the Volkswagen Polo Edition 50 is on sale today, 19 June, priced from £26,350 (OTR RRP including VAT).

Limited or special editions of the Polo in the past – of which there have been many, but here we’re thinking early Nineties – have used an array of eye-catching stickers to very good effect to differentiate them from their standard siblings, but the Polo Edition 50 is more upmarket with ‘50’ badges on the B-pillar trim and steering wheel, with ‘EDITION 50’ branding on the aluminium door sill protectors and gloss black dashboard insert panel.

Unique paint colour
There is one extra feature, too: its unique Crystal Blue paint isn’t available on any other Polo model. Harlequin aside, we can’t think of another time since a special edition Polo has had unique paintwork since the run-out Polo 2F Parade of 1994, which could be had in Cerise, Light Blue, Aqua Blue Metallic or Green Metallic. (The special edition Polo Original of 2015 that celebrated 40 years of the Polo could be had in Honey Orange, but that colour was available as standard on its CrossPolo sibling.) Other Polo Edition 50 colours include Deep Black Pearl, Kings Red Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Reflex Silver Metallic, and Smokey Grey Metallic.

Buyers in the UK get many features as standard that are available as part of the extra-cost ‘Plus’ package on Polo Edition 50s sold in Germany, which is based on the Style model. Among them are 17-inch ‘Tortosa’ alloy wheels, a tilt and slide panoramic glass sunroof, keyless entry and start, and two-zone Air Care Climatronic air conditioning. Inside, regardless of market, all Polo Edition 50s receive gloss black decorative cabin inserts – similar to the Polo GTI Edition 25 of 2023 – rear privacy glass, and a rear-view camera.

There is only one drivetrain option in the UK, a 93bhp 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. In Germany, where the Polo Edition 50 opened for ordering on 12 June, buyers can choose an additional 114bhp TSI petrol engine. Both this and the 93bhp unit can be chosen in combination with a seven-speed direct shift DSG gearbox. The 93bhp manual model is priced from 28,200 euros in Germany.

UK’s most popular supermini
As it has been throughout its five decades and six generations, the Polo remains a popular choice for British car buyers. It was the UK’s most popular supermini last year (source: SMMT) and in May 2025, it was the seventh most popular car in the UK, with 2295 units finding new homes.

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Volkswagen has released a family of ‘Move’ special editions in Germany, and the range of new cars are, as VW special edition dictates, loaded with extra equipment and offer more ‘value’ than a comparable ‘regular’ model.

Referencing team sport puns to perhaps tie-in with the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, there is talk of ‘agile city strikers’, ‘versatile family cars in the midfield’, ‘SUV defense’, and rides that ‘become an away victory’. But behind the marketing puff, the Move special editions come out resplendent in a good-looking kit, and are ready to score (sorry) against their competition with their raft of ‘attractive features’. The Polo Move leads Volkswagen’s special edition squad.

Unique paint finish
For a kick-off (oh, let’s allow the football puns to continue!) there are 15-inch ‘Zurich’ gloss black and polished finish alloy wheels, a unique ‘Ivory Silver Metallic’ (€540 extra) paint finish, ‘Move’ door sill and B-pillar trim, darkened rear side windows, and LED daytime running lights. Inside, a ‘Ceramique’ headliner and dashboard panel step things up when compared to a regular Polo Life, Style or R-Line, along with ambient lighting, a multifunction steering wheel, stainless steel pedal covers, and seats which are both heated and covered in special trim made from 100 per cent recycled materials and PET bottles. (All the visible textile surfaces are actually covered in the same sustainable fibres.)

To help drivers keep their cool, 2 Zone Air Care Climatronic climate control is standard, as is a ‘Ready 2 Discover’ 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which plays DAB+, and can be upgraded to a navigation system, through the in-car digital shop. It would appear any standard way of route finding has been given the red card… Brought in from the substitutes’ bench is standard App Connect, though, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, as well as streaming and an internet connection.

The usual comprehensive Polo safety kit is also fielded, the Polo Move also playing automatic lights and wipers, a headlight ‘High Beam Assist’ function, an automatically dimming interior mirror, and parking sensors for when you need to weave your way through tighter spots in the city cut and thrust.

Move more
Specify the Polo Move Plus package and your star player will offer more when it comes to that used car transfer window. The Polo Move Plus features 16-inch ‘Torsby’ alloy wheels (the same design as fitted to the pre-facelift sixth-generation Polo Beats), enhanced ‘Digital Cockpit Pro’ suite of digital driver displays, LED matrix headlights with an illuminated grille strip and dynamic high beam control, LED rear lights, and gloss black exterior mirrors.

Volkswagen states that when compared to an equivalent model – it doesn’t state which, sadly – the Polo Move Plus could save buyers up to €1,800 when all the extra equipment is added up. Priced from €21,690 including VAT, the Polo Move range gets underway with the 1.0-litre 78bhp model, rising through 1.0 TSI 93 and 107bhp versions, with five-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearboxes (the 107bhp unit is only available in automatic form).

Good-looking, and with features vying for star quality, the Polo Move leads its special edition team-mates – including the T-Cross, Taigo, Golf, T-Roc, Tiguan and Touran – out onto the new car playing field. The latest in a long line of sporting related specials, the Volkswagen Move editions look far from scoring an own goal…

2023 VOLKSWAGEN POLO MOVE PRICES (INCLUDING VAT)
Polo Move 1.0 78bhp, five-speed manual €21,690
Polo Move 1.0 TSI 93bhp, five-speed manual €23,520
Polo Move 1.0 TSI 93bhp, seven-speed DSG €25,230
Polo Move 1.0 TSI 107bhp, seven-speed DSG €26,600

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Volkswagen India has launched another special model of the fifth-generation Polo; the Polo Matt Edition is based on the Polo GT, and as its name suggests, is distinguished by its striking matt grey paint finish. A sister saloon model accompanies it, the Vento Matt Edition a new version of the fifth-generation Polo-based saloon.

Powered by Volkswagen’s three-cylinder 1.0 TSI petrol engine with 108bhp mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Polo Matt Edition features 16-inch ‘Portago’ alloy wheels, unique Carbon Steel matt grey paintwork, and gloss black door handles and door mirror caps. It also gets a gloss black rear spoiler atop the tailgate.

The Vento Matt Edition meanwhile – based on the Highline or Highline Plus models – has a neat gloss black boot spoiler with the same body colour options as its Polo sibling, with the exception of the Highline-based car which wears 15-inch ‘Linas’ wheels. Inside, both the Polo and Vento Matt Edition have no upgrades over the cars on which they are based, but standard equipment is high, with a 6.5-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, automatic wipers, and a leather-wrapped sports steering wheel.

Prices for the Polo Matt Edition start at Rs 10.25 lakh (ex-showroom), the Vento Matt Edition offered at Rs 13.36 lakh for the Highline-based variant, rising to Rs 14.79 lakh for the Highline Plus model. For more details on the Polo and Vento Matt Editions, visit the Volkswagen India website here and here.

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Volkswagen UK has released a range of added value Active models, adding yet another option to the popular Polo family. Similar to the United models that went on sale in July 2020, unique ‘Active’ styling details and alloy wheels, and upgraded infotainment options are among the enhanced features offered.

Already on sale in Germany and based on the entry-level Match model, the Polo Active’s extra equipment would add £1,665 RRP to that car’s price tag, yet the Polo Active only costs £700 more. Over the Match, the Polo Active features carpet mats, climate control, a Discover Media Navigation infotainment system with streaming and internet functionality, a winter pack, as well as 15-inch ‘Galway’ alloy wheels.

‘Active’ badging
The newcomer also gains ambient lighting, automatic lights and wipers (as part of the Light & Sight pack), electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors, heated seats, ‘Matt Silver’ interior trim highlights, and stainless steel pedals. Externally, Active models are distinguished by ‘Active’ badging on the B-pillars, and ‘Active’-branded door sill protectors.

The Polo Active is available with a choice of 78bhp 1.0 ‘Evo’ and turbocharged 93bhp 1.0 TSI engines, with five-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearboxes on the more powerful models. Prices begin at £18,100 for the 78bhp version, rising to £20,395 for the 93bhp TSI DSG variant. Alongside the Polo, its closely related T-Cross sibling has also undergone the Active treatment, costing from £21,035. Other Active Volkswagens include the Golf, T-Roc, T-Roc Cabriolet and Tiguan.

VOLKSWAGEN POLO ACTIVE PRICES
Polo Active / 1.0 Evo 78bhp / five-speed manual / 125g/km / 51.3mpg (WLTP) / £18,100
Polo Active / 1.0 TSI 93bhp / five-speed manual / 121g/km / 53.1mpg (WLTP) / £18,945
Polo Active / 1.0 TSI 93bhp / seven-speed DSG / 128g/km / 50.0mpg (WLTP) / £20,395

‘3 months on us’ finance deal
In addition to the new Active models, Volkswagen UK is also offering a ‘3 months on us’ finance deal until 4 May. This gives three months of £0 payments on new eligible stock vehicles, with up to 3.2% APR Representative*. There is also £500-£8,000 towards a deposit contribution**. Visit www.volkswagen.co.uk for full details and T&Cs.

* With Solutions Personal Contract Plan. 3 months on us discount is provided by reducing the standard interest rate. Ordered and delivered by 04/05/2021. Eligible stock vehicles only. 36 to 49 month agreements only. Agreements with a term less than 46 months may receive less than the equivalent of 3 monthly payments. See full T&Cs. Indemnities may be required. Volkswagen Finance.

**Volkswagen deposit contribution range: Up receives £500 deposit contribution, Golf 8 Hatch, T‑Cross and T‑Roc receive £1,250 deposit contribution, Polo receives £1,500 deposit contribution, T‑Roc Cabriolet receives £1,600 deposit contribution, Tiguan receives £2,000 deposit contribution, Golf 8 Estate receives £2,250 deposit contribution, Touran receives £3,600 deposit contribution, Tiguan Allspace receives £3,750 deposit contribution, Passat Saloon and Estate receives £4,000 deposit contribution, Sharan receives £4,200 deposit contribution and Touareg receives £8,000 deposit contribution.

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Volkswagen has announced a range of new Active special edition models that offer more generous equipment levels and unique features. Not to be confused with Ford’s more rugged and Active-branded editions of its standard models, the special VWs are only available on the German market. The Polo Active is just one.

The Polo Active features new 15-inch ‘Galway’ alloy wheels, ‘Active’ badging on the B-pillars, and ‘Active’-branded door sill trims. Inside, there is unique ‘Waveform’ trim, ambient lighting, and stainless steel pedals. The eight-inch ‘Ready 2 Discover’ colour infotainment system comes with DAB+ support as standard for ‘noise-free reception’ without an internet connection. The system can be upgraded to a full navigation set-up at a future date via the in-car shop app.

Active Plus package
Opt for the Active Plus package, 16-inch ‘Sebring’ alloy wheels, black mirror caps, wireless smartphone charging and Digital Cockpit Pro instruments are added. The Polo Active R-Line adds even more, with 17-inch ‘Bonneville’ rims and R-Line-styled bumpers and rear spoiler.

Polo Active prices start at €19,750 for the 78bhp 1.0-litre model. A pair of 1.0 TSI engines with 93bhp come with five-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearboxes and another brace of 1.0 TSIs offer 108bhp, the manual car fitted with six ratios. An 88bhp six-speed 1.0 TGI compressed natural gas (CNG) version rounds out the range, all of which can be ordered on Volkswagen’s German website.

In addition to the Polo, Active editions of the Up, T-Cross, Golf, T-Roc, T-Roc Cabriolet, Tiguan, Touran and Sharan are also available. A five-year warranty is standard on all.

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