2021 Volkswagen Polo: Prices and specs confirmed

The Volkswagen Polo has received a mid-life refresh. It gets tweaked styling to match the latest Golf, new driver aids and a revised petrol engine line-up.

Here’s what you need to know.

Volkswagen Polo exterior

On the outside, changes are most notable at the front and rear. The grille now features a full-width light bar akin to the new Golf, with a new set of LED headlights to match. They get an upswept design too, while the grille itself is flatter than before.

At the rear, it’s difficult to tell it apart from the Golf. It gets the same distinctive tail lights that appear to mould neatly into the boot lid. Depending on specification there’s a neat rear diffuser too that incorporates twin exhaust tips.

All models come with at least 15in alloy wheels, with several new designs available along with four new paint colours.

Volkswagen Polo interior

The inside will be more familiar to those driving the existing Polo, but there are changes. There’s been a steering wheel design change, while all versions now feature that vivid 10in driver display.

The latest version of Volkswagen’s infotainment system is used, operated via an 8in touchscreen unit. It’s compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

An optional Travel Assist pack is now available, which ushers in some semi-autonomous tech. It allows the car to accelerate, brake and steer when on motorways.

Volkswagen Polo drivetrains

Four engine and gearbox configurations are available across the standard Polo line-up – all 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines, ranging in power output from 80 PS to 110 PS.

A five-speed manual gearbox accompanies the entry-level 80 PS, 93Nm unit, while the 95 PS, 175Nm power plant is available with both 5-speed manual and 7-speed DSG transmissions.

The range-topping 110 PS, 200Nm engine is available exclusively with the 7-speed DSG, and ahead of the Polo GTI, is the most rapid Polo in the range, taking 10.4 seconds to reach 62 mph.

Volkswagen Polo release date

The range starts at £17,885 with the Polo Life, and moving up into a two-pronged structure of comfort-focused Style and sportily-designed R-Line specifications, both priced from £20,785. The high-performance Polo GTI will arrive at a later date.

We’ll bring you the very best leasing plans as soon as they are available. However, if you’re not too bothered about leasing the latest Polo, it might be worth checking out the current model to see if you can get yourself a bargain.