2021 Volkswagen Polo Review

The Volkswagen Polo is a five-seat mini hatchback that has been in production for six generations, from 1975 to the present day. The sixth generation VW Polo was unveiled in 2017 and is still in production today.

The VW Polo is one of the best mini hatchbacks in the Kenyan market, offering excellent safety, performance, reliability, and comfort. The build quality is exceptional all around with a well-appointed cabin.

For the sixth generation, the Polo has received a significant increase in interior and cargo space within larger exterior dimensions, together with the debut of new engines, sharper design, new ‘big car’ assistance systems, the use of a new generation of infotainment systems and the global debut of the second generation of Volkswagen’s Active Info Display.

The 2021 VW Polo is available with two engine options; the standard 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine available on the Polo GTI.

The engines are mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The GTI version comes with a 6-speed DSG gearbox.

2021 VW Polo Grades

• VW Polo S- This is the base grade that comes with a choice of 1.0L engines, 14-inch steel rims, a plain steering wheel, a Radio/CD player, and manual A/C.
• VW Polo BlueMotion- This grade comes with 15-inch alloys, start/stop function, battery regeneration, semi-automatic AC, multifunction computer midline display, Bluetooth, tyre pressure indicator, plain steering wheel, and fog lights.
• VW Polo SEL-  This grade comes with a start/stop function, battery regeneration, 16-Inch alloy rims, semi-automatic AC, multifunction computer midline display, USB, Bluetooth, tyre pressure indicator, plain steering wheel, and fog lights.
• VW Polo R-Line- The R-Line comes with 16-inch alloys, R-Line badging, a digital cockpit, Active Info Display, Auto Climate Control with Dual Temp Zones, a Black Headliner, Comfort Sport, Cloth Upholstery – Premium Two- tone, Comfort Seats Front, Digital Amplifier, Digital Cockpit, Discover Media Audio and Sat Nav System, Floor Mats – Front & Rear, Inlays Special.
• VW Polo GTI- This is a sports grade that comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, GTI honeycomb grille and red radiator grille louvers, uniquely shaped front and rear bumpers, 15mm lowered suspension, 17-inch Monza alloy rims, red brake calipers, chrome exhaust twin tailpipe and GTI badging.

2021 Volkswagen Polo Interior, Legroom & Space

The 2021 Polo has a good ergonomic interior design that is better than most of the cars in the B-segment. The build quality is as good as you’ll find this side of prestige vehicles. There are some hard plastics but the overall quality of the Polo is upscale.

There is a lot of kit in the 2021 Polo including a 10.25-inch digital dashboard and VW’s Discover Nav infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,  a pair of USB-C ports, and driver fatigue detection.

The cabin space is spacious and accommodates up to 5 people in two rows, the front seats are well padded and there is ample legroom and headroom. The rear seats are also spacious enough for two adults. Three adults will find it cramped.

Cabin Storage

There are several stowage compartments in the cabin, useful for storing items such as smartphones, drinks, goggles, handbags, etc. In the first row, there are 4 cupholders, door panel storage, a stowage compartment, and a glove compartment. In the second row, there are 2 cupholders and stowage compartments in the front seats.

Boot Space

The 2021 Volkswagen Polo has 351 liters of boot space. This is large enough to carry luggage for a family of five. If extra space is needed, the rear seats can be folded down.

Safety Features: SRS Airbags, ABS with HBA(Hydraulic Brake Assist), ESP(Electronic Stabilisation Programme), EDL(Electronic Differential Lock)

2021 Volkswagen Polo Exterior

The 2021 Polo has been redesigned and now looks sportier than its predecessors. The new looks make the Polo look more like the Golf than ever before.

The front end gets LED matrix headlights as standard, IQ lights, a new grille and bumper design, and a light strip that runs the full width of the front end. The nose of the 2021 Polo is sleeker, adding to its sporty profile. The basic Polo comes with 15-inch wheels, while the top-of-the-range R-Line and GTI models get 17-inch wheels. The rear of the Polo has changed significantly, except for the new split taillights that merge with the tailgate and give the Polo a Golf look.

Fuel Consumption

• 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine consumption: 15.3 Km/l on average.
• 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine consumption: 13.5 Km/l on average.

2021 Volkswagen Polo Acceleration

• 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 11.2 seconds
• 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds

2021 Volkswagen Polo Fuel Tank Capacity: 45 Litres

2021 Volkswagen Polo Ground Clearance

The VW Polo has a ground clearance of 6.6 inches(168mm) which is above the minimum recommended ground clearance of 6.5 Inches for Kenyan roads and can be driven comfortably here.

2021 Volkswagen Polo Stability and Handling

The 2021 Polo offers a well-controlled and smooth ride on the motorway. The steering wheel is light, which makes it easier to maneuver through traffic and in parking spaces. The Polo also feels planted thanks to its stability. The Polo steers and corners better than any other hatchback. The well-insulated cabin means it can only be heard from a distance, but it sounds entertaining when passing.

The suspension is well-tuned and firm enough to prevent the body from rolling over when cornering, but drivers may feel the Polo bounces over speed bumps.

The standard 1.0 liter turbocharged petrol engine produces 108 bhp and 175 Nm of torque. It’s a good engine for everyday use, but it won’t win you a drag race. The GTI trim level gets a powerful 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol engine that produces 197 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque.

2021 Volkswagen Polo Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil

Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

2021 Volkswagen Polo Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy

Service parts are fairly priced and shared with the Golf. Body parts on the other hand are expensive and mostly available in Nairobi.

2021 Volkswagen Polo Reliability

The VW Polo is considered to be of average reliability. If well-maintained and serviced, the Polo can go a long way without major problems. However, the Polo is not as forgiving of poor maintenance as some of its Japanese rivals.

We recommend that you maintain your Polo properly to minimize any problems that may arise. Also, read the Polo owner’s manual carefully as it contains important information on the maintenance and operation of the car.

Resale Value: Average

Volkswagen Polo Competitors: Toyota Passo, Nissan March, Mazda Verisa, Toyota Vitz and Mazda Demio

What we like about the 2021 VW Polo

1. Comfortable cabin
2. Fuel efficiency

What we don’t like

1. Engine options are not as powerful

Conclusion

The Volkswagen Polo is an appealing choice for buyers looking for a compact vehicle offering fuel efficiency,  good build quality, and stylish design. It is fun to drive thanks to its well-weighted steering wheel and small size that makes it easy to maneuver through the busy Kenyan roads.

Where to Buy the 2021 Volkswagen Polo in Kenya

If you want to buy the Volkswagen Polo simply give us a call at 0722469360 or email us at info@topcar.co.ke. We have developed a network of trusted dealers in Japan, South Africa, the UK, and Dubai who supply us with exceptionally good quality vehicles. Eliminate middlemen and showroom costs by importing the car with us and saving up to KES 500,000. The import process takes 45-60 days and the car is delivered to your doorstep.