Updated Volkswagen Polo on sale now

The Volkswagen Polo is one of the best small cars currently available and it’s now been improved for 2022. 

The new Polo gets revised looks and all cars now come with self-drive tech. Mechanical changes mean the Polo GTI should now be even better to drive. 

New Volkswagen Polo price & release date

The new Volkswagen Polo is on sale now with prices starting from £17,885 for a Life model, while Style and R-Line models cost £20,785. The hot hatch Polo GTI starts from £26,430.

New Volkswagen Polo specifications

The Volkswagen Polo Life is tasked with taking on entry-level versions of the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Toyota Yaris. That said, it doesn’t sound very ‘entry level’.

Life models now get autonomous driving aids as standard, so the Polo can brake, accelerate and steer itself autonomously. You also now get bright-shining LED headlights, a big eight-inch infotainment screen, a digital instrument binnacle that’s the same size, a brace of USB ports in the front and the back, auto wipers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus wing mirrors that fold out the way when the car is parked.

You can have your Life-trimmed Polo with a basic 80PS petrol engine and manual gearbox or – as we would recommend – with VW’s 95PS, turbocharged version of the same engine, which offers nippy performance and excellent miles per gallon. The 95PS model is available with a five-speed manual gearbox or an optional seven-speed DSG.

Next-level-up Style models can only be had in combination with the 95PS engine and a five-speed manual gearbox – the automatic gearbox being a strange omission on the car billed as the ‘luxury’ Polo by VW.

There’s not much else to complain about. Standard kit includes Matrix LED headlights – that mean you can use your full beams in oncoming traffic without blinding others – and 16-inch alloy wheels. Inside, you get a 10.5-inch digital instrument binnacle, two-zone climate control and built-in sat-nav. 

While Syle is the luxury trim level, R-Line gives your Polo sporty touches including unique 16-inch alloy wheels and a beefy body kit. Equipment includes the 10.5-inch digital instrument binnacle, two-zone climate control and auto-dipping headlights, but not the style model’s fancy matrix LEDs. 

R Line models come with the 95PS petrol engine, with or without an automatic gearbox, or you can have the same engine in 110PS specification, which is only available with the automatic.

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Volkswagen Polo GTI 2022 updates

With an updated Polo comes an updated 2022 Volkswagen Polo GTI, which is good news if you’re after a quick small hatchback that’s a pleasure to live with everyday.

Unlike the standard model, the GTI gets mechanical updates – including thicker anti roll bars and uprated suspension components – to go with its new looks and boosted equipment levels. As a result you can expect it to feel more assured in corners as it competes with the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST and Hyundai i20 N. 

As before, the Polo GTI’s power comes from a 207PS 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that gets it from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds on to a 149mph top speed.

Standard kit has been boosted to include matrix LED headlights, the 10.5-inch digital instrument binnacle, a new centre airbag and climate control. 

As well as the new looks, you can now also have your GTI with a black roof to contrast its Pure White, Deep Black Pearl, Kings Red Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic or Smokey Grey Metallic paint finishes. 

Find a used Volkswagen Polo for sale

With an updated Volkswagen Polo on sale, now could be an excellent time to get a good deal on the old model. Okay, so it misses out on some of the updated car’s extra tech, but the old Polo is still one of the best small cars you can buy, with nippy engines, unnerving comfort and an interior that can swallow four tall adults without complaint. Around £12,000 is enough to get you an SE model with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 16-inch wheels that mean it rides like a small executive car.  VW’s excellent 95PS petrol engine, meanwhile, has plenty of power where you need it and will happily return more than 50mpg. 

• Find a used Volkswagen Polo for sale

Looking for more new car news?

Click on for the latest on the Mazda CX-60 and Renault Austral new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer and the Alfa Romeo Tonale.