Restyled Volkswagen Polo test (2021): something new with the best

The Polo is the best-selling Volkswagen in France. Its restyled version is available in September 2021.

The Polo 6 benefits from a refresh on the outside and more technology on the inside for its restyling. With its R-Line finish and 110 hp TSI engine, the Volkswagen is playing the little Golf. Ease of use in addition.

Test car: Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 110 hp R-Line DSG7

Gasoline engine | Power: 110 ch
Launch: October 2021
See the technical sheet

From€ 25,915

no bonus
no penalty

At the world championship of invisible resylages, Volkswagen is often in a good place. Not this time, because the Polo 6 is undergoing an indisputable aesthetic evolution with its new shields and its redesigned light signature. It even has a new LED strip running on its grille when it’s dark, like the Golf 8. The rear offers an even more profound change and also refers to the big sister with more imposing light units that bite on the tailgate . Volkswagen’s iconic city car (45 years of history and 18 million copies sold all the same) is counting on this restyling to get back in the saddle because the tough competition in its segment has pushed it beyond the top 5 in France, behind the 208, Clio, Sandero C3 and Yaris.

volkswagen polo CO2 malus — The rear lights of the Polo imitate those of the Golf 8. The indicators are scrolling.

Last figure which shows the stake of this launch for the brand: the Polo is the best-selling Volkswagen in France with 24% of orders. To complete its panoply of novelties, the city car is strengthening its technology with the arrival of 100% LED lights (front and rear) on all finishes, scrolling rear indicators, Matrix headlamps still rare in this segment (the beam in road adapts so as not to dazzle other users) and the capacitive steering wheel so practical on the motorway once Travel Assist is engaged. Finally, the needles of the counter go to the cupboard since all Polo now receive the digital cockpit.

Volkswagen Polo 2021 prices

volkswagen polo matrix led headlights — New light signature for the Polo with double LED stripe.

volkswagen polo 2021 led taillights — The two-part tail lights bite into the tailgate.

You don’t come to Volkswagen to find a great price, and the Polo always requires a financial effort compared to the competition. Its prices now range between 18,015 and 25,915 € in association with the three gasoline engines of 80, 95 and 110 hp. In exchange, the standard equipment gives a smile because the endowment, already complete in Life, becomes very generous in Style (see all the standard equipment on page 2). Our test polo shirt in TSI 110 DSG7 R-Line takes the equipment of the Style and adds a more sporty score in its interior and exterior presentation. Shield, grille, lower body, roof spoiler and upholstery benefit in particular. Its price points to € 25,915. On this level, it deserves its nickname of little Golf. And on the road?

Driving

The Polo is above all an ideal installation behind the wheel thanks to very good seats, ample adjustments and impeccable ergonomics. On this last point, it has something to make nostalgic customers past the Golf 8, whose all-touch makes the use less obvious. It is therefore easy to find its marks here with a unit dedicated to air conditioning, but also a multimedia interface with a responsive screen and fairly simple menus. Status quo in terms of handling and the same for driving. The restyled Polo takes back its chassis without modification on the running gear or the steering.

The German retains its positioning focused on versatility with good comfort, even fitted with 17-inch rims as standard in the R-Line livery. The smooth and natural steering enhances the ride, and the behavior is sufficiently responsive. But nothing sporty here, moreover the suspension is rebounding as soon as the pace becomes too fast, even with the optional Sport pack which equipped our model (chassis lowered by 15 mm). The silence on board is worthy of the superior category. The 1.0 TSI engine contributes to the cozy atmosphere thanks to its smooth and vibration-free operation which sets it apart from other three-cylinder units in this category.

volkswagen polo restyled road test — At the wheel of the Polo 2021

volkswagen polo petrol TSI — VW Polo TSI 110 R-Line

Taking advantage of the latest evolution, arrived shortly before the restyling (EA 211 Evo), the 1.0 TSI is equipped with a variable geometry turbo and Miller cycle. Its performance is reflected in consumption, very reasonable, but its performance is somewhat mitigated by the DSG7 gearbox too slow, especially on the first reports. To remedy this, do not hesitate to switch the gear lever to Sport mode, not at all cartoonish and which makes the box more alert. If the 1.0 TSI is the best in its category (the 1.2 PureTech 100 of a Peugeot 208 is more vibrant, the 1.0 TCe of a Renault Clio less alert), a pity all the same that Volkswagen has dismissed its Polo from its business. ‘electrification. Because a hybridization, even slight, would have brought even more pleasure, as on board the Golf 8 eTSI 110 equipped with the same unit.

On board

volkswagen polo interior — The design of the furniture does not change. The Polo 2021 dashboard remains legible and the ergonomics well thought out. The central band gains a slightly more qualitative grain, but the hard plastics are still too present.

volkswagen polo digital cockpit — No more needles! With the restyling, all Polo receive the digital cockpit.

volkswagen polo capacitive steering wheel — The new steering wheel, pleasant to handle, can be equipped with the capacitive function.

volkswagen polo digital air conditioning — The unit dedicated to air conditioning becomes tactile from the Style finish.

volkswagen polo charger induction — Induction charging is optional at 130 €.

volkswagen polo 2021 rear seat — The space at the rear is a strong point of the Polo in its class.

volkswagen polo 2021 trunk — The very spacious trunk is a benchmark in the city car category.

Competetion

In its R-Line definition with 110 hp engine and DSG7 gearbox, the Polo is aimed at those looking for a chic city car with design and performance. A niche also occupied by the Peugeot 208 PureTech 100 EAT8 GT Pack, whose price is no sweeter than at Volkswagen: € 26,500 without improving on equipment. The Renault Clio comes with a price that hurts less to the head, 25,400 € in 1.3 TCe 140 RS Line, a more efficient four-cylinder engine and a sporty livery as well. But in return it must do without the automatic gearbox, and its technological equipment is less complete than those of the Polo R-Line and 208 GT Pack.

Discover the results of the test, the technical sheet and the options on the next page.