Review: Volkswagen Mk.5 Polo (2010-17)

Review: Volkswagen 6R Polo (2010-14)

Overview

Released in May 2010, the Volkswagen 6R Polo was available as a three- or five-door hatchback. The front-wheel drive VW 6R Polo range consisted of three variants (1.4i, 77TSI and 66TDI) and two editions (Trendline and Comfortline). In November 2010, the range was expanded with the five-door GTI. Imports of the three-door 1.4i variants were discontinued in October 2011, with five-door models released in February 2012. Within the regular Mk.5 Polo range, the three-door models were built in Navarra, Spain, and the five-door models in Uitenhage, South Africa; the Polo GTi, however, was produced in Spain.

Body and dimensions

Standard Compared to the Volkswagen Mk.4 Polo, the Mk.5 Polo had redesigned MacPherson front and semi-independent rear suspension with new strut bushes and wider track (front and rear); the front wheels were also moved forward for greater caster angle and directional stability. For the five-door hatchback, the Mk.5 Polo body was 36 mm longer (at 3952 mm), had a 16 mm longer wheelbase (2470 mm), was 32 mm wider (1682 mm) and 11 mm lower (1454 mm).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen 6R Polo included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, hill start assist and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The 6R Polo was also fitted with an electronic differential lock which could work with the stability control system to minimise understeer by redirecting torque between the front wheels.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a VW 6R Polo 77TSI five-door hatchback received a five star safety rating which included a 90 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver, the latter attributable to the steering column posing a risk to the driver’s femurs. The Polo scored 15.98 out of 16 in the side impact test, though chest protection was rated as marginal in the pole test. Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 34.96 out of 37.

Features: Polo Trendline and Comfortline

Standard features for the three-door Polo Trendline included 14-inch steel wheels, a six speaker sound system with CD player with MP3 input, air conditioning, cooled glovebox, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted windows, cargo cover, a 12 volt power outlet and an immobiliser.

The five-door Polo Comfortline was further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, cruise control with speed alert, front centre armrest, steering wheel audio controls, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, a height adjustable front passenger seat and multi-function trip computer.

Features: Polo GTi

Compared to the Comfortline, the Polo GTi was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels with painted brake calipers, contoured sports seats, steering wheel gearshift paddles, front fog lamps, driving lamps, under-floor storage compartments and tyre pressure monitoring. 

February 2012: Polo update

In February 2012, standard Polo features were extended to include Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, a Media Drive Interface (MDI) USB audio connection and daytime driving lights. Furthermore, the Polo GTi gained a climate control air conditioning, rain-sensing wipers, a touchscreen for the audio system and an automatically dimming rear-view mirror.

Brochures

• Brochure: Volkswagen 6R Polo (March 2012)
• Brochure: Volkswagen 6R Polo (April 2013)

Related links

• Press Kit: Volkswagen 6R Polo (May 2010)
• Specifications: Volkswagen 6R Polo (May 2010)
• Press Kit: Volkswagen 6R Polo GTi (October 2010)

Review: Volkswagen 6C Polo (2014-17)

Overview

Released in August 2014, the Volkswagen 6C Polo range initially consisted of five-door 66TSI and 81TSI hatchbacks, both of which were available in Trendline and Comfortline editions. In April 2015, the range was expanded with the introduction of the Polo GTi.

For the Polo 66TSI and 81TSI variants, the 1.2-litre turbocharged engines had a Start/Stop function which enabled them to shut down when the vehicle was stationary to reduce fuel consumption. Other fuel saving measures included the introduction of brake energy recuperation (i.e. increased alternator voltage during coasting and braking) and electromechanical power steering.

Visually, the VW 6C Polo could be identified by its redesigned bumpers and new headlights. Inside, there was a new audio system (Volkswagen’s ‘Composition Colour’) with a five-inch colour touch screen.

In August 2017, the Volkswagen 6C Polo range was revised as the Trendline and Comfortline editions were replaced by the Urban and Urban+, respectively.

Safety equipment

Compared to its 6R predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Volkswagen 6C Polo was extended to include a Multi-Collision Braking System which automatically applied the vehicle’s brakes after a collision to prevent a secondary collision. The system, however, would be overridden if the driver depressed the accelerator.

Features: Polo Trendline and Comfortline

Standard features for the Polo Trendline included 15-inch steel wheels with 185/60 R15 tyres, Volkswagen’s ‘Composition Colour’ audio system with six speakers, a CD player, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/SD card), MP3/WMA compatibility, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, and a five-inch colour touch screen, air conditioning, cloth upholstery, daytime driving lights, a rear fog lamp, 40/60 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a height adjustable driver’s seat, a 12 volt power socket, cargo cover and an immobiliser.

The Polo Comfortline was further equipped with 15-inch ‘Estrada’ alloy wheels with 185/60 R15 tyres, ‘Comfort’ cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a height adjustable front passenger’s seat, illuminated vanity mirrors, height adjustable front armrest, front seatback pockets and a trip computer. The trip computer also included Volkswagen’s ‘Think Blue’ trainer which monitored use of the accelerator, brakes and gear shifting to provide advice on more efficient driving.

Inside, the Polo Comfortline was distinguished by its chrome highlights for the parking brake lever, steering wheel, air vents, instruments, door trim, air conditioning and light switches. Outside, the Comfortline had chrome highlights for the lower air intake and headlights.

Features: Polo GTi

Relative to the Trendline, the VW Polo GTi added 17-inch ‘Parabolica’ alloy wheels with 215/40 R17 tyres, Volkswagen’s ‘Composition Media’ system with a 6.5-inch colour touch screen, climate control air conditioning, ‘Clark’ sports cloth trim, sports seats with additional bolstering, front fog lights with static cornering function, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, black headlining, tyre pressure monitoring, drawers under the front seats and an alarm system. Polo GTi models with the DSG were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.

Visual cue for the 6C Polo GTi included body-coloured lower front spoiler, radiator grille with black honeycomb inserts, black finish side sill panel extensions, rear roof spoiler, darkened tail-light clusters and dual chrome exhaust pipes.

MY16 Polo

Available from July 2015, standard features for the ‘MY16’ Polo were extended to include a 6.5-inch ‘Composition Media’ high-resolution touch screen display, ‘App-Connect’ USB interface for enhanced smartphone connectivity (including access to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink) and a rear view camera.

The Polo GTi was fitted with ‘Sport Select’ suspension which consisted of electronically-controlled dampers. By pushing the ‘Sport’ button, the driver could engage firmer damper settings, increased steering weight, increase engine noise via the sound actuator and greater throttle response.

2016 Volkswagen Polo 81TSI Comfortline ‘beats’

Released in Australia in October 2016, the Volkswagen Polo 81TSI Comfortline ‘beats’ had a sound system that was co-developed with Beats Electronics. The 300 watt sound system had two tweeters, two woofers and two full-range speakers, a subwoofer and an eight-channel amplifier. The 81TSI Comfortline ‘beats’ was also supplied with a set of red ‘beats’ Solo²headphones.

Visual cues for the Volkswagen Polo 81TSI Comfortline ‘beats’ included 16-inch ‘Syenit’ alloy wheels, a high-gloss black radiator grille, contrasting door mirrors, a two-colour ‘beats’ decal on the lower body side, ‘beats’ badging on the B-pillar and darkened tail-lights. Australian deliveries of the Volkswagen Polo 81TSI Comfortline ‘beats’ were limited to four hundred vehicles.

August 2017 update: Polo Urban and Urban+

As noted above, the Polo Trendline and Comfortline editions were replaced by the Urban and Urban+ editions in August 2017. Compared to the Polo Trendline, the Polo Urban was further equipped with 15-inch ‘Tosca’ alloy wheels, illuminated vanity mirrors, a Multi-Function Display (MFD) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, parking brake and gearshift knob.

Relative to the Polo Comfortline, the Polo Urban+ added 16-inch ‘Portago’ alloy wheels, front sports seats with Alcantara trim, heated front seats, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, front footwell lighting, privacy glass and driver fatigue detection.

As an $1800 option, the Polo Urban+ could be specified with a ‘Driver Assistance Package’ which included Front Assist with City Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, the ‘Discover Media’ navigation system and parking sensors (front and rear).

Optional Driver Comfort Package (Polo Comfortline)

As an extra-cost option, the Polo Comfortline was available with a Driver Comfort Package which included the following –

• Volkswagen’s “Front Assist” ambient traffic monitoring system with City Emergency Braking;
  • Front Assist used a radar sensor integrated in the front of the vehicle to monitor the distance to traffic ahead. Front Assist can precondition the brake system and alert the driver by visual and audible warnings (primary stage) or a brief application of the brakes (secondary stage). If the driver did not react, the brakes would be applied automatically;
  • An extension of the Front Assist system, City Emergency Braking operated at speeds below 30 km/h. If the driver did not react and a collision with an object ahead was imminent, the brake system would be preconditioned and the brakes would be applied automatically to reduce the severity of the collision. If the pedal force applied by the driver was insufficient, the system would automatically apply maximum braking force;
• Adaptive Cruise Control: utilised a radar sensor and automated braking to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead when cruise control is engaged. When ACC was engaged, the vehicle would accelerate up to the preset limit if there is sufficient clear road ahead;
• Volkswagen’s ‘Driver Fatigue Detection System’;
• A high definition rear view camera;
• Climate control air conditioning;
• Automatic headlights;
• Rain-sensing wipers; and,
• Tyre pressure monitoring.

Brochure

• Brochure: Volkswagen 6C Polo (August 2014)
• Brochure: Volkswagen 6C Polo (August 2017)

Related links

• Specifications: Volkswagen 6C Polo (August 2014)
• Specifications: Volkswagen 6C Polo GTi (April 2015)
• Behind the Wheel: 2015 Volkswagen Polo Comfortline Review
• Volkswagen Australia: Volkswagen Polo
• Wikipedia.org: Volkswagen Mk.5 Polo