Behold: it’s the facelifted 2022 Volkswagen Polo

By topgear, 22 April 2021

Welcome one and all to the newly facelifted Volkswagen Polo. And yes, before you ask, there will be a new Polo GTI. Not until 2022 though, so back to the standard car for now…

Unsurprisingly it looks much the same as the existing sixth-gen Polo that’s been with us since 2017. You can tell the new one apart by its new head- and taillights, full-width DRL and reprofiled bumpers.

Pictured here in schporty R-Line trim, in which the updated car looks its newest, the facelifted Polo is set to arrive in the UK towards the end of this year.

The big news is all tech. The new Polo gets LED headlights and taillights as standard, but you can upgrade to clever ‘Matrix’ LEDs up front. Moreover you can specify VW’s ‘Travel Assist’ driver aid that bundles together adaptive cruise control and lane-assist to keep you a set distance from the car ahead and centred in your lane. Clever stuff for a supermini.

Inside there’s a new steering wheel – with actual buttons, not touch-sensitive panels like the Golf’s – and VW’s latest-gen connected infotainment system. Some versions get the touch-sensitive climate controls from the new Tiguan and Arteon.

There’s only one engine – a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol with 80, 95 or 110hp. Manual and DSG automatic gearboxes are available.

VW has realigned the Polo range – the entry-level trim is called ‘Life’, then you’ve got ‘Style’ and ‘R-Line’. We’re promised standard spec is generous regardless of which one you go for.

STORY Tom Harrison

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