By Sala Masindane

We recently spent sometime behind the wheel of Volkswagen’s updated Polo Life 1.0 TSI DSG. Having driven the similar model with a 5-speed manual transmission, which left us very impressed, the DSG has big shoes to fill.

Vibrant exterior, modish interior

The updated exterior styling is bolstered by its eye-catching Vibrant Violet Metallic body paint, optional and popular panoramic sunroof as well as IQ. Light LED matrix headlamps. Inside, the refreshed Polo features a 6-speaker Beats sound system and the automaker’s Discover Media Infotainment system with Navigation, Wireless App-Connect, Voice Control, Inductive Mobile charging.

The cabin is a good space to be in with some soft-touch and plastic materials used across the dashboard, the latter perhaps a tad more than we would like. Nonetheless, the Polo Life is also roomy at the rear and offers decent leg and headroom. This rounded up with Apple CarPlay and Android connectivity.

Options Galore

More optional equipment includes the Comfort Park Package and Safety Package for the DSG. The former adds keyless entry, park assist and rear view camera whilst the latter adds adaptive cruise control with Speed limiter & lane assist, pedestrian monitoring and front assist.

Power and Performance

Compared to its manual sibling, the Polo Life has a more powerful 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine making 85kW/200Nm and it’s paired to a 7-speed DSG. Whether in the city traffic or out in the open road, the Polo Life is calm and responsive when required. It’s also composed, and fuel efficient. You won’t be running to the nearest filling station at most times. Our stint yielded an impressive return of 5.6l/100km against a claimed 5.4 l/100km.

The Polo Life 1.0 TSI DSG is still a solid product which may have gone pricier and it is no longer the entry point to the brand. Be that as it may, it still ticks a lot of boxes. Pricing for the updated Volkswagen Polo Life 1.0 TSI DSG starts at R374,400.