By Otsile Kadiege

Since its market introduction in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has been South Africa’s top selling passenger model with over 425 000 units sold across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Volkswagen has refreshed the Polo Vivo with the new front-end design, new infotainment, new seat trim design and enhanced safety features to continue its success in the South African and Sub-Saharan markets. The new Volkswagen Polo Vivo will be available for sale in South Africa in September 2024.

Exterior updates

Exterior features include black painted mirror caps adding a sleek and sophisticated touch to the GT model. New 15 and 16-inch (standard on the Life and Style models) wheels enhance the vehicle’s appeal and driving dynamics. The new headlights, from the Life models, offer improved illumination and a modern look. The exterior features a 2D Volkswagen emblem, a fresh design element, including bumper skin, lower and upper grille with chrome accents, and integrated fog and cornering lights with daytime running lights. An optional Rear-View camera for convenience and safety with a clear view available from the Life derivatives.

New Wheels. From the side, the new Polo can be differentiated by the new alloy wheels. The wheel line-up consists of the standard steel wheels for the Vivo (14-inch) and optional 15-inch Tosa alloy wheel), 15-inch ‘Ubomi’ alloy wheel on the Life models, 16-inch ‘Portago’ for the Style and the 17-inch ‘Mirabeau’ alloy wheel which comes standard in the top of the range GT model.

The updated Polo Vivo is available in the following body paint colours: Solid – Ascot Grey and Pure White. Metallic – Reflex Silver, Reef Blue, Smokey Grey and Wild Cherry Red.

Interior updates

The Vivo, Life, Style and the GT have new interior trims which add exciting ambience and feel into the cabin of the new Polo Vivo. For seamless connectivity and entertainment, the new Polo Vivo now features a new infotainment system with a 9-inch Mirgor radio with four to six speakers (depending on the equipment line) and App-Connect. The seats have been updated with new materials and designs which include front side airbags (standard on the Style and GT) for additionally safety.

Safety and driver assistance features 

Active and passive standard safety features have been enhanced in the new Polo Vivo. Electronic Stability Control (ESC), hill start control, and remote central locking are standard features across the range.

Powertrains

The new Polo Vivo model range is offered with 1.4 and 1.6 MPI four-cylinder and three-cylinder 1.0 TSI petrol engines. The power output of the four-cylinder engines ranges from 55kW to 77kW. These engines are available with 5-speed manual transmissions as standard. The Tiptronic is available with the 77kW 1.6 engine in 6-speed automatic transmission, while the top of the range GT comes with the 1.0TSI 81kW engine in 6-speed manual transmission.

Pricing and warranty

Polo Vivo 1.4 55kW Vivo – R266,600

Polo Vivo 1.4 63kW Life – R288,500

Polo Vivo 1.6 77kW Life Tiptronic – R320,200

Polo Vivo 1.6 77kW Style – R318,000

Polo Vivo 1.0 TSI 81kW GT – R356,000

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo comes standard with a 3-year / 120 000km warranty and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000 km. 5-year / 150 000km engine warranty.