The littlest Volkswagen on sale in Australia has new looks, new technology, and a new, higher price tag.

    The 2022 Polo hatchback will hit dealers in May, with prices starting at $25,250 before on-road costs for the Polo Life manual and extending to $38,750 before on-roads for the Polo GTI.

    That means the price of a base, 70kW manual model has risen by just shy of $5000 compared to the 2021 model, while the Polo GTI now costs more than $40,000 with metallic paint and its two options boxes ticked.

    Volkswagen says the price hike has been offset by a more generous list of standard inclusions borrowed from its more expensive cars.

    Even the base Polo now features a central airbag, lane-keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, wireless phone charging, and a digital instrument cluster.

    Price

    • 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life manual: $25,250
    • 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life: $28,250
    • 2022 Volkswagen Polo Style: $31,250
    • 2022 Volkswagen Polo GTI: $38,750

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Engines

    Power in the Polo comes from carryover engines in Australia.

    The base Polo Life with a five-speed manual features a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 70kW of power and 175Nm of torque.

    Moving to the Polo Life or Polo Style with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission gets you a more powerful turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine making 85kW and 200Nm.

    The range-topping Polo GTI is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 147kW and 320Nm, mated with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

    All models are front-wheel drive.

    Fuel Economy

    Both 70kW and 85kW models use a claimed 5.4 litres per 100km on the combined cycle, while the Polo GTI uses a claimed 6.5 litres per 100km.

    All models drink 95 RON premium unleaded.

    Dimensions

    The Volkswagen Polo measures 4074mm long, 1751mm wide and 1439mm tall, with a 2564mm wheelbase.

    Boot space with the rear seats in place is 351 litres across the range, including the GTI.

    Safety

    The Volkswagen Polo has a five-star rating from ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2017.

    It received an adult occupant protection score of 96 per cent, a child occupant protection score of 85 per cent, a pedestrian protection score of 76 per cent, and a safety assist score of 59 per cent.

    A standard equipment boost means all 2022 Volkswagen Polo models come standard with the following safety features. New additions to the standard equipment list are in bold:

    • Front, front-side, central, and curtain airbags
    • Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
    • Lane-keep assist
    • Reversing camera
    • Driver fatigue detection
    • Front and rear parking sensors

    Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are part of an options package on the base Polo Life, and standard on the Style and GTI.

    Servicing and warranty

    The Volkswagen Polo is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

    Volkswagen offers three- and five-year servicing plans for its cars.

    Pricing for the 2022 range hasn’t been confirmed, but the 2021 model can provide a guide.

    The Life and Style equivalents in the pre-update range cost $1050 to service for three years and $1900 for five, while the Polo GTI cost $1200 and $2300 for three and five years respectively.

    Standard Equipment

    Standard equipment on the Polo Life includes:

    • 8.0-inch digital instrument binnacle
    • 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio
    • Wireless phone charging
    • Parking sensors, front and rear
    • Reversing camera
    • Cruise control (not adaptive)
    • LED head- and tail lights
    • 15-inch alloy wheels
    • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
    • Comfort cloth seat trim
    • Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers
    • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
    • Front centre armrest

    The Vision & Tech Package ($1700 on Life DSG) adds:

    • Satellite navigation
    • Digital Cockpit Pro (10.25-inch driver display)
    • Voice control
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Blind-spot monitor
    • Rear cross-traffic alert

    Moving to the Polo Style brings:

    • Comfort sports front seats
    • Digital Cockpit Pro
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Rear cross-traffic alert
    • Automatic reverse parking assist
    • Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beam
    • Premium LED tail lights with scrolling indicators
    • Dual-zone climate control
    • 16-inch alloy wheels
    • Front fog lights
    • Interior ambient lighting

    The Sound & Tech Package ($1900) adds:

    • Satellite navigation
    • Voice control
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Keyless entry and start
    • Six-speaker Beats audio

    A panoramic glass sunroof is $1500 on the Polo Style and the Polo GTI.

    The range-topping Polo GTI features:

    • GTI body trim and metallic paint
    • Tartan interior trim
    • Alarm system
    • Keyless entry and start
    • 18-inch alloy wheels
    • Adaptive suspension and drive mode selection
    • Satellite navigation
    • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Voice control
    • Sport seats
    • Sport steering wheel and paddles

    The Sound & Tech package ($1500) brings a 9.2-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, and the same six-speaker Beats sound system as the Style.

    MORE: Everything Volkswagen Polo

    Overseas model pictured throughout.

    Scott Collie

    Scott Collie is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne, Australia. Scott studied journalism at RMIT University and, after a lifelong obsession with everything automotive, started covering the car industry shortly afterwards. He has a passion for travel, and is an avid Melbourne Demons supporter.

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