Driven: 2021 Volkswagen Polo Vivo Mswenko
It’s admired by many. Good pricing, a reputation for reliability and durability and unrivalled build quality has made it one of South Africa’s favourites. Volkswagen’s solid reputation in South Africa alone would warrant a visit to your nearest dealership. Add their immense dealer network into the mix and you can see why the Polo Vivo sells in droves. But the ubiquity of VW’s smallest offering, combined with the conservative design, has made the popular Polo Vivo slightly invisible.
To combat this, Volkswagen South Africa recently revealed the Mswenko special edition. To differentiate it from the rest of the range, the unique derivative is kitted out with a few styling details. Aside from ‘Mswenko’ decals which run along the side of the car, unique 16-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, and chrome exhaust tip. A black-painted roof further distinguishes this from the rest of the range.
The interior hasn’t been forgotten, either. While the bare bones will be familiar to anyone who’s driven (or been driven in) a Polo Vivo, there are rather stylish details to be found all over the cabin. The most obvious being the vividly-coloured seats. Cloth-trimmed and supportive, the funky seats are a combination of white, charcoal and Ocean Blue. This certainly brightens up the otherwise sombre interior.
To liven up the soft-touch facia, VW has included silver, aluminium-look trim to the Vivo’s dash. Not only does this add an element of sophistication to what is a budget car, but a sporty streak too. You won’t want for features, either. Mswenko comes standard with six speakers, Volkswagen’s App-Connect as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake. Optional extras include LED headlamps (R14,850) and Park Distance Control (R2700).
Of course, front electric windows, central locking, and dual front airbags are standard. Space is impressive for the Polo’s size. There is adequate space for four adults and their luggage, although taller passengers seated in the rear may want for more legroom. Boot space is excellent, offering up 280 litres (a whopping 952 with the rear seats folded down).
Mswenko is powered by the familiar 1.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine which produces 63 kW and 132 Nm of torque. It may not sound like much, but the Vivo copes in town admirably. This is in no small part down to the slick-shifting five-speed manual gearbox. Undoubtedly, it’s one of the smoothest shifting ‘boxes in its class.
The Vivo feels more refined and grown-up than most cars in its class. The driving experience itself, while slightly anodyne, inspires confidence. Even at highway speeds, the Vivo feels competent and planted, doing a good impression of a far bigger car. Frugality is also a talent of the Vivo - Volkswagen claims an average fuel consumption of just 5.9 L/100 km, which is achievable. Over our time with the Mswenko, we averaged between 6.2 - 6.5 L/100 km.
Verdict
The Polo Vivo is one of those cars that is hugely competent in a number of areas. Not only is it practical and economical, but in the case of this special-edition Mswenko, desirable for entry-level consumers. Throw in the aforementioned dealer network, fabulous build quality, and decent safety spec, and it’s clear to see why the Vivo sells so well. Points must be taken away, however, for the lack of a standard service plan(it remains an option). Eye-catching the Mswenko may be, we feel that there is more value to be found in the cheaper Comfortline model. At R235,000, it’s R12,700 cheaper than the Mswenko and manages to offer nearly as much equipment.
Also worth a look: the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Touareg.
FAQ
Q: What does the 2021 Volkswagen Polo Vivo Mswenko cost in South Africa?
The 2021 Volkswagen Polo Vivo Mswenko is priced from around R280,000 to R320,000 depending on the specific variant and dealer, making it one of the more affordable special editions in the local market.
Q: Is the Polo Vivo Mswenko worth buying over the standard Polo Vivo?
The Mswenko is worth considering if you want to stand out from the crowd of standard Polo Vivos, as the unique styling touches, colourful interior, and 16-inch alloys add personality for a relatively small premium over the base model.
Q: What engine does the Polo Vivo Mswenko use and how reliable is it?
The Mswenko uses Volkswagen's proven 1.4-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing around 63kW, which has built a solid reputation for reliability and durability over many years in South African conditions.
Q: How fuel efficient is the Volkswagen Polo Vivo Mswenko?
The Polo Vivo Mswenko delivers excellent fuel economy of around 6.0 litres per 100km in mixed driving conditions, making it one of the most economical cars you can buy for daily commuting.
Q: What warranty does Volkswagen offer on the Polo Vivo Mswenko?
Volkswagen backs the Polo Vivo Mswenko with their standard 3-year/120,000km warranty plus a 2-year/30,000km service plan, giving you solid peace of mind for your investment.
Should You Buy It?
The best entry-level car with personality under R320,000 in South Africa is definitely the Volkswagen Polo Vivo Mswenko. This special edition transforms the otherwise invisible standard Polo Vivo into something that actually turns heads, thanks to its funky Ocean Blue and white seats, black roof, and unique alloy wheels. At around R300,000, you're getting Volkswagen's legendary build quality, extensive dealer network, and proven reliability, but with enough style to stand out in the parking lot at Mall of Africa. The 1.4-litre engine might not set your pants on fire, but it'll sip fuel like a pensioner nursing a beer at the local pub. If you want a reliable, economical daily driver that doesn't look like every second car on the N1, the Mswenko is absolutely worth buying.
