The Volkswagen Polo Life is pricey yet a quality-driven choice
Prashirwin Naidu
For long, the Polo has held the hearts and wallets of consumers quite firmly, dominating the sales charts and being popular amongst our fellow South Africans; yes, of course, you might have the risk of finding your poor Polo on stilts and its wheels removed by thieves, but it's still a great car all-in-all.
The Swiss army knife, so to say, the trendsetter, VW's bread and butter, marvellous, simply gorgeous to look at, the new Polo Life offers the visual appeal and popularity complex.
The new Polo Life strikes an impressive figure. It's like watching the Polo mature into a refined adult, in contrast to its more youthful sibling, the Polo Vivo. The tested model featured LED headlamps and came coated in a vivid Blue Reef Metallic hue, though it lacked the IQ. Lights reminiscent of the Golf 8 GTI and Polo GTI, it still looked fantastic, but it can be added as an optional extra.
Regarded as a status symbol, the Polo's retro design is trendy among enthusiasts who enjoy modifying their cars. But with escalating prices, the Polo might soon become a luxury beyond the average buyer's reach.
Our test model's cabin exuded sophistication, equipped with 16-inch Torsby alloy wheels, a multi-colour Digital cockpit, and a Panoramic sunroof.
The Comfort package included keyless features, park assist, and a Rear view camera system. In contrast, the Radio Composition media package added wireless charging and six speakers, though it lacked navigation and voice control.
However, the optional extras on our test model added R44,350 to the base price of R391,000, totalling R440,350 – a steep price. Yet, the Polo doesn't disappoint in performance. It offers smooth shifts, a responsive motor, and ample power.
It's powered by a 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine pushing 70Kw and 175 NM of torque and paired with a five-speed manual, similar to that in the T-Cross, and offers fair fuel efficiency, achieving figures of 6.6l/100km on highway cruising; urban driving took it up a notch to 7.1l/100km. Despite its small engine, the driving experience is enjoyable.
Its competitors include the Peugeot 208, Renault Clio, Citroën C3, Honda Jazz, and Hyundai i20. However, its price is a significant drawback, especially compared to the more feature-rich and affordable Suzuki Fronx GLX auto for almost R100 000 less than the Polo.
While it offers a premium experience, the Polo's price is its only major downside.
The Polo Life includes a 3-year/120,000km warranty and a 3-year/45,000km service plan.
