After entering the market back in March 2010, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has tallied up almost 200 000 sales locally, making it the best-selling passenger car in South Africa. A new Polo Vivo came to market earlier this year and it remains a popular choice in the upper end of the budget hatchback segment. Take a look atspecificationand pricing for the new Polo Vivorange below…

With a proudly South African heritage story behind it, the Polo Vivo has been a best-seller for the last 7 years. Manufactured at Volkswagen's plant in Port Elizabeth, the Vivo has won many fans thanks to a combination of space, comfort and affordability. One of the key factors in the Vivo's affordability comes down to the fact that almost 76% of Vivo's parts are sourced locally.

Watch the video below for a detailed review of the new Volkswagen Polo Vivo!

All-new Volkswagen Polo Vivo

The new Polo Vivo is based on the outgoing 5th-generation Polo and some of its features have now made its way into this latest model. Features such as the TSI engine, driver aids and infotainment equipment mean that the Vivo is no longer a basic car. The Polo Vivo is offered in 3 levels of trim including Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. There's also a flagship GT model and Volkswagen recently introduced the higher-riding Polo Vivo Maxx to the local range.

In the budget segment, safety is, in the interested of affordability,less of a priority than in other segments, but this new Polo Vivo features ABS, an alarm and remote central locking as standard. The diminutive Volkswagenis claimed to offer a practical luggage bay too. With the back seats in the upright position, the luggage volume claim sits at 280 litres, but if you fold the bench down, you gain access to 952 litres.

Engines

A 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbopetrol engine with 81 kW powers the range-topping Polo Vivo GT.

There are 3 petrol engines on offer, including a1.0-litre, 1.4-litre and a 1.6-litre. The 2 naturally-aspirated motors are the 1.4 and 1.6while the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder engine is turbocharged. 5-speed manual gearboxes are available for the naturally-aspirated Vivos, while a Tiptronic auto is available in the 77 kW 1.6 derivative. The top-of-the-range GT comes with a 6-speed manual transmission.

Engine outputs

Polo Vivo 1.455 kW/130 Nm

Polo Vivo1.4 63 kW/132 Nm

Polo Vivo 1.6 77 kW/153 Nm

Polo Vivo 1.0 TSI 81 kW/200 Nm

The engines are claimed to be reasonably efficient too. The 1.4 returns 5.7 L/100 km, the uprated 1.4 consumes 5.9 L /100 km and the 77 kW 1.6-litre derivative boasts 6.2 L/100 km (6.1 L/100 km for Tiptronic). At the top of the range is the 1.0-litre turbocharged motor which is claimed to consumejust 4.6 L/100 km.

The cabin of the new Polo Vivo shares many features with the 5th-generation Polo.

Features and Specification

1.4 55 kW Trendline

Interior

3-spoke steering wheelRadio 140G SD/USB/Bluetooth with B-sting/4 SpeakersGearshift knob with leatherette gearshift bootCup holders integrated into centre console‘Traditional’ cloth seat trim

Functional Equipment

Exterior mirrors, manually adjustable from inside, drivers side asphericalFront electric windowsAir-conditionerPower steeringHeight and reach adjustable steering columnFull-size steel spare wheelTinted windows

Exterior

Exterior side mirrors and door handle in blackPainted bumpers in body colour, front and rearRear wiper

Safety and Security

Driver and passenger airbags2 Head restraints front (height adjustable) and rearRear window – heatedABSChild lock on rear doorsISOFIX child seat mounting points

Options

Cruise ControlFloor mats front and rear’Estrada’ 15-inch alloy wheelsSmoker’s packageFront Fog LightsSafety Package (Electronic Stability Control and Tyre Pressure Monitor)‘Vienna’ Leather Trim

1.4 63 kW Comfortline

Same standard features as Trendline plus:

Exterior

Front Fog LightsBody coloured door handles and side mirrors

Interior

‘City’ cloth seat trimMulti-function displayMulti-functioning steering wheel

Functional Equipment

Height adjustable driver seat

Optional Features

Cruise ControlRemovable TowbarStorage Package (Front centre armrest and drawer under driver’s seat)Radio 340G SD/USB/Bluetooth/ App Connect with B-sting/4 SpeakersLeather seatsFloor mats front and rear’Estrada’ 15-inch alloy wheelsSmoker’s packageSafety Package (Electronic Stability Control and Tyre Pressure Monitor)‘Vienna’ Leather Trim

1.6 77 kW Comfortline Tiptronic

Same standard features as Trendline plus:

Interior

‘City’ cloth seat trimHeight adjustable driver’s seatMulti-function displayMulti-functioning steering wheel

Exterior

Mirrors and door handles in body colourFront Fog Lights

Functional Equipment

Radio 140G /MP3/SD Card/USB with 4 speakers

Safety

Safety Package (Electronic Stability Control and Tyre Pressure Monitor)

Optional Features

Cruise ControlRemovable TowbarStorage Package (Front centre armrest and drawer under driver’s seat)Radio 340G SD/USB/Bluetooth/ App Connect with B-sting/4 SpeakersFloor mats front and rear’Estrada’ 15-inch alloy wheelsSmoker’s package‘Vienna’ Leather Trim

1.6 77kW Highline

Same features as Trendline plus

Interior

‘Cable’ cloth seat trimHeight adjustable driver’s seatMulti-function display3-spoke leather multi-functioning steering wheel with aluminium inserts

Exterior

Mirrors and door handles in body colourFront Fog LightsRivazza 16-inch alloy wheels

Functional Equipment

Radio 340G SD/USB/Bluetooth/App Connect with B-Sting/ 6 Speakers

Safety

Safety Package (Electronic Stability Control and Tyre Pressure Monitor)

Optional Features

Cruise ControlRemovable TowbarStorage Package (Front centre armrest and drawer under driver’s seat)Floor mats front and rearSmoker’s package‘Vienna’ Leather Trim

1.0 TSI 81 kW GT

The cabin of the new Volkswagen Polo Vivo GT…

Same standard features as Highline plus:

Interior

‘Space’ cloth seat trimFront sports seats

Exterior

Rear tailgate spoilerGT lettering on the tailgate, front grille and sidesBlack side mouldingSporty single-pipe exhaust system with chrome trim

Functional Equipment

Lowered suspensionSport pedal clusterFloor mats front and rear

Safety

Cruise Control

Optional Features

Removable TowbarStorage Package (Front centre armrest and drawer under driver’s seat)Smoker’s package‘Vienna’ Leather Trim

1.6 77 kW Polo Vivo Maxx

Exterior features

15 mm raised suspension17-inch Canyon alloy wheelsSilver-coloured side mirrorsMaxx badgingSingle-pipe exhaust with chrome tipAluminium roof rails

Interior features

Sport pedalColoured centre consoleFront electric windowsManual air conditioning3-spoke, multifunction steering wheelColour touch radio with SD/USB/Bluetooth snd 6 speakers

Safety features

2 airbagsABS with EBDElectronic Stability Control (ESC)Tyre pressure monitorISOFIX child seat mounts

Volkswagen Polo Vivo Sound Edition

The Polo Vivo Sound Edition is based on the Polo Vivo Comfortline, which is powered by a 1.4-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder engine with 63 kW and 132 Nm. It gets a few upgraded exterior and infotainment upgrades which include:

16" Rivazza Alloys in Anthracite

Radio system "RCD 340G"

Energetic Orange Mirror Covers

Subwoofer + 6 Speakers

Volkswagen Polo Vivo Price in South Africa (June 2020)

After entering the market back in March 2010, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has tallied up almost 200 000 units, making it the best-selling passenger car in South Africa.

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo Hatch comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty and a 6-year Anti Corrosion warranty.A Volkswagen Automotion Maintenance Plan, as well as a Volkswagen Automotion Service Plan, are available as options. The service interval is 15 000 km. There are a choice of 6 colours:Pure White,Flash Red,Deep Black Pearlescent,Reflex Silver Metallic,Reef Blue Metallic andLimestone Grey Metallic.

1.4 55 kW Trendline – R207 500

1.4 63 kW Comfortline – R219 700

1.4 63 kW Sound Edition – R235 700

1.6 77 kW Comfortline Tiptronic – R253 300

1.6 77 kW Highline – R247 700

1.6 77 kW Vivo Maxx – R257 000

1.0 TSI 81 kW GT – R281 200

Further reading:

Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 Comfortline (2018) Review

Old Volkswagen Polo vs new Polo Vivo: How different are they?

5 Alternatives to the New VW Polo Vivo

Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2014) Review

Volkswagen Polo Vivo GTS (2016) Review

5 New Hatchbacks to Look Forward to in 2018

Global NCAP and AA Crash Test Popular Cars in SA

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