Volkswagen Polo Vivo HatchbackShare:
Since arriving in 2010 (as a “replacement” for the beloved Citi Golf), the Polo Vivo has been a sales success story for Volkswagen; it’s consistently ranked among the nation’s top-selling passenger cars.
The success of the Polo Vivo is rooted in the engineering prowess of the previous-gen Polo – a proven and highly regarded product. Unsurprisingly, used Volkswagen Polos are in high demand in Mzansi.
The Polo Vivo is, therefore, an important model for Volkswagen Group Africa – it’s one that the German firm is immensely proud of, and rightfully so. The Polo Vivo is built in South Africa, for South Africa, and is also exported to other African countries, such as Kenya, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Mauritius.
Since 2010, the Polo Vivo (of which each iteration was based on a previous-gen Polo model) has racked up more than 425 000 sales over 14 years, with numerous special edition Polo Vivos coming to market. Remember the 1st-generation Polo Vivo Street or the Polo Vivo Citi: a homage to the original Citi Golf?
The current, 2nd-generation Volkswagen Polo Vivo came to market in 2018. It’s based on the 5th-generation Polo and is built alongside the 6th-generation Polo in the Eastern Cape.
To enhance the Polo Vivo and further entice local buyers, Volkswagen has launched this thoroughly updated model that ushers in refreshed styling, enhanced safety kit, as well as interior improvements.
Importantly, Volkswagen has not increased pricing for this updated Polo Vivo, which should come as a welcome relief for cash-strapped consumers in South Africa (prices are listed lower in the article).
Watch Jacob Moshokoa’s video review of the pre-facelift Polo Vivo GT
The first major change for the Volkswagen Polo Vivo is seen in its naming convention, which now includes the entry-grade Vivo (replaces Trend), mid-spec Vivo Life (replaces Comfortline), high-spec Vivo Style (replaces Highline) and range-topping GT (okay, well, that one remains the same).
In terms of aesthetics, Volkswagen has revised the Polo Vivo’s bumpers and updated the hatchback’s grille and headlamp designs to create a sharper, sportier look. The lower grille section now features wider horizontal ribs flanked by new boomerang trim elements inspired by those of the Polo GTI.
Note how the rounded headlamps have been replaced with more squared-off units; they give the Polo Vivo an edgier look. Onlookers might even mistake the Polo Vivo GT for a Polo GTI, which is a good thing!
GT lettering has also been added to the grille and, at the rear, you’ll notice new Vivo lettering neatly centred beneath the new 2D Volkswagen emblem, bringing the model in line with other VW products. Also, note that front fog lights and cornering lights are now standard on all Polo Vivo derivatives.
See more specification details for the Volkswagen Polo Vivo
The Polo Vivo package is further enhanced with new wheel designs for each trim grade. For example, the base Vivo derivative still rides on 14-inch steel wheels, but now has the option of 15-inch Tosa alloy wheels, while the Vivo Life gains 15-inch Ubomi alloy wheels. Similarly, the Vivo Style is now fitted with 16-inch Rivazza alloys, while the range-topping GT wears the familiar 17-inch Mirabeau alloy wheels.
Inside, the biggest change is the fitment of a new, enlarged (9-inch) Mirgar touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality), which is standard equipment across the entire Polo Vivo range. The centre of the instrument cluster has also been updated.
The new infotainment system marks a major improvement over the rather basic “Composition” radio it replaces. Not only does the system lift the interior ambience to a more modern level, but its easy-to-use menu interface, which is similar to that of a modern smartphone, is sure to be a hit with local buyers.
Volkswagen has also taken the initiative to improve the safety credentials of the Polo Vivo and it has done so by adding electronic stability control (ESC) and a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to all Polo Vivo derivatives. Moreover, passenger seat-belt recognition is now standard.
While the base Vivo and Life derivatives are equipped with 2 front airbags, Volkswagen has upped the airbag count to 4 on the Style and GT derivatives with the fitment of front side airbags, which are located in the variants’ sporty front seats. As a matter of fact, new seats feature throughout the 2024 Polo Vivo range, plus they’re clad in fresh cloth upholstery designs that differentiate trim grades from each other.
Mechanically speaking, there are no changes to the engine and transmissions on offer in the range.
The familiar 55 kW/130 Nm and 63 kW/132 Nm 1.4-litre- (paired with a 5-speed manual transmission) and 77 kW/153 Nm 1.6-litre (paired with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission) naturally-aspirated petrol engines are carried over, while the range-topping 1.0-litre turbopetrol engine with 81 kW and 200 Nm (paired with a 6-speed manual transmission) continues its service in the Polo Vivo GT.
The Polo Vivo range is as follows:
| Derivative | Engine |
| Base Polo Vivo | 55 kW 1.4-litre (manual) |
| Polo Vivo Life Polo Vivo Life | 63 kW 1.4-litre (manual) 77 kW 1.6-litre (automatic) |
| Polo Vivo Style | 77 kW 1.6-litre (manual) |
| Polo Vivo GT | 81 kW 1.0-litre TSI (manual) |
As there are no mechanical changes to the updated Polo Vivo, buyers can expect the 2024 version of the popular hatchback to deliver the same driving experience as before (unless the ESC needs to intervene).
The Polo Vivo remains one of the market’s most refined “budget” hatchbacks. Not only does it deliver a composed and pliant ride quality, but it’s impressively fuel-efficient. VW’s claimed average consumption figures range from 4.8 L/100 km (for the Polo Vivo GT) to 6.6 L/100 km (for the Polo Vivo 1.6 Style).
While the base 55 kW 1.4-litre petrol engine is said to return a respectable fuel consumption figure of between 5.7- and 5.9 L/100 km, its general performance is sluggish. And, that sensation will only be exacerbated when the base Polo Vivo is loaded with passengers and luggage, especially if you’re driving “at altitude” in the northern part of the country (where the thinner air saps about 17% of engine power).
If you will be driving in such conditions most of the time, prepare to gear down often to squeeze every ounce of power out of the engine – thankfully, the manual gearbox has quite a positive shift action.
While the 63 kW 1.4 Polo Vivo Life performs marginally better than the base offering, we think that the 77 kW 1.6-litre Polo Vivo Life and Style derivatives represent the performance (and price) sweet spot in the range. These derivatives cope better under load and mid-range acceleration is more forthcoming.
Of course, if you’re after punchy turbocharged performance then the Polo Vivo GT is a no-brainer (if you can afford to buy one). With impressive overall performance and a dollop of street-cred with its GT-spec styling details, the Polo Vivo GT will appeal to those looking for more kerb appeal from their Polo Vivo.
| Derivative | Price |
| Base Polo Vivo 1.4 55kW Manual | R266 600 |
| Polo Vivo Life 1.4 63 kW Manual | R288 500 |
| Polo Vivo Life 1.6 77kW Auto | R320 200 |
| Polo Vivo Style 1.6 77kW Manual | R318 000 |
| Polo Vivo GT 1.0TSI 81 kW Manual | R356 000 |
The 2024 Polo Vivo is sold with 3-year/120 000 km general- and 6-year anti-corrosion warranties. Volkswagen has also added a 5-year/150 000 km engine warranty, but a service plan remains optional.
Buy a new Volkswagen Polo Vivo
This represents the most significant update that has been applied to the 2nd-gen Volkswagen Polo Vivo to date and, with the model’s 15th birthday coming up in 2025, we wouldn’t be surprised if Volkswagen Group Africa introduced a new special edition derivative to celebrate the milestone.
While the styling changes are welcome, the infotainment system upgrade is perhaps the feature that local buyers will appreciate the most along with the much-needed safety upgrades (ESP and additional airbags), all for the same prices as Volkswagen Group Africa charged for the pre-facelift derivatives!
Volkswagen Group Africa recognises the importance of the Polo Vivo in the local market and the Kariega-based firm is sensitive and sympathetic to the plight of budget-sensitive car buyers. The decision to keep the Polo Vivo’s pricing unchanged should be applauded.
With the current-gen Polo expected to soldier on until the end of the decade, so too will the Polo Vivo. The locally built hatch will continue to serve South Africa and other African markets. Viva Polo Vivo, Viva!
