2021 Volkswagen Polo facelift revealed

With updated fascia, interiors, and technology, the international spec Volkswagen Polo gets a mid-life makeover for 2021. However, it is unlikely that the new model will be considered for the Indian market

For 2021, Volkswagen has updated its sixth-gen Polo that is on sale in the international market. The cosmetic changes are very subtle as the overall design stays the same. The changes to the exterior include a revised styling for the head and tail lamp. Upfront, an LED light strip runs across from one side to the other and merges into the headlamp design. The headlamp element also includes LED DRLs and projectors that come equipped with their own trickery. The LED projector lamps are equipped with IQ LED light system which is Volkswagen’s interactive and adaptive headlamp system.

The rear end has a newly designed tail lamp assembly and the boot lid gets ‘POLO’ badging right under the ‘VW’ logo. The redesigned bumpers on either end have resulted in an increased overall length, while the wheelbase remains identical to the pre-facelift model. An 8-inch virtual cockpit screen is now standard on all the variants, the steering wheel gets a new design, and higher variants get a feather-touch operation climate control system.

Moving to the highlight of the new 2021 Polo, Volkswagen’s ‘Travel Assist’. The system that's a product of Adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist working together to offer a part autonomous driving experience. It is the first time Volkswagen has introduced the ‘Travel Assist’ in Polo and the system is standard across all variants.

The powertrain is carried forward from the pre-facelift model. The 2021 Polo gets a 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit – both naturally aspirated, as well as, turbocharged – and comes with a choice of a manual or a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Depending on the variant the power outputs vary from 79bhp, 94bhp to 108bhp.

The 2021 Polo is unlikely to make its way into the Indian market as Volkswagen is focusing on the SUVW strategy. However, the India spec Polo (5th generation) has been on sale for over a decade and is due for an update. When the time comes, Volkswagen India might skip a generation and consider the next, 7th generation Polo that could be based on the MQB A0-IN platform – this means the new Polo is likely a year away or two.

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