Ahead of the official launch of the updated Volkswagen Polo Vivo into the South African market, Ian McLaren got to get to grips with the top-of-the-range GT trimmed model.
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Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.0TSI GT Fast Facts
- Price: R356 000
- Powertrain: 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged
- Transmission: six-speed manual
- Power: 81 kW @ 5 000 r/min
- Torque: 200 N.m @ 2 000 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 9.5 sec
- Top speed: 196 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 4.8 L/100 km
- Emissions: 109 g/km
- Rivals: Hyundai i20; Mazda2
What are we driving?
With competition within the South African entry-level segment having evolved and, ahead of an expanded mandate to include establishing sales volume in neighbouring African markets, the venerable Volkswagen Polo Vivo range has been handed a timely update.
We’ve been behind the wheel of the updated flagship GT derivative.
Why is the updated Polo Vivo range significant?
The spiritual successor to the Citi Golf, the 2010 decision by VWSA to develop a repackaged fourth-generation Polo to occupy the entry-level space created below an altogether more sophisticated incoming Polo hatch quickly proved inspired. Including a follow-up exercise conducted on the fifth-generation car, Volkswagen Group Africa has, to date, sold more than 425 000 units of its home-grown Polo Vivo. Significantly, while sharing its Kariega assembly line with the modern Polo hatch, up to 75% of the Vivo’s components are locally sourced.
What’s new on the updated Polo Vivo range?
The revised five-model line-up is now offered in base (Vivo), Life and Style specifications, replacing Trendline, Comfortline and Highline in the outgoing portfolio. An updated GT model retains its flagship status.
Related: Updated Volkswagen Polo Vivo – Pricing and Specification
The hatch gains Volkswagen’s newest 2D corporate logo and modern stacked tailgate badging to match the rest of the family. Revised bumper treatments, front and rear, a new grille design with chrome detailing that mimics the IQ. Light-linked LED light strip found on the modern Polo and (from the Life models) redesigned headlamp units with daytime running lights have also been added. New alloy wheel designs are offered in 15-inch on Life models and 16-inch on Style, with the GT’s 17-inch “Mirabeau” items finishing in Anthracite.
Bringing the updated GT closer to its big brother modern Polo GTI sibling, the flagship Vivo is further distinguished via a black roof and matching colour mirrors, a colour-coded roof spoiler, a chrome exhaust tailpipe and updated signage that does away with the door decals featured on the outgoing car and adds new GT badging in the same font as the brand’s famous GTI lettering.
Highlights of the updated Polo Vivo’s interior include a neatly integrated 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with (via a cord) smartphone mirroring, upgraded cloth upholstery and the standard fitment of a multi-function steering wheel throughout the range; this item bound in leather in the Style and GT models.
A reverse camera linked to park distance sensors is optional.
Standard throughout is ESC stability control and tyre pressure monitoring, with Style and GT models fitted with driver and front passenger side airbags complementing already included dual front items.
Carried over from the outgoing range, the Polo Vivo hatch is offered with a choice of a naturally aspirated 1.4-litre engine in two states of tune – offering 55 kW in the base model and 63 kW in Life specification – or a 77 kW 1.6-litre engine mated with either a six-speed automatic (Life) or six-speed manual transmission (Style). The GT retains its 81 kW/200 N.m turbocharged 1.0 TSI engine and six-speed manual gearbox.
What does the updated Polo Vivo range cost?
Aware of the broad array of rivals, new and established, at this price point, Volkswagen Group Africa has resisted the urge to adjust the pricing of its Polo Vivo range upwards to correspond with this update.
- Polo Vivo 1.4 55 kW manual – R266 600
- Polo Vivo 1.4 63 kW Life manual – R288 500
- Polo Vivo 1.6 77 kW Life Tiptronic – R320 200
- Polo Vivo 1.6 77 kW Style manual – R318 000
- Polo Vivo 1.0 TSI 81 kW GT manual – R356 000
Pricing includes a 3-year/120 000 km warranty, though a service plan remains optional. At the time of writing a 4-year/60 000 km service plan was priced at R13 086
What are the updated Polo Vivo’s rivals?
While the flagship Vivo GT competes against the likes of the Mazda2 and Hyundai i20, the list of rivals to the broad Vivo range is extensive. Including any number of raised ride height of crossover contenders, expect the arrival of the all-new Suzuki Swift in October to ruffle a few feathers here.
What is the updated Polo Vivo GT like to drive?
A boon in terms of the ownership experience associated with these proven powertrain options is the relative ease with which each can be manoeuvred around town, including a lightweight clutch pedal and seamless gearshifts in the manually operated models. Expect the naturally aspirated engines to work a little harder (affecting otherwise impressively frugal fuel consumption figures) to keep pace at altitude, though.
At sea level and close to the home of Volkswagen Group Africa in Gqeberha, a lengthy stint behind the wheel of the updated Vivo GT reminded me of what an accomplished “warm hatch” it remains. At cruising speeds, and despite the fitment on this derivative of low-profile rubber, ride comfort remains impressively assured over most surfaces. VW’s proven 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine remains a keen participant even if a bout of eager driving quickly blights its 4.8 L/100 km claimed fuel consumption figure.
While height adjustment on the driver’s seat allowed me to find a comfortable driving position in the Vivo GT, a drive later the same day of a modern MQB-based Polo hatch highlighted just how much more rear passenger legroom is available behind my (186 cm tall) seat setting in the newer package compared with in the Vivo.
As a reminder, by our measurements, the Vivo hatch offers 216 litres worth of luggage space.
Verdict
Like a favourite pair of jeans or sneakers, there remains a welcome sense of familiarity with the Polo Vivo package. While things like the presence of manually operated rear windows and a single-piece folding backrest – together with any number of nice-to-have features included within more “glamourous” modern rivals – can be highlighted as potential drawbacks the VW’s ownership experience, the continued appeal of this re-packaged fifth-generation Polo lies in its solid build quality, proven powertrains, after-sales support and resale values.
