Should The Facelifted 2021 Volkswagen Polo Be Sold In PH?

During Volkswagen’s first few years after its return to the Philippine market, the company offered its global models to Filipino consumers. While expensive, they were seen as appealing and fit to the brand’s German precision image. Do you think that The 2021 Volkswagen Polo should be offered in our market once again?

The Volkswagen Polo was once sold in our market, which we also reviewed back in 2017. Somewhere along the lines, however, the all-new model that’s riding on the German automaker’s sophisticated MQB platform that also underpins the upcoming T-Cross was never offered here in favor of the Santana. Considering that Volkswagen Philippines will now offer its global models once again, there’s a high probability that the Polo could make a return.

For 2021, the new Polo gains a new front end that’s inspired by the all-new Golf Mk. 8. LED headlights and taillights are standard on every model, with the daytime running lights running across the Polo’s width. Higher variants even gain adaptive matrix LED headlights for even better nighttime visibility. The front and rear bumpers are also new, giving the subcompact hatch a more dynamic design. The R Line variant gets a few sporty touches and even faux rear exhaust tips. And just like all recent Volkswagens, the

Volkswagen has also updated the Polo’s interior tech. Offered as standard is an 8.0-inch fully-digital instrument cluster and a 6.5-inch touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and AppConnect. Higher trims get a larger 10.25-inch fully gauge cluster and a 9.2-inch touch screen. As for its design, it largely remains the same, though, like the all-new Golf Mk. 8, the refreshed Polo has ditched traditional buttons in favor of capacitive touch panels. Higher variants now have configurable LED ambient lighting.

Powering the 2021 Volkswagen Polo are three engine choices, all of which are a 1.0-liter inline-3 gasoline engine with two of those featuring turbocharging. The base non-turbo engine produces 80 hp and 93 Nm of torque and is mated only to a 5-speed manual. The two turbocharged units produce either 95 hp or 110 hp, with the former being offered with a 5-speed manual as standard and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) as an option. The latter turbocharged engine is only available with the DCT.

Of course as with every modern car nowadays, the Polo can be equipped with a plethora of advanced driver-assist systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, full-speed adaptive cruise control, just to name a few.

The 2021 Volkswagen Polo will go on sale first in Europe towards the end of the year. With Volkswagen Philippines sourcing its vehicles from the SAIC-VW plant in Shanghai, China, where the Polo is also produced, it’s safe to say that there’s a high chance that the globally-sold Polo subcompact hatch could make its return to our market.