7 Facts About the 2018 Volkswagen Polo

The sixth generation VW Polo has undergone a radiant redesign and we’re here to rave about it.

“The Polo is a young, fresh car. It combines charisma with strong technology. No other car offers so much space for its size. This makes our Polo the number one compact car, and it will remain number one.” — Dr. Herbert Diess, Volkswagen CEO

Since hitting the market in 1975, the Polo has been one of the best cars in the world with over 14 million of them sold and an award to prove it.

“The Volkswagen Polo is arguably one of the most popular hatchbacks made by the German automaker and has been nothing short of a success story worldwide.” — News 18 Auto

Read on to discover how this success story unfolds for the 2018 model.

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#1 – The 2018 VW Polo is Bigger

Although often referred to as the Golf’s little brother, the all-new sixth generation Polo is actually larger than the fourth generation Golf.

“The new 2018 Volkswagen Polo has been unveiled and it’s bigger, more practical and more premium than its predecessor.” — Car Keys

See how the 2018 Polo measures up to the older model:

• 3.19 inches longer frame
• 2.72 inches wider frame
• .28 inches shorter in height
• 3.7 inches longer wheelbase
• 2.44 inches longer front track width
• 1.93 inches longer back track width
• .59 inches more headroom up front
• 1.18 inches more headroom in back
• 1.18 inches larger panoramic sunroof
• 2.51 cubic feet more trunk space

Even with increases in every dimension including 25 percent more trunk space, this biggest Polo generation to date, manages to be about 154 lbs lighter and lower to the ground thanks to VW’s new platform, MQB AO.

“…[I]t utilises its enclosed space even more effectively.” — NetCarShow

Now no longer available in the three door design, the 2018 Polo opens five doors to more space, comfort, and efficiency.

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#2 – The 2018 VW Polo is Individualized

It’s almost unbelievable the number of color and detailing options available in the new Polo. When VW says the personalizations are “almost limitless,” they aren’t exaggerating.

“…[T]he 2018 Polo grows a bit, both in terms of its physical size and what it brings to the table.” — Road Show

– The ‘18 Polo Family is made up of nine engines: 

Gasoline

• 1.0 Liter MPI, 3-cylinder, 64 hp, 5-speed gearbox
• 1.0 Liter MPI, 3-cylinder, 74 hp, 5-speed gearbox
• 1.0 Liter TSI, 3-cylinder, 94 hp, 5-speed gearbox or 7-speed DSG
• 1.0 Liter TSI, 3-cylinder, 114 hp, 6-speed gearbox or 7-speed DSG
• 1.5 Liter TSI, 4-cylinder,148 hp, 6-speed gearbox or 7-speed DSG
• 2.0 Liter TSI, 4-cylinder, 197 hp, 6-speed gearbox or 7-speed DSG

Natural Gas

• 1.0 Liter TGI, 4-cylinder, 89 hp, 5-speed gearbox

Diesel

• 1.6 Liter TDI, 4-cylinder, 79 hp, 5-speed gearbox
• 1.6 Liter TDI, 4-cylinder, 94 hp, 5-speed gearbox or 7-speed DSG

DSG = Direct Shift Gearbox
MPI = Multi-Point Injection
TDI = Turbocharged Direct Injection
TGI = Natural Gas Version of TSI
TSI = Turbocharged Stratified Injection
hp = Horsepower

“Their combination of reduced displacement, direct injection and intelligent engine boosting enables top dynamic performance while keeping emissions and fuel consumption low. Winning awards in three key categories is really a compliment to our development team.” — Dr. Rüdiger Szengel, VW Head of Engine Development

– The ‘18 Polo is available in five trims starting at €12,975 ($14,795) in Germany:

• Trendline – Featuring 14-inch wheels and LED daytime running lights.
• Comfortline – Featuring 15-inch wheels, Composition Colour system, Climatic AC, center armrest, knitted velvet seat covers, one-touch electric windows, and a multi-function steering wheel
• Highline – Featuring 15-inch alloy wheels, LED interior background lighting and a leather shifter and e-brake
• Beats – Featuring 16-inch alloy wheels, 300 watt sound system, unique dashboard detailing, and sport seats with logo
• GTI – Featuring 17 to 18-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, honeycomb grille, Sport Select Chassis, LED head and tail lights, dual chrome tailpipes, leather steering wheel, and ambient lighting

– In addition to the nine engines and five trims to choose from, Polo buyers get all of the following personalization options:

• 12 wheel color options
• 13 dashboard colors
• 14 exterior paint colors
• 11 seat cover designs
• 2 interior trim designs
• 3 packages-R-line, Black, or Style

#3 – The 2018 VW Polo Outshines

Its larger yet lighter frame, roomy interior, powerful engines, and practically limitless customizations make the sixth generation Polo hard to beat.

“The design team took advantage of these realigned dimensions to put a sporty, powerful, fresh, masculine and overall superior Polo onto wheels of up to 18 inches in size. This resulted in an expressively designed, charismatic compact car – which can immediately be made out as the original of its class and yet as an entirely new generation.” — NetCarShow

“…[I]t now makes almost every rival seem like a plastic toy.” — Car Magazine

Volkswagen didn’t just stumble upon a showstopper. Years of dedication, relentless testing, countless improvements, and an ingenious regimen are just part of how this German manufacturer designs masterpieces – one model at a time. Staying true to their motto:

“We make the future real.”

– The 2018 Polo was redesigned using VW’s Four Fields of Innovation:

• Automated Driving: – Making cars more safe, convenient, and comfortable with fully and semi-automated systems.
• Intuitive Usability – Suiting vehicles with perceptive operations that feature only the newest displays and control concepts.
• Connected Community – Connecting humans, cars and their surroundings more intensively than ever before.
• Smart Sustainability – Advancing the development of innovative high-volume models with sustainable drives.

It’s more than just architecture that makes the all-new Polo outshine its competition. The design team lavished this hatchback with the most customizable colors and detailing a mainstream vehicle has ever seen.

“…[I]t’s like someone finally gave the interior designers access to the colored crayons. Gone is the stark, black cabin of every previous Polo generation – in its place a modern, sleek dashboard design…and 13 different ‘dashpad’ hues to choose from.” — Car Magazine

Long before these updates, the Polo stood out in the crowd – awarded the World Car of the Year in 2010. Seven years later, it shines even brighter.

#4 – The 2018 VW Polo is Modernized

Quite a few visual changes were made to the Polo, which now looks more like the Golf, and it seems as though the critiques are in favor.

“The sixth generation Polo has become a masculine car, which generates charisma from all perspectives with its new expressive design.” — NetCarShow

“The new Polo keeps the old model’s upmarket looks but looks way more up to date.” — CarWow

“Much as we’d like to poke fun at VW for building a three-quarter size Golf, it actually seems to have done a bloody good job of it.” — Car Magazine

Deliberate effort and cost-effective funding was made to make the Polo look like it belongs in the next league of vehicles.

“The Polo is no longer just the small sibling of the Golf when it comes to its interior. It is no longer the car that people only buy when they cannot afford the Golf. Now it is exactly the car that people want!” — VW Interior Designer

The extensive upgrades include: a longer roofline, stronger side creases, a new radiator grille, chrome details, a more pronounced spoiler, “P” signature in the brake lights, a wider bumper, a more downward sloping hood, and more vibrant color schemes.

“The much better proportions create the framework for a grown-up, confident appearance of the sixth generation Polo – charismatic, progressive, contemporary and friendly.” — Klaus Bischoff, VW Design Director

Further distinguishing the new Polo is what VW calls the “tornado line.” This 3D double indent below the windows, structures the vehicle’s profile giving it a “low and sporty stance.”

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#5 – The 2018 VW Polo is Tech-Savvy

Being the largest economy in the European Union, it’s no surprise that Germany produces cars with the highest level of technology at reasonable prices.

In regards to the new, even smarter Polo, Bishchoff said:

“It’s a car that fits perfectly with our times both visually and technologically.”

This small but mighty hatchback is packed with cutting-edge technology:

• Keyless Access — automatic locking and starting
• LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights
• Air Care Climatronic System — air quality sensor and allergen filter
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Panoramic roof — a best in class
• Sport Select running gear with active dampers
• Multi-function steering wheel
• 12.3-inch digital cockpit screen
• 6.5-8 inch infotainment screen
• Reverse camera
• Backlit, high-resolution screens
• App-Connect — compatible with MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• “We” by Volkswagen featuring “WePark,” a parking payment app
• Digital instrument panel – a first for the class

“…[O]utwardly larger, significantly roomier and more technically sophisticated model than today’s eight-year-old model” — Drive

If all that wasn’t enough, the ‘18 Polo is the very first Volkswagen to offer the second generation Active Info Display.

This virtual cockpit is like none other wi12.3-inch inch high resolution digital customizable screen that displays speed, fuel level, tire pressure, weather conditions, album and song titles, back-up camera view, navigation maps, and much more.

#6 – The 2018 VW Polo is Safer

The all-new Polo has more safety features than most cars in its segment and price range. In fact, there’s so much driver-assisted technology in the Polo that it receives a Level 2 “Partial Automation” classification by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

“In producing the new Polo, Volkswagen has put one of the world’s most advanced compact cars on wheels.” — NetCarShow

One of Volkswagen’s “Four Fields of Innovation” is to use automated driving to make their vehicles more comfortable, convenient and safe. VW certainly stayed true to their mission.

– The 2018 Polo Safety Features include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pedestrian Monitoring
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Blind Spot Detection
• Driver Alert System
• City Emergency Braking
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Start/Stop Technology
• Electronic Parking Brake
• Speed Limiter
• Front Assist
• Park Assist

Visit Volkswagen’s official website to see just how involved VW made each of the above features. A cruise control that can match the speed of the car in front of you is just the beginning.

The ‘18 Polo’s driver assistance safety package goes far beyond basic.

#7 – The 2018 VW Polo is not Here

Before you start picking out which of the 9 engines, 13 dashboard designs, 14 exterior paint colors, and 11 seat covers suit your fancy, you should hear the bad news . . . The 2018 Volkswagen Polo is not coming to the United States.

“It doesn’t make too much sense for us to bring a car like this, which has the substance of a class higher, into a segment that is so price driven in America.” — Juergen Stackmann, VW Head of Global Sales

The problem is that here in the U.S. we have the Kia Rio, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Sonic, and Ford Fiesta to compete with the Polo. Since VW made the Polo out of its own league, they know they can’t compete with the price point of our compact cars.

The new Polo won’t be on the market in Europe until after its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of 2017. The first Polo deliveries aren’t expected until early 2018.

Out of Reach

We’re impressed by the bigger, smarter, safer Polo.

“The new Polo brings the future to the compact class. A whole lot of space…sustainable engines…the world premiere of a new generation of the Active Info Display…these qualities enable this Volkswagen to overcome traditional class boundaries.” — Dr. Frank Welsch, VW Head of Development

The ’18 Polo is a “forbidden fruit” here in the U.S. thanks to our shrinking subcompact market.

Certainly not an economical option, but importing isn’t out of the question. The NHTSA might even approve a right hand drive (RHD) vehicle for use on U.S. roads if it’s safe enough.

Before making any final decisions on your insurance company, it is important to learn as much as you can about your local insurance providers, and the coverages they offer. Call your local insurance agent to clear up any questions that you might have. Questions to consider asking include, “What is the best coverage plan for me/my family/my situation?” “What are the minimum coverage requirements in my state and what form of coverage do you recommend?” “Do you guys offer any bundle discounts if I take out both my auto insurance and home insurance with you?” and “What is the average rate of insurance quotes you guys offer?”

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