A Volkswagen model that needs no introduction, the Polo Vivo has been a mainstay in the South African budget car market, and the second generation continues that mantle. The current Vivo is based on the fifth-generation Polo was a smash hit globally, so it made sense to continue that bread-and-butter recipe in the form of the second-generation Polo Vivo.
Related: Sean's Take on the Polo Vivo in Style Trim
The Vivo is still a popular choice amongst many local car buyers and had a facelift recently to keep this vehicle in strong relevance. Is it all enough to keep the Polo Vivo's competitors at bay? Let's find out. Our test unit came in 1.6 Style trim for this test over the December holiday period.
Pros
- Still looks gorgeous. The looks are ageing gracefully
- Still a comfortable drive with smooth driving dynamics
Cons
- Starting to struggle to keep up with the competition
- Expensive in comparison to its contemporaries
Styling
Updates to this Polo Vivo are subtle but complement the already attractive exterior of the fifth-generation Polo it's based on. The bumper's grin is enhanced in front with a redesigned foglamp bezel housing daytime running lights. The headlamps have an updated design as well. The Style variant has chrome strips highlighting the grille louvres and an updated Volkswagen emblem. We have updated split-spoke 16-inch wheels for the Style variant nestled in the sharply creased wheel arches along the side. Round back, not much has changed except the badging arrangement. Gone is the model sticker favouring 3D Vivo lettering positioned below the Volkswagen emblem, which aligns with the other Volkswagen badge placement. We can comfortably say that the facelift Polo Vivo is ageing gracefully.
Space and Comfort
In terms of space, the Polo Vivo has changed minimally. This vehicle is still practical as far as 5-door hatchbacks go, but the Vivo misses out on creature comforts that some of its competitors within its price range deliver as standard. Such features include rear electric windows, Auto Up and Down driver's side windows, Automatic headlights and Automatic Air Conditioning, and floor mats (Yes, they are an optional extra.), to name a few. The updated Vivo has new seating upholstery, and our unit comes with an Anthracite-Gray-Titanium Black Syllable. It does look appealing as Volkswagen's cloth upholstery has been fashionable, but the seating foam could be cushier, particularly for longer journeys. The Vivo still uses one of Volkswagen's lovely D-shaped leather-wrapped steering wheels, which is great for the hands.
Part of the great new interior updates is the 9.0-inch Mirgor touchscreen infotainment system with native Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality across the the range. In our test unit, the system is accompanied by 6 speakers. The Mirgor system works decently enough, and the user interface is better than other infotainment systems in this range. Still, in going for more radio real estate, the system interface loses the previous Vivo buttons and rotary dials for volume control and other functions in favour of a side swipe to pull out a tab for volume control. At least one rotary dial or a dedicated partition on the screen accommodating the home and volume options would have sufficed. The system output on factory speakers is adequate but could do with a more natural punch without dialling up EQ settings. Despite this, the Polo Vivo cabin remains quiet, and the noise and vibration levels are good. It feels solid. Boot space remains the same, from 280-952 litres, depending on whether you keep the rear seat bench up.
Performance
Propelling the Polo Vivo Style is the trusty 1.6-litre non-turbo petrol engine churning out 77kW and 153Nm. Power is channelled to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual. One thing that shines about the Vivo is the rhythm you get into when you pilot this vehicle. Shifting gears is smooth with just the right amount of notchiness in the gear stick, and feeding in the accelerator after engaging the clutch is well-balanced. The 1.6 prefers to keep its revs low, and we felt happier in the engine. Low-speed town driving is easy, and open roads are decent. With the copious amounts of short to middle-distance driving expected during the December holidays, the Vivo was up to the task, even loaded with suitcases and your favourite relatives.
The Drive
Handling-wise, the Polo Vivo is still a good city hatchback, flawlessly manoeuvring around town. The higher profile 195/55/R16 tyres are geared for comfort, but the Vivo can handle curvier roads nicely. However, you start to feel the chassis's weight when you throw the Vivo a bit harder than its competitors. Still, the Vivo managed with bums occupying all of the seats and filled Christmas lunch containers in the boot without a spill in sight. Remember, the original fifth-generation Polo set the benchmark for compact hatchbacks back in the day, and many manufacturers strived to be at the same level as the Polo.
Safety
Rest assured, you'll be safe in the Polo Vivo. Recently, the updated Vivo received a 4-star safety rating from Global NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), which deserves high praise. Breaking it down, the Vivo received 4 stars for Adult Occupancy Protection and 3 stars for Child Occupancy Protection.
Standard Safety Equipment includes:
- Dual front airbags, side airbags included for Style and GT variants
- ABS
- Stability Control
- Traction Control
- Engine Drag Torque Control
Fuel Consumption
The Vivo's claimed fuel consumption is 6.2 L/100km, but we managed around 7.0 L /100km in December with mostly short-middle-distance urban driving. We drained the 45-litre tank about twice during our tenure.
Price
The purchase price for the Polo Vivo includes a 3-year /120 000km warranty, a 5-year /150 000km engine warranty, and a 6-year anti-corrosion warranty. The EasyDrive service and maintenance plans are optional, and several plans are available to suit your budget, needs, and driving distances.
| Car | Price |
| Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.4 55kW | from R266 600 |
| Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.4 Life 63kW | from R288 500 |
| Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.6 Style 77kW | from R318 000 |
| Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.6 Life Tiptronic 77kW | from R320 200 |
| Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch 1.0TSI GT 81kW | from R356 000 |
*The pricing stated here was correct when published and is subject to change without further notice.
Rivals
- Suzuki Baleno
- Renault Clio
- Hyundai i20
- Toyota Starlet
- Mazda 2
The Verdict
More tweaks to the ever-popular Polo Vivo are welcome, but the Vivo now has to contend with strong competition as it lacks extra features that are standard on its rivals at more or less the same price point. Dynamically, the platform is starting to show its age, and it's about time to move on to another iteration. Despite this, though, there's that Volkswagen charm to this vehicle, and it's a decent step forward if you want to experience an entry into the Volkswagen family. Plus, it's locally built, so that's a lovely bonus we support. The Vivo was a trusty steed during the December holidays, often garnering the quote from relatives, "Oh, this is a nippy car, and it's comfy too!". When the family approves, you know your car-buying decision is sound.
