The Volkswagen Polo has been synonymous with reliability and practicality in the city car segment for half a century. Since its launch in 1975, when it debuted as a compact car „small on the outside, big on the inside“, the Polo has exceeded the expectations of many and has become a bestseller not only in Germany but also abroad. Over the course of six generations, it has managed to offer more than 20 million cars, thanks to which it has gained a firm place in the market alongside brands such as Škoda, Hyundai and Toyota. Its achievements are supported by many awards, among which the titles of Car of the Year 2010 and World Car of the Year 2010 stand out. The Polo can be both modern and traditional – it offers the latest technological innovations available even to higher segments, which is also confirmed by the recent modernization in 2025.
The Volkswagen Polo model began its career as a simple two-door hatchback in 1975. Since then, it has undergone constant development, transforming it into the most modern city car with an emphasis on safety, comfort and economy. The first generation boasted a low purchase price and an unusual price/performance ratio, which was exceptional in its time. The Volkswagen Polo followed on the successes brought by the Passat and Golf models in the 1970s and represented another step in the innovation of water-cooled engines, which gradually replaced the legendary VW Beetle.
The second generation of the Polo significantly increased the interior space and for the first time included a coupe or GT40 variant, which became an icon in the small sports car segment. The third generation brought with it larger dimensions, five doors and significant safety innovations such as airbags and ABS. An interesting feature was the limited edition Polo Harlekin. The fourth generation improved the luggage compartment, introduced modern three-cylinder engines and a sporty GTI version, which remains very popular.
The fifth generation added a long line of new engines and continued the innovation with the introduction of the BlueMotion version, which offered low fuel consumption. The sixth generation, built on the MQB platform, brought digitalization, assistance systems comparable to higher-class models, and in 2025 underwent another modernization that improved the driving dynamics of the sporty Polo GTI and the comfort of the regular versions. Production expanded globally, from Germany to China and India, reflecting the continuity of the brand’s success.
The Volkswagen Polo has long been more than just an ordinary city car – thanks to regular technological innovations, it always responds to current trends and customer needs. With each new generation, there has been a shift in safety features. From basic airbags to power steering and seat belt pretensioners to the most modern ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system and adaptive cruise control. These features, which were previously only available in the premium segment, are now standard equipment in the Polo.
In addition to safety, the Polo also impresses in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. The Polo BlueMotion series offers exceptionally eco-friendly engines with low consumption and CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km, supporting the trend towards eco-mobility in urban areas. The MQB platform also increases the possibility of integrating digital technologies such as wireless charging, large digital displays and systems such as IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist, which make driving easier and increase comfort and safety.
This ability to democratize innovation is not only appealing to young drivers, who often choose between brands such as Renault, Peugeot or Kia, but also more experienced users who are looking for a balanced ratio of performance, comfort and price. The Polo is therefore still an extremely relevant choice on the city car market in 2025.
The design of the Volkswagen Polo remains true to the basic philosophy of „small on the outside, big on the inside“. Compact dimensions make parking and maneuvering in narrow city streets easier. However, the current version offers generous space for the crew and luggage – 351 liters of trunk space in the sixth generation is a noticeable improvement over the original models.
Interior comfort is also essential, which, thanks to the materials used and the ergonomics of the seats, is close to the comfort of mid-range cars. Infotainment technologies meet the requirements of today’s users, who often prefer connectivity with smartphones and voice control. The Volkswagen Polo therefore not only provides its owners with efficient transportation around the city, but also pleasant driving experiences and high-quality comfort.
In the context of competition from car manufacturers such as Ford, Seat, Opel or Hyundai , the Polo often represents an ideal compromise between sportiness, practicality and economy of operation. Moreover, due to the growing demand for electric and hybrid variants in the world, Volkswagen Polo is gradually starting to include these alternatives in order to keep up with modern trends.
On the Czech market, the Volkswagen Polo has long been one of the best-selling city cars. Thanks to its very attractive price – for example, as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Polo, it starts at approximately CZK 350,000 – it is available to a wide range of customers. The Polo maintains its popularity here not only thanks to its performance, but also to its low running costs and reliability. However, the Czech market also offers strong competition in the form of the brands Škoda, Hyundai and Ford, therefore it is important that Volkswagen constantly invests in modernizing and expanding the range of variants and engines.
Customers also appreciate the availability of the service network and the high-quality customer service that accompanies the purchase of a new car. In addition, the Volkswagen Polo is well positioned in urban conditions thanks to its dimensions and driving characteristics. If someone is interested in specific advantages and experiences with Toyota cars, interesting information is available on the pages Toyota Yaris advantages and experiences and Toyota RAV4 advantages, which can serve as alternatives for customers looking for a similar segment.
For comparison, the current growing interest in small cars with environmentally friendly engines or hybrids can also be mentioned, where Volkswagen, thanks to its offer of modern drives, keeps up with global trends. More about the success and challenges of leading automotive brands can also be found on the pages Toyota success car manufacturer, which helps to understand the dynamics of the entire market.
