A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
C9 SHS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo.
Polo starts ZAR 626,100 cheaperC9 SHS from ZAR 999,900 · Polo from ZAR 373,800
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
C9 SHS
Polo
Maximum Power
C9 SHSNot Officially Disclosed
Polo147 kW
Maximum Torque
C9 SHSNot Officially Disclosed
Polo320 Nm
Engine Size
C9 SHS1500 cc
Polo2000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
C9 SHS71.4 km/l
Polo18.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
C9 SHS165 mm
Polo133 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Omoda C9 SHS
C9 SHS AWD
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
C9 SHS
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Polo
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
C9 SHS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Polo
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Model Introduced Year
2025
2018
Generation
Current South Africa C9 SHS range
Sixth generation Polo on MQB-A0 platform
Facelift History
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift in 2022 with updated tech and styling
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2022
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
Current
Production Status
active
published
Segment
SUV
Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
Not Available
1247 kg
Vehicle Type
SUV
Hatchback
Color Note
-
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red
Dealer Stock Note
-
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
-
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Length
4775 mm
4074 mm
Width
1920 mm
1751 mm
Height
1671 mm
1431 mm
Wheelbase
2800 mm
2549 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
165 mm
133 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
140 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
70 l
40 l
Boot/Cargo Space
660 l
305 l
Kerb Weight
2195 kg
1247 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2717 kg
1780 kg
Payload Capacity
522 kg
-
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
10.6 m
Front Headroom
1005 mm
-
Rear Headroom
970 mm
-
Front Legroom
1070 mm
-
Rear Legroom
960 mm
-
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Front Track Width
Not Available
1501 mm
Rear Track Width
Not Available
1484 mm
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Not Available
Power Steering
-
Standard
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Climate Control
Automatic
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Standard
Not Available
Push Button Start
Standard
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Standard
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Boot Space Seats Folded
1783 l
305 l
AC Type
Automatic
Standard
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
12V Accessory Socket
-
Standard
Climate Zones
-
Standard
Front Armrest
-
Centre console
Front Power Outlet
-
Standard
Fuel Consumption Combined
-
5.3
Multi Function Steering
-
Standard
Skid Plates
-
Not Available
Air Conditioning
Automatic
Standard
Battery Preconditioning
-
Not Available
Bed Extender
-
Not Available
Canopy Fitment
-
Not Available
Centre Console
-
Standard
Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Difflock
-
Not Available
Front Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Intelligent Battery System
-
Not Available
Load Bed Cover
-
Not Available
Load Bed Light
-
Not Available
Load Bed Steps
-
Not Available
Loadbox Depth Mm
-
Not Available
Loadbox Rope Hooks
-
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
-
Not Available
Manual Aircon
-
Standard
One Pedal Driving
-
Not Available
Power Socket 12v
-
Standard
Rear Diff Lock
-
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
-
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
-
Not Available
Source Model Column
-
polo
Sports Bar
-
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
-
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
-
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
-
Not Available
Trim Level
-
flagship
Variant Role
-
Performance-focused derivative
Vehicle To Grid
-
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
-
Not Available
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
SQRH4J15
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Plug-in Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1500 cc
2000 cc
Cylinders
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel System
Petrol injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
14.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
72.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
92.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
Not Officially Disclosed
147 kW
Maximum Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
320 Nm
Combined Power
440 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
915 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous traction motors
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
3
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front and rear axles
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
3-Speed Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
Top Speed
180 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
4.9 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
13.3 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow, Mud, Sand, Off-Road
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
200.5 kW/tonne
117.9 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
416.9 Nm/tonne
256.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
34.46 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
31.0 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion traction battery
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
322 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
150 km (WLTP)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
70 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
5 h 30 min (30-100%)
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
25 min (30-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Gearbox
3-Speed DHT
DCT
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
4x2
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
3
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
Automatic
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Clutch Type
Automatic clutch
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Electric
DCT
Drivetrain
AWD
4x2
4WD Engagement
Electrically controlled AWD using front hybrid drive and rear electric drive with automatic torque management
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
DHT
DCT
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
AWD
4x2
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
3
Not Applicable
Differential Type Front
-
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
-
Not Available
Transfer Case Guard
-
Not Available
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Claimed Mileage
71.4 km/l
18.9 km/l
City Mileage
12.8 km/l
15.2 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.9 km/l
22.3 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
70 l
40 l
Emission Standard
Euro VIb
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
71.4 km/l
18.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC fast charging
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
70
40
Combined Driving Range
1100
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
22.7
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Available
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Available
Not Applicable
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Airbags
Multiple airbags
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
Traction Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Not Available
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Not Available
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Standard
Not Available
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Hill Hold
Standard
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Not Available
Side Airbags
Standard
Not Available
Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
TCS
Standard
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
EV Mode
-
Not Available
Rear View Camera
-
Standard
Reversing Camera
-
Standard
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Seat Material
Leatherette / leather
Cloth
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Applicable
Front Shoulder Room
Not Available
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Available
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Standard
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Power
Not Applicable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Power
Not Applicable
Seat Trim
Leatherette / leather
Cloth
Steering Type
-
Standard
Front Armrest
-
Centre console
Interior Colour Options
-
Black
Fabric Seats
-
Cloth
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
Digital cockpit, infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, quality cabin materials
Interior Trim Colour
-
Black
Floor Mats
-
Standard
Interior Colours
-
Black
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment
SYNC
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Not Available
Android Auto
Standard
Not Available
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Not Available
Number of Speakers
8
Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
Not Applicable
USB Ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Not Available
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
SYNC
Touchscreen
10.25-inch or larger by trim
SYNC
Infotainment Screen Size
10.25-inch or larger by trim
SYNC
Connected Services
-
SYNC
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
LED Headlamps
Standard
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Not Available
Fog Lamps
Standard
Not Available
Roof Rails
Standard
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, moonlight silver, grey and other official Omoda market colours where listed.
6
Headlights
Standard
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Body Type
-
Hatchback
Exterior Colour Options
-
6
Load Bed Liner
-
Not Available
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Approach Angle
Not Available
-
Departure Angle
Not Available
-
Wading Depth
Not Available
-
Terrain Modes
Standard
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
AWD / 4WD as listed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Available
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
165 mm
133 mm
Ground Clearance Min
165 mm
133 mm
Underbody Protection
-
Not Available
Approach Angle Deg
-
-
Departure Angle Deg
-
-
Energy Recovery Display
-
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Off Road Descent Control
-
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
-
Not Available
Crawl Control
-
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
-
Not Available
Terrain Response System
-
Not Available
Underbody Camera
-
Not Available
Wading Depth Mm
-
-
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Tyre Size
245/50 R20
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
245/50 R20
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Not Applicable
Fifth Wheel Prep
-
Not Available
Leather Steering Wheel
-
Standard
Steering Wheel Trim
-
Standard
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
CO2 Emissions
Not Available
121 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System Type
-
Not Available
Particulate Filter
-
Not Available
Idle CO2 Output
-
121
CO2 Emissions G Km
-
121
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Service Plan
5 Years / 75 000 km
Not Available
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Ownership Role
flagship or capability-focused
South Africa market model
Price Zar
999900 ZAR
585800 ZAR
Pricing Role
flagship or capability-focused
Active local lineup
Starting Price
999900
585800
Starting Price Zar
999900
585800
Spec
C9 SHS
Polo
Warranty
7 Years / 200 000 km
3 years / 120 000 km
Basic Warranty
7 Years / 200 000 km
3 years / 120 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This C9 SHS and Polo comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: C9 SHS 92 vs Polo 60.
Efficiency index: C9 SHS 96 vs Polo 71.
Safety-equipment index: C9 SHS 94 vs Polo 81.
Practicality index: C9 SHS 69 vs Polo 55.
Ownership-cover index: C9 SHS not separately scored vs Polo not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
C9 SHS and Polo image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
C9 SHS leads by 21 points
C9 SHS holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
C9 SHS
Performance
92/100
Efficiency
96/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
69/100
Polo
Performance
60/100
Efficiency
71/100
Safety
81/100
Practicality
55/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexOmoda C9 SHS
leads the specification evidence index with 87 pts
vs 66 pts for Polo
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, C9 SHS leads. However, Polo may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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