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.
Includes a historical vehicle
Current, upcoming and historical vehicles can be compared side by side. Historical records keep their verified specifications, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
Rolls-Royce Dawn vs Volkswagen Polo-Vivo: the short answer
Dawn holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo-Vivo.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Maximum Power
Dawn420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Polo-Vivo81 kW
Maximum Torque
Dawn820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
Polo-Vivo200 Nm
Engine Size
Dawn6592 cc
Polo-Vivo1000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Dawn6.99 km/l
Polo-Vivo22.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
Dawn149 mm
Polo-Vivo143 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.
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Dawn
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
Dawn
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Polo-Vivo
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
Dawn
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Polo-Vivo
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Model Introduced Year
2016
2010
Generation
Dawn four-seat convertible; this archive profile uses the MY17 World specification corroborated by a February 2018 South African road test.
Long-running locally produced hatchback
Facelift History
The MY17 configuration is kept separate from the 2015 launch specification, which published different length, torque, acceleration, consumption and CO2 figures.
Periodic feature updates over years
Facelift Launched Since
2017
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
2023
Current
Body Style
Convertible
Hatchback
Model Year
2017
Current
Production Status
discontinued
published
Segment
Ultra-luxury convertible
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Passenger car
Hatchback
Color Note
Not confirmed
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red
Dealer Stock Note
Not confirmed
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note
Not confirmed
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
Tare Mass Kg
Not confirmed
1108 kg
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Length
5295 mm
3972 mm
Width
1947 mm
1682 mm
Height
1502 mm
1462 mm
Wheelbase
3112 mm
2470 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
149 mm
143 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
149 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
45 l
Boot/Cargo Space
321 l
280 l
Kerb Weight
2560 kg
1108 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3040 kg
1570 kg
Payload Capacity
480 kg
-
Towing Capacity
0 kg
-
Seating Capacity
4 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
2 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.35 m
-
Front Headroom
1018 mm
-
Rear Headroom
963 mm
-
Front Legroom
1054 mm
-
Rear Legroom
937 mm
-
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Engine
6.592-litre twin-turbo V12
Not Officially Disclosed
Engine Code
N74B66A
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
6592 cc
1000 cc
Cylinders
12
Not Officially Disclosed
Cylinder Layout
V
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
48
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Twin Turbocharged
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
89 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
88.3 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
420 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
81 kW
Maximum Torque
820 Nm @ 1600-4750 rpm
200 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
RWD
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Manual
Top Speed
250 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
5.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
12.8 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Low
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
164.1 kW/tonne
73.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
320.3 Nm/tonne
180.5 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Gearbox
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Manual
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
4x2
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
2.813
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
6
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Manual
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Steering-column selector for 8-speed automatic
Manual
Drivetrain
RWD
4x2
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
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
No
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
8-speed automatic / 8HP95
Manual
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Two axles
4x2
Transmission Speeds
8
6
LSD Available
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Differential Type Front
Not confirmed
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Claimed Mileage
6.99 km/l
22.2 km/l
City Mileage
4.59 km/l
17.9 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.10 km/l
26.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
82 l
45 l
Emission Standard
EU6
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
No automatic engine stop/start
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
6.99 km/l
22.2 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
82
45
Combined Driving Range
575 km
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
522.93 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Airbags
6
4
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
ESP
Not Available
Traction Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Hill-start assist
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
Not Applicable
Child-seat support
ISOFIX Mounts
LATCH child-seat anchor system
Standard
Brake Assist
Dynamic Brake Control
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Engine immobiliser
Not Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Not Available
Front Parking Sensors
Front Park Distance Control
Not Available
AEB
Available
Not Available
BA
Dynamic Brake Control
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Not Applicable
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Standard
Not Available
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Not Available
Hill Hold
Hill-start assist
Not Available
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front and rear
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Driver and front-passenger seat-belt warning sensor
Not Available
Side Airbags
Front side-impact airbags
Not Available
Stability Control
ESP
Not Available
TCS
Standard
Not Available
Knee Airbag
Front active knee protection
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Cruise Control
Automatic Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Optional
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Park-distance system
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Glare-free high-beam technology
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing variable-speed wipers
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear Park Distance Control
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Optional rear-view camera with top view
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Automatic distance-control cruise with stop-and-start traffic response
Not Available
Park Assist
Front and rear parking sensors
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Optional camera system with rear, top and side views
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Pre-collision safety system
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Optional
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not confirmed
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not confirmed
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not confirmed
Not Available
EV Mode
Not confirmed
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Not confirmed
Standard
Reversing Camera
Not confirmed
Standard
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Seat Material
Leather
Cloth
Heated Seats
Front; standard
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Optional front ventilated seats
Not Applicable
Ambient Lighting
Optional – Atmospheric Interior Environment
Not Applicable
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Not Applicable
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment and memory
Not Applicable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electrically adjustable with lumbar adjustment
Not Applicable
Seat Trim
Leather
Cloth
Front Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Interior Colour Options
Not confirmed
Black
Fabric Seats
Not confirmed
Cloth
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Not confirmed
Simple dashboard layout, touchscreen infotainment in higher trims
Interior Trim Colour
Not confirmed
Black
Interior Colours
Not confirmed
Black
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Climate Control
Individual front and rear climate controls
Not Available
Power Windows
Standard
Not Available
Keyless Entry
Comfort Entry keyless access
Not Available
Push Button Start
Keyless ignition
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Applicable
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Smart power opening and closing luggage-compartment lid
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Individual front and rear climate controls
Not Available
Load Bed Length
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Wireless Charging
Not confirmed
Not Available
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Adaptive Dampers
Not confirmed
Not Available
Fuel Consumption Combined
Not confirmed
4,5
Performance Data Logger
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rev Matching
Not confirmed
Not Available
Skid Plates
Not confirmed
Not Available
Battery Preconditioning
Not confirmed
Not Available
Bed Extender
Not confirmed
Not Available
Canopy Fitment
Not confirmed
Not Available
Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Difflock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Intelligent Battery System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Cover
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Light
Not confirmed
Not Available
Load Bed Steps
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Length Mm
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not confirmed
Not Available
Loadbox Width Mm
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Mudflaps
Not confirmed
Standard/available
One Pedal Driving
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Diff Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Electric Motor
Not confirmed
Not Available
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not confirmed
Not Available
Source Model Column
Not confirmed
polo-vivo
Sport Plus Mode
Not confirmed
Not Available
Sports Bar
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tailgate Damper
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tailgate Lock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Tow Bar Type
Not confirmed
Not Available
Trim Level
Not confirmed
flagship
Variant Role
Not confirmed
Flagship / premium derivative
Vehicle To Grid
Not confirmed
Not Available
Vehicle To Load
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Infotainment System
Multimedia interface and navigation with Spirit of Ecstasy Rotary Controller
SYNC
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Not Available
Number of Speakers
18
Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
Analogue instruments with Power Reserve gauge
Not Applicable
USB Ports
Standard
Not Available
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch high-definition display
SYNC
Touchscreen
10.25-inch high-definition display
SYNC
Apple CarPlay
Not confirmed
Not Available
Android Auto
Not confirmed
Not Available
Infotainment Screen Size
10.25-inch high-definition display
SYNC
Connected Services
Not confirmed
SYNC
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
LED Headlamps
Standard
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Not Available
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Bespoke exterior colour commissioning
6
Headlights
Standard
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Applicable
Not Available
Fog Lamps
Not confirmed
Not Available
Body Type
Not confirmed
Hatchback
Exterior Colour Options
Not confirmed
6
Load Bed Liner
Not confirmed
Not Available
Active Exhaust
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
-
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Approach Angle
Not confirmed
-
Departure Angle
Not confirmed
-
Locking Differential
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Underbody Protection
Not confirmed
Not Available
Approach Angle Deg
Not confirmed
-
Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
Not Available
Departure Angle Deg
Not confirmed
-
Energy Recovery Display
Not confirmed
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
Not confirmed
143 mm
Ground Clearance Min
Not confirmed
143 mm
Off Road Descent Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
Not confirmed
Not Available
Crawl Control
Not confirmed
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not confirmed
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not confirmed
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
Not confirmed
Not Available
Terrain Response System
Not confirmed
Not Available
Underbody Camera
Not confirmed
Not Available
Wading Depth Mm
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Tyre Size
Front 255/45 R20 101Y; rear 285/40 R20 104Y
Not Available
Front Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Not Available
Rear Brake Type
Power-assisted ventilated disc
Not Available
Spare Wheel Type
No spare wheel; run-flat tyres
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
Front 8.5 x 20; rear 9.5 x 20
Not Available
Handbrake Type
Electromechanical parking brake acting on the rear wheels
Not Applicable
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Front Suspension
Double-wishbone pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Not Available
Rear Suspension
Multi-link pneumatic suspension with newly designed self-levelling air springs, active roll control and continuous electronic damping
Not Available
Front Track Width
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
Rear Track Width
Not confirmed
Not Applicable
MagneRide Damping
Not confirmed
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
CO2 Emissions
326 g/km
132 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
Designed for 95 RON; minimum 91 RON
Petrol
Hybrid System Type
Not confirmed
Not Available
Particulate Filter
Not confirmed
Not Available
Idle CO2 Output
Not confirmed
132
CO2 Emissions G Km
Not confirmed
132
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Service Plan
4 years, unlimited kilometres
Not Available
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Ownership Role
Historical South African Dawn derivative launched locally in March 2016 and documented locally in 2018; the March 2022 global Dawn order-book closure is an outer bound, not proof of the exact South African withdrawal year, while production ended in 2023.
South Africa market model
Pricing Role
Historical price on application
Active local lineup
Price Zar
Not confirmed
363300 ZAR
Starting Price
Not confirmed
363300
Starting Price Zar
Not confirmed
363300
Spec
Dawn
Polo-Vivo
Warranty
4 years, unlimited kilometres
3 years / 120 000 km
Basic Warranty
4 years, unlimited kilometres
3 years / 120 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Dawn and Polo-Vivo 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: Dawn 97 vs Polo-Vivo 35.
Efficiency index: Dawn 31 vs Polo-Vivo 80.
Safety-equipment index: Dawn 90 vs Polo-Vivo 59.
Practicality index: Dawn 52 vs Polo-Vivo 54.
Ownership-cover index: Dawn not separately scored vs Polo-Vivo 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
Dawn and Polo-Vivo 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
Dawn leads by 15 points
Dawn holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Polo-Vivo.
Performance
Dawn +62
Efficiency
Polo-Vivo +49
Safety
Dawn +31
Practicality
Polo-Vivo +2
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Dawn
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
90/100
Practicality
52/100
Polo-Vivo
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
80/100
Safety
59/100
Practicality
54/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexRolls-Royce Dawn
leads the specification evidence index with 70 pts
vs 55 pts for Polo-Vivo
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Dawn leads. However, Polo-Vivo 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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