Volkswagen Polo Sedan vs Toyota Rumion

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Volkswagen Polo Sedan

1.0 Style Tiptronic AT Petrol Automatic

ZAR 482,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 70 kW 🔧 175 Nm ⛽ 18.9 km/l

Toyota Rumion

1.5 XS CVT Petrol Automatic

ZAR 389,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 77 kW 🔧 140 Nm ⛽ 14.7 km/l

＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Tie

⛽ Fuel Economy Polo Sedan

🛡 Safety Tie

📦 Practicality Polo Sedan

🔑 Ownership Rumion

Rumion starts ZAR 382600 cheaper Polo Sedan from ZAR 382,600 · Rumion from ZAR 339,900

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Engine Power	70	77
Torque	175	140
Engine Size	999	1496
Claimed Mileage	18.9	14.7
Ground Clearance	130	155
Boot Space	460	300
Airbags	6	6
Kerb Weight	1125	1185
Seating Capacity	Available	Available
Warranty	2	3

= leads in this spec

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

Polo Sedan

/ 100

pts

Rumion

/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

The Bottom Line

Both Polo Sedan and Rumion are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Equal

Efficiency Polo Sedan +3 pts

Safety Equal

Practicality Polo Sedan +1 pts

Ownership Rumion +4 pts

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Polo Sedan

Performance 6/20

Efficiency 11/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 11/20

Ownership 8/20

Rumion

Performance 6/20

Efficiency 8/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 10/20

Ownership 12/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Polo Sedan

Strengths

Better fuel efficiency
More practical for daily use

Weak Spots

Shorter warranty coverage

Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Rumion

Strengths

Better long-term ownership value

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency
Less practical in daily usage

Best suited to: General Use

Which One's Right for You?

Polo Sedan

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Large families needing more practicality and usability

Rumion

Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Ground Clearance	130	155
Wheelbase	2552	2750
Length	4440	4475
Width	1699	1695
Height	1467	1620
Kerb Weight	1125	1185
Gross Vehicle Weight	1555	1660
Seating Capacity	5	7
Boot Space	460	300
Towing Capacity	Not Available	Not Rated
Front Track Width	1522	1490
Rear Track Width	1497	1485
Turning Radius	5.3	5.2
Boot Space Seats Folded	1500	1500
Load Bed Length	Available	Available
Load Bed Width	Available	Available
Front Legroom	Available	Available
Rear Legroom	Available	Available
Front Headroom	Available	Available
Rear Headroom	Available	Available
Front Shoulder Room	Available	Available
Rear Shoulder Room	Available	Available
Number of Doors	Available	5
Max Payload	Available	Available
Boot Volume	Available	Available
Doors	Available	Available
Seats	Available	Available
Front Overhang	Available	Available
Fuel Tank Capacity	Available	Available
Rear Overhang	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Engine	1.0L TSI Petrol	1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Type	Inline 3 Cylinder Turbocharged	Inline 4 Cylinder
Displacement	999	1496
Cylinders	3	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	70	77
Power @ RPM	5000 rpm	6000 rpm
Torque	175	140
Torque @ RPM	2000 rpm	4200 rpm
Fuel System	Direct Injection Turbocharged	Multi-Point Injection
Turbocharger	Standard	Not Available
Top Speed	183	175
0-100 km/h	10.9	12.5
Compression Ratio	10.5:1	12.5:1
Engine Position	Front Transverse	Front Transverse
Cylinder Layout	Inline 4 (I4)	Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration	Turbocharged	Turbocharged
Engine Code	Standard	Standard
Cylinder Bore	82.0	82.0
Piston Stroke	92.0	92.0
Fuel Grade Required	Petrol	Petrol
Engine Oil Capacity	Available	Available
Power	150	150
Variable Valve Timing	Available	Available
Maximum Engine RPM	Available	Available
Engine Type Config	Available	Available
0–100 km/h	Available	Available
Battery Capacity	Available	Available
Charging Port	Available	Available
AC Charging Time	Available	Available
Engine Displacement	Available	Available
EV Range	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Transmission	7-Speed DSG	CVT Automatic
Drive Type	FWD	FWD
Drivetrain Layout	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available	Not Available	Not Available
Paddle Shifters	Standard	Not Available
Transfer Case	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Differential Lock	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Number of Gears	6	6
Transmission	Automatic CVT	Automatic CVT
Transmission Type	Automatic	Automatic
Final Drive Ratio	Available	Available
Steering Turns Lock to Lock	Available	Available
Clutch Type	Available	Available
Drivetrain	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Claimed Mileage	18.9	14.7
City Mileage	14	11
Highway Mileage	20	16
Fuel Tank Capacity	45	43
Emission Standard	Euro 6	Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop	Standard	Not Available
Average Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Claimed Fuel Consumption	Available	Available
Distance To Empty	Available	Available
Low Fuel Warning	Available	Available
Fuel Efficiency	Available	Available
Real-world Mileage	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Airbags	6	6
ABS	Standard	Standard
Electronic Stability Control	Standard	Standard
Traction Control	Standard	Standard
Hill Descent Control	Not Available	Not Available
Hill Start Assist	Standard	Standard
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Standard
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Standard
Brake Assist	Standard	Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Standard
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Standard
Alarm System	Standard	Standard
Central Locking	Standard	Standard
Side Impact Beams	Standard	Standard
Front Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Yes	Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats	Available	Available
Speed Alert System	Available	Available
Pedestrian Detection AEB	Available	Available
Safety Rating	Available	Available
Whiplash Protection	Available	Available
Lane Change Warning	Available	Available
AEB	Available	Available
BA	Available	Available
Brake Override System	Available	Available
Curtain Airbags	Available	Available
Driver Airbag	Available	Available
EBD	Available	Available
Engine Immobiliser	Available	Available
Fatigue Detection	Available	Available
Hill Hold	Available	Available
Passenger Airbag	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Available	Available
Side Airbags	Available	Available
TCS	Available	Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	Available	Available
Knee Airbag	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Cruise Control	Standard	Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control	Not Available	Not Available
Lane Keep Assist	Not Available	Not Available
Lane Departure Warning	Standard	Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring	Standard	Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Not Available	Not Available
Parking Sensors	Rear	Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Not Available	Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Not Available	Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert	Not Available	Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition	Not Available	Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors	Yes	Yes
Auto Highbeam	Available	Available
Auto Lights	Available	Available
Auto Wipers	Available	Available
Drive Modes	Available	Available
Eco Mode	Available	Available
EV Mode	Available	Available
Reverse Camera	Available	Available
Sport Mode	Available	Available
Adaptive Cruise Control	Available	Available
Park Assist	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Seat Material	Fabric/Leatherette	Fabric
Seat Adjustment	Manual	Manual
Heated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Ventilated Seats	Not Available	Not Available
Steering Type	Electric Power Assisted	Electric Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Standard	Not Available
Folding Rear Seats	60/40 Split	60/40 Split
Front Armrest	Rear Centre Armrest	Standard
Rear Armrest	Not Available	Standard
Interior Colour Options	Black	Black
Leather Seats	Available	Available
Cup Holders	Available	4
Rear AC Vents	Available	Available
Rear USB Ports	Available	Available
Steering Wheel Material	Available	Available
Instrument Cluster Type	Available	Available
Driver Lumbar Support	Available	Available
Door Map Pockets	Available	Available
60 40 Split Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Driver Seat	Available	Available
Adjustable Front Seat	Available	Available
Cooled Seats	Available	Available
Driver Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Fabric Seats	Available	Available
Front Headrest	Available	Available
Memory Seats	Available	Available
Passenger Seat Adjustment	Available	Available
Rear Headrest	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Climate Control	Single-zone Automatic	Automatic AC
Power Windows	All Doors	All Doors
Keyless Entry	Standard	Standard
Push Button Start	Not Available	Standard
Wireless Charging	Not Available	Optional
Sunroof	Standard	Not Available
Electric Tailgate	Not Available	Not Available
Automatic Headlamps	Standard	Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers	Standard	Not Available
Auto Dimming Mirror	Not Available	Not Available
Power Mirrors	Power Adjustment	Power Adjustment
Payload Capacity	500	500
Rear Window Defroster	Available	Available
Electric Mirror Folding	Available	Available
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	Available	Available
Follow Me Home Headlamps	Available	Available
12V Accessory Socket	Available	Available
Speed Limiter	Available	Available
AC Type	Available	Available
Adaptive Dampers	Available	Available
Aero Kit	Available	Available
Auto Dimming Irvm	Available	Available
Boot Opener	Available	Available
Chrome Exterior Highlights	Available	Available
Chrome Grille	Available	Available
Climate Zones	Available	Available
Door Ajar Warning	Available	Available
Drag Coefficient	Available	Available
Driver Display	Available	Available
Electric Folding Mirrors	Available	Available
Engine Check Warning	Available	Available
Engine Start Button Illumination	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop	Available	Available
Engine Start Stop Button	Available	Available
Engine Warranty	Available	Available
Exhaust Finish	Available	Available
Exhaust Type	Available	Available
Front Armrest	Available	Available
Front Power Outlet	150	150
Fuel Consumption Combined	Available	Available
Fuel Lid Opener	Available	Available
Gear Shift Type	Available	Available
Glovebox Cooling	Available	Available
Ground Clearance Unladen	Available	Available
Headlamp Height Adjust	Available	Available
Headlamp Washer	Available	Available
Headrest Adjustable	Available	Available
Heads Up Display	Available	Available
Hill Start Assist	Available	Available
Impact Sensing Door Unlock	Available	Available
Intercooler	Available	Available
Launch Control	Available	Available
Multi Function Steering	Available	Available
Panoramic Roof	Available	Available
Performance Data Logger	Available	Available
Push Button Start	Available	Available
Rear Defogger	Available	Available
Rear Reading Lamps	Available	Available
Rear Seat Split	Available	Available
Rear Wing	Available	Available
Remote Engine Start	Available	Available
Rev Matching	Available	Available
Ride Mode Selection	Available	Available
Roof Antenna	Available	Available
Seat Type	Available	Available
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner	Available	Available
Seatbelt Reminder	Available	Available
Service Plan	Available	Available
Service Reminder	Available	Available
Side Steps	Available	Available
Skid Plates	Available	Available
Spare Wheel	Available	Available
Speed Alert System	Available	Available
Stability Control	Available	Available
Stabilizer Bar	Available	Available
Steering Mounted Controls	Available	Available
Steering Response	Available	Available
Tachometer	Available	Available
Tail Lamps	Available	Available
Telescopic Steering	Available	Available
Tilt Steering	Available	Available
Trip Computer	Available	Available
Tyre Repair Kit	Available	Available
Valves Per Cylinder	Available	Available
Vanity Mirror	Available	Available
Voice Command	Available	Available
Voice Command Support	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Infotainment Screen	9-inch Touchscreen	9-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Standard	Standard
Android Auto	Standard	Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Standard
Number of Speakers	6	6
Navigation System	Standard	Optional
Digital Instrument Cluster	Standard	Partial Digital
USB Ports	2	3
Wireless Apple CarPlay	Standard	Not Available
FM Radio	Yes	Yes
Steering Wheel Audio Controls	Available	Available
Voice Recognition	Available	Available
AUX Input	Yes	Yes
Infotainment Screen Size	Available	Available
Wi-Fi Hotspot	Available	Available
Audio Controls On Steering	Available	Available
Infotainment Display	Available	Available
Rear Usb	Available	Available
Premium Audio	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
LED Headlamps	LED	LED Projector
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	LED	Standard
Roof Rails	Not Available	Standard
Alloy Wheel Design	16-inch Alloy	16-inch Alloy Wheels
Chrome Exterior Finish	Not Available	Not Available
Body Cladding	Not Available	Not Available
Rear Spoiler	Not Available	Not Available
Door Handle Finish	Chrome Finish	Chrome Finish
Exterior Colour Options	Pearl White	Pearl White
Roof Type	Available	Available
Wing Mirror Type	Available	Available
Rear Wiper	Available	Available
Body Type	Available	Available
DRL	Available	Available
Fog Lights	Available	Available
Front Fog Lights	Available	Available
Led Headlights	Available	Available
Led Taillights	Available	Available
Rear Fog Lights	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Tyre Size	195/55 R16	195/60 R16
Wheel Type	Alloy	Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Drum
Spare Wheel Type	Full Size	Full Size Steel
Front Brake Disc Diameter	300	300
Rear Brake Drum Diameter	Available	Available
Parking Brake Type	Available	Available
Tyre Load Index	Available	Available
Tyre Speed Rating	Available	Available
Wheel Rim Size	Available	Available
Brake Type Front	Available	Available
Brake Type Rear	Available	Available
Spare Tyre	Available	Available
Tyre Type	Available	Available
Front Tyre Width	Available	Available
Rear Tyre Width	Available	Available
Wheel Diameter	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Front Suspension	MacPherson Strut	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Torsion Beam	Torsion Beam
Chassis Type	Monocoque	Monocoque
Power Steering	Electric	Electric
Steering Column	Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Front Spring Type	Coil Spring	Coil Spring
Front Anti-Roll Bar	Yes	Yes
Rear Spring Type	Available	Available
Rear Anti-Roll Bar	Available	Available
Shock Absorber Type	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Service Interval	15,000 km or 1 Year	15,000 km or 1 Year
Approx Service Cost	Approx R4,200	Approx R4,000
Battery Warranty	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan	Optional	Optional
Engine Oil Change Interval	Available	Available
First Service At	Available	5000
Service Plan Duration	Available	Available
Service Plan Distance	Available	Available
Anti-Rust Treatment	Available	Available
Alternator	Available	Available
Battery Type	Available	Available
Gear Shift Indicator	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Warranty Years	2	3
Warranty Kilometers	Unlimited	100000
Roadside Assistance	Not Available	3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	6 Years	6 Years
Basic Warranty	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
CO2 Emissions	118	120
Start Stop System	Standard	Not Available
Hybrid System Type	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
Noise Level	67	69
Idle CO2 Output	2.0	2.0
Fuel Octane Requirement	Unleaded 95 RON	Unleaded 95 RON
Particulate Filter	Available	Available
Euro Emission Standard	Available	Available
Green NCAP Rating	Available	Available
Fuel Evaporation Control	Available	Available

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
Real-world City Mileage Min	7	11
Real-world City Mileage Max	8.5	14
Real-world Highway Mileage Min	5.5	14
Real-world Highway Mileage Max	6.5	17
Owner Review Count	8	14

Spec	Polo Sedan	Rumion
4WD System Type	Part-time 4WD	Part-time 4WD
Approach Angle	25	25
Departure Angle	23	23
Wading Depth	600	600
Terrain Modes	Available	Available
Locking Differential	Available	Available
Underbody Protection	Available	Available
Ramp Breakover Angle	Available	Available
Recovery Hooks	Available	Available
Hill Descent Control	Available	Available
Ramp-over Angle	Available	Available

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Volkswagen Polo Sedan wins with 54 pts vs 54 pts for Rumion

In structured scoring, Polo Sedan emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Rumion may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

On our scoring the Polo Sedan edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.

Efficiency scores: Polo Sedan 11 vs Rumion 8. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.

Safety scores: Polo Sedan 18, Rumion 18. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.

Long-term ownership scores: Polo Sedan 8, Rumion 12. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.

Practicality scores: Polo Sedan 11, Rumion 10. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Polo Sedan 6, Rumion 6. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.

Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.

Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.

Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Polo Sedan edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.

The Polo Sedan scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Polo Sedan and Rumion in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Polo Sedan scores 6 vs 6.

Efficiency: Polo Sedan scores 11 vs 8.

Safety: Polo Sedan scores 18 vs 18.

Practicality: Polo Sedan scores 11 vs 10.

Ownership: Polo Sedan scores 8 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Polo Sedan the advantage in this comparison.

Volkswagen Polo Sedan vs Toyota Rumion

Volkswagen Polo Sedan

Toyota Rumion

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Key Specs Side by Side

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

Polo Sedan

Rumion

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

Polo Sedan

Rumion

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Polo Sedan

Rumion

Which One's Right for You?

Polo Sedan

Rumion

Full Specs, Side by Side

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down