Polo holds a noticeable edge over Polo-Vivo, especially in key ownership areas.
Key Differences At A Glance
Performance
Polo
+7 pts
Efficiency
Polo-Vivo
+1 pts
Safety
Polo
+14 pts
Practicality
Equal
Ownership
Equal
Category Score Breakdown
🏆 Overall Winner
Polo
Performance
12/20
Efficiency
9/20
Safety
20/20
Practicality
10/20
Ownership
12/20
Polo-Vivo
Performance
5/20
Efficiency
10/20
Safety
6/20
Practicality
10/20
Ownership
12/20
Pros & Cons
🏆 Overall Winner
Polo
Pros
More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package
Cons
Lower fuel efficiency
Best For:Highway Driving
Polo-Vivo
Pros
Better fuel efficiency
Cons
Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features
Best For:Fuel Efficiency
Who Should Buy Which?
Polo
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Polo-Vivo
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Full Specification Comparison
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Ground Clearance
151
168
Wheelbase
2564
2470
Length
4053
3972
Width
1751
1682
Height
1461
1462
Kerb Weight
1105
1050
Gross Vehicle Weight
1530
1560
Seating Capacity
5
5
Boot Space
351
280
Towing Capacity
1000
800
Front Track Width
1522
-
Rear Track Width
1497
-
Turning Radius
5.1
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Engine
1.4L TSI Turbocharged Petrol (GTI)
1.4L Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Type
Inline 3 Cylinder Turbocharged
Inline 4 Cylinder
Displacement
1395
1390
Cylinders
4
4
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Power
147
63
Power @ RPM
5000-5500 rpm
-
Torque
250
132
Torque @ RPM
2000-3500 rpm
-
Fuel System
Direct Injection
Multi Point Injection
Turbocharger
Single Turbo
-
Top Speed
230
177
0-100 km/h
6.7
11.8
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
-
Engine Position
Front Transverse
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Transmission
7-Speed DSG
5-Speed Manual
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Drivetrain Layout
Front Wheel Drive
Front Engine Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available
Not Available
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
-
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Claimed Mileage
16.4
16.5
City Mileage
12
13
Highway Mileage
18
18
Fuel Tank Capacity
40
45
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro 5 Equivalent
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
-
Auto Start Stop
Standard
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Airbags
7
2
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Not Available
Traction Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
-
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
Standard
-
Central Locking
Standard
-
Side Impact Beams
Standard
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
-
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Rear
Rear Only
Rear View Camera
Standard
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Seat Material
Sport Leather
Cloth
Seat Adjustment
Manual
Manual
Heated Seats
Front
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Type
Electric Power Assisted
Power Assisted
Steering Adjustment
Height Adjustable
Tilt Adjustable
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 Split
-
Front Armrest
Not Available
-
Rear Armrest
Not Available
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Climate Control
Automatic AC
Manual AC
Power Windows
All Doors
Front Only
Keyless Entry
Smart Entry
Remote Central Locking
Push Button Start
Standard
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Applicable
Automatic Headlamps
Standard
-
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
-
Auto Dimming Mirror
Not Available
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Infotainment Screen
8-inch Touchscreen
6.5-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Supported
Android Auto
Standard
Supported
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
4
Navigation System
Standard
Not Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital Cockpit
-
USB Ports
3
-
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
LED Headlamps
LED
Halogen
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Not Available
Fog Lamps
LED
Front Only
Roof Rails
Not Available
Not Available
Alloy Wheel Design
18-inch GTI Alloy
Steel Wheels with Covers
Chrome Exterior Finish
Not Available
-
Body Cladding
Not Available
-
Rear Spoiler
GTI Rear Spoiler
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Tyre Size
225/40 R18
185/60 R15
Wheel Type
Alloy
Steel
Front Brake Type
Ventilated Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Full Size Steel
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
Chassis Type
Monocoque
Monocoque
Power Steering
Electric
-
Steering Column
Height Adjustable
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Service Interval
15,000 km or 1 Year
15000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost
Approx R4,200
Low
Battery Warranty
Not Applicable
1 Year
Maintenance Plan
Optional
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Warranty Years
3
3
Warranty Kilometers
100000
120000
Roadside Assistance
3 Years
3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
6 Years
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
CO2 Emissions
152
142
Start Stop System
Standard
Not Available
Hybrid System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Noise Level
67
-
Specification
Polo
Polo-Vivo
Approach Angle
-
14
Departure Angle
-
15
Wading Depth
-
300
Terrain Modes
-
Not Available
Locking Differential
-
Not Available
Final Verdict
🏆Volkswagen Polo
wins with 63 pts
vs 43 pts for Polo-Vivo
In structured scoring, Polo emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Polo-Vivo may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
