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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
Yaris
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
Polo
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Yaris
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
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
Polo
Yaris
Model Introduced Year
2018
2020
Generation
Sixth generation Polo on MQB-A0 platform
Current generation on Toyota's TNGA-B platform
Facelift History
Facelift in 2022 with updated tech and styling
Regular updates with improved safety and features
Facelift Launched Since
2022
2021
Facelift Version Ending
Current
2024
Body Style
Hatchback
Hatchback
Color Note
White, Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, Red
Not confirmed
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Not confirmed
Drivetrain Note
4x2 configuration for the local line-up
Not confirmed
Model Year
Current
2021
Production Status
published
discontinued
Segment
Hatchback
Hatchback
Tare Mass Kg
1247 kg
1110 kg
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
Hatchback
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Length
4074 mm
4180 mm
Width
1751 mm
1745 mm
Height
1431 mm
1500 mm
Wheelbase
2549 mm
2550 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
133 mm
160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
40 l
42 l
Boot/Cargo Space
305 l
286 l
Kerb Weight
1247 kg
1110 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1780 kg
1515 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
10.6 m
5.1 m
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
125 mm
Payload Capacity
-
405 kg
Towing Capacity
-
1600 kg
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
991 mm
Rear Headroom
-
940 mm
Front Legroom
-
1039 mm
Rear Legroom
-
881 mm
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Front Track Width
1501 mm
1490 mm
Rear Track Width
1484 mm
1490 mm
Front Suspension
Not Available
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Torsion Beam
Power Steering
Standard
Electric
Chassis Type
-
Monocoque
Steering Column
-
Tilt and Telescopic
Front Suspension Type
Not Available
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension Type
Not Available
Torsion Beam
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Climate Control
Standard
Automatic AC
Power Windows
Not Available
All Doors
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Optional
Sunroof
Not Available
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
305 l
Not confirmed
12V Accessory Socket
Standard
Not confirmed
AC Type
Standard
Automatic AC
Climate Zones
Standard
Not confirmed
Front Armrest
Centre console
Not confirmed
Front Power Outlet
Standard
Not confirmed
Fuel Consumption Combined
5.3
Not confirmed
Multi Function Steering
Standard
Not confirmed
Skid Plates
Not Available
Not confirmed
Air Conditioning
Standard
Automatic AC
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
Not confirmed
Bed Extender
Not Available
Not confirmed
Canopy Fitment
Not Available
Not confirmed
Centre Console
Standard
Not confirmed
Diff Lock
Not Available
Not confirmed
Difflock
Not Available
Not confirmed
Front Diff Lock
Not Available
Not confirmed
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
Not confirmed
Load Bed Cover
Not Available
Not confirmed
Load Bed Light
Not Available
Not confirmed
Load Bed Steps
Not Available
Not confirmed
Loadbox Depth Mm
Not Available
Not confirmed
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Loadbox Rope Hooks
Not Available
Not confirmed
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Not Available
Not confirmed
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Manual Aircon
Standard
Not confirmed
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
Not confirmed
Power Socket 12v
Standard
Not confirmed
Rear Diff Lock
Not Available
Not confirmed
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
Not confirmed
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
Not confirmed
Source Model Column
polo
Not confirmed
Sports Bar
Not Available
Not confirmed
Tailgate Damper
Not Available
Not confirmed
Tailgate Lock
Not Available
Not confirmed
Tow Bar Type
Not Available
Not confirmed
Trim Level
flagship
Not confirmed
Variant Role
Performance-focused derivative
Not confirmed
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
Not confirmed
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
Not confirmed
Automatic Headlamps
-
Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror
-
Standard
Engine Start Stop
Not Available
Standard
Engine Start Stop Button
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Spare Wheel
Not Available
Full Size Steel
Rim Size
Not Available
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Sound System
Not Available
6
Unlocking
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charger
Not Available
Optional
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Engine
Not Officially Disclosed
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Market-specific engine family
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2000 cc
1496 cc
Cylinders
Not Officially Disclosed
3
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Not Officially Disclosed
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
13.0:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
82.0 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
147 kW
88 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
320 Nm
145 Nm @ 4800 rpm
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
Not Officially Disclosed
FWD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
CVT
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
182 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
11.2 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
15.5 sec
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
117.9 kW/tonne
79.3 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
256.6 Nm/tonne
130.6 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
Polo
Yaris
Gearbox
DCT
CVT Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
4x2
Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Yes
Number of Gears
Not Applicable
6
Transmission Type
Dual-Clutch Automatic
CVT Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Yes
Gear Shift Type
DCT
Yes
Drivetrain
4x2
FWD
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
Not Applicable
Yes
Differential Type Front
Not Available
Not confirmed
Differential Type Rear
Not Available
Not confirmed
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
DCT
CVT Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transfer Case Guard
Not Available
Not confirmed
Transmission Speeds
Not Applicable
6
Engine Position
-
Front Transverse
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Claimed Mileage
18.9 km/l
15.1 km/l
City Mileage
15.2 km/l
11 km/l
Highway Mileage
22.3 km/l
17 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
40 l
42 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
18.9 km/l
15.1 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
40
42
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Airbags
6
7
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
Traction Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Not Available
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Standard
Brake Assist
Not Available
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
AEB
Not Available
Standard
BA
Not Available
Yes
Brake Override System
Not Available
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Driver Airbag
Not Available
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Yes
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Not Available
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
Yes
Side Airbags
Not Available
Yes
Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
TCS
Not Available
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
-
Standard
Central Locking
-
Standard
Side Impact Beams
-
Standard
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Yes
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Standard
EV Mode
Not Available
Not confirmed
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Available
Yes
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Yes
Rear View Camera
Standard
Not confirmed
Reversing Camera
Standard
Not confirmed
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Seat Material
Cloth
Fabric
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Steering Type
Standard
Electric
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Front Armrest
Centre console
Standard
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
Not confirmed
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
Yes
Interior Colour Options
Black
Not confirmed
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Manual multi-way
Fabric Seats
Cloth
Not confirmed
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
Manual multi-way
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Digital cockpit, infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, quality cabin materials
Not confirmed
Interior Trim Colour
Black
Not confirmed
Floor Mats
Standard
Not confirmed
Interior Colours
Black
Not confirmed
Seat Trim
Cloth
Yes
Seat Adjustment
-
Manual
Steering Adjustment
-
Tilt and Telescopic
Folding Rear Seats
-
60/40 Split
Rear Armrest
-
Not Available
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Infotainment System
SYNC
9-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Not Available
Standard
Android Auto
Not Available
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Not Available
Standard
Number of Speakers
Not Available
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Applicable
Full Digital
USB Ports
Not Available
2
Infotainment Screen Size
SYNC
10.1
Infotainment Screen
SYNC
10.1
Connected Services
SYNC
Not confirmed
Touchscreen
SYNC
10.1
Navigation System
-
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Not Available
Standard
Audio Speakers
Not Available
6
Spec
Polo
Yaris
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Full LED
Daytime Running Lamps
Not Available
LED
Fog Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Roof Rails
Not Available
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
6
Multiple manufacturer colours
Body Type
Hatchback
Not confirmed
Exterior Colour Options
6
Not confirmed
Headlights
Not Available
Full LED
Load Bed Liner
Not Available
Not confirmed
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Yes
Alloy Wheel Design
-
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Chrome Exterior Finish
-
Not Available
Body Cladding
-
Not Available
Rear Spoiler
-
Not Available
DRL
Not Available
LED
Led Headlights
Not Available
Full LED
Daytime Running Lights
Not Available
LED
Front Fog Lamps
Not Available
Standard
Headlamps
Not Available
Full LED
Headlight Type
Not Available
Full LED
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Approach Angle
-
25 deg
Departure Angle
-
23 deg
Wading Depth
-
500 mm
Terrain Modes
Not Available
Normal; Eco; Sport; Off-road
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Underbody Protection
Not Available
Not confirmed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Approach Angle Deg
-
Not confirmed
Breakover Angle
Not Available
20 deg
Departure Angle Deg
-
Not confirmed
Energy Recovery Display
Not Available
Not confirmed
Front Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
Not confirmed
Ground Clearance Max
133 mm
160 mm
Ground Clearance Min
133 mm
160 mm
Off Road Descent Control
Not Available
Not confirmed
Off Road Traction Assist
Not Available
Not confirmed
Crawl Control
Not Available
Not confirmed
Rear Skid Plate Guard
Not Available
Not confirmed
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
Not Available
Not confirmed
Skid Plates Transfer Case
Not Available
Not confirmed
Terrain Mode Mud
Not Available
Not confirmed
Terrain Mode Normal
Not Available
Not confirmed
Terrain Mode Rock
Not Available
Not confirmed
Terrain Mode Sand
Not Available
Not confirmed
Terrain Mode Snow
Not Available
Not confirmed
Terrain Response System
Not Available
Not confirmed
Underbody Camera
Not Available
Not confirmed
Wading Depth Mm
-
Not confirmed
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Tyre Size
Not Available
195/55 R16
Front Brake Type
Not Available
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Not Available
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Not Available
Full Size Steel
Wheel Rim Size
Not Available
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Fifth Wheel Prep
Not Available
Not confirmed
Handbrake Type
Not Applicable
Yes
Leather Steering Wheel
Standard
Not confirmed
Steering Wheel Trim
Standard
Not confirmed
Wheel Type
-
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Brake Type Front
-
Ventilated Disc
Brake Type Rear
-
Drum
Spare Tyre
Not Available
Full Size Steel
Wheel Diameter
Not Available
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Wheels
-
15-inch Alloy Wheels
Spec
Polo
Yaris
CO2 Emissions
121 g/km
116 g/km
Hybrid System Type
Not Available
Not Applicable
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
Not confirmed
Particulate Filter
Not Available
Not confirmed
Idle CO2 Output
121
Not confirmed
CO2 Emissions G Km
121
Not confirmed
Start Stop System
-
Not Available
Noise Level
-
68 dB
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Basic Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
3
Warranty
3 years / 120 000 km
3
Warranty Years
3 years / 120 000 km
3
Warranty Kilometers
3 years / 120 000 km
3
Roadside Assistance
-
3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
-
6 Years
Roadside Assistance
-
3 Years
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Service Plan
Not Available
Yes
Service Interval
-
15,000 km or 1 Year
Approx Service Cost
-
Approx R3,800
Battery Warranty
-
Not Applicable
Maintenance Plan
-
Optional
Service Intervals
-
15,000 km or 1 Year
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Ownership Role
South Africa market model
Private and family
Price Zar
585800 ZAR
359900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Active local lineup
Historical listed price
Starting Price
585800
359900
Starting Price Zar
585800
359900
Spec
Polo
Yaris
Real-world City Mileage Min
-
12 l/100km
Real-world City Mileage Max
-
15 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
-
16 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
-
19 l/100km
Owner Review Count
-
28
In depth: how these cars differ
This Polo and Yaris 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: Polo 60 vs Yaris 37.
Efficiency index: Polo 71 vs Yaris 61.
Safety-equipment index: Polo 81 vs Yaris 98.
Practicality index: Polo 55 vs Yaris 53.
Ownership-cover index: Polo not separately scored vs Yaris 43.
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
Polo and Yaris 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
Polo leads by 7 points
Polo and Yaris are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Polo +23
Efficiency
Polo +10
Safety
Yaris +17
Practicality
Polo +2
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Polo
Performance
60/100
Efficiency
71/100
Safety
81/100
Practicality
55/100
Yaris
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
53/100
Ownership
43/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexVolkswagen Polo
leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts
vs 59 pts for Yaris
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Polo leads. However, Yaris 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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