2021 Model Year Changes

[POLO Clive]

I don't believe this is a 'facelift' model, to me it just looks like normal ongoing updates and tweaks, I guess time will tell though.

[SRGTD]

I don't believe this is a 'facelift' model, to me it just looks like normal ongoing updates and tweaks, I guess time will tell though.

It’s not a facelift model.

Pretty much every year, VW make small changes to spec to their model ranges; traditionally, this used to be from production build week 22 for the next year’s model, and then sometimes some further ‘tweaks’ from production build week 45. However, with the WLTP debacle and then the impact of Covid-19, these changes don’t seem to always follow the week 22 / week 45 schedule.

The Polo’s mid life facelift has been discussed at various times on the forum and based on an assumed 8 year lifespan for the current Polo, the general consensus seems to be that the facelift will happen sometime next year. The facelift is all about maintaining customer interest and vehicle sales by making relatively low cost production changes. With a facelift, visual changes are usually limited to lights and bumpers, although if the Polo gets the latest VW style headlamps (seen on the mk8 Golf and latest Tiguan), it’d get new front wings to accommodate the headlamp ‘eyebrows’. It might also get a mk8 Golf style dashboard - all physical buttons removed, more prominent touchscreens.

[POLO Clive]

It’s not a facelift model.

Yeah I thought not

[OomStu_ZA]

The only item I like is the new illuminated USB ports. The rest they cam keep.

[Andy Beats]

Is it just me, or is it a bit 'swollen' at the front?
A bit of a trout pout?

[SRGTD]

Is it just me, or is it a bit 'swollen' at the front?
A bit of a trout pout?

I think it must be the camera angle as there haven’t been any external changes to make it look ‘swollen’ - external changes are just the font of the GTI badges and, the central position of the GTI badge on the tailgate and the current style slim lettering on the VW emblems (front grille and tailgate, and wheel centre caps).

[OomStu_ZA]

Our local news is reporting on the new changes here is SA:
https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/sa ... ogo/50099/

Nothing new, just making it official.