Volkswagen Polo Celebrates 50 Years as a Compact Car Icon

In March 1975, the first Volkswagen Polo was introduced as a more economical and modest version of the Audi 50, which had been launched six months earlier. Initially, it became the smallest model of the German brand, measuring just 3.5 meters in length.

For over 40 years, the Volkswagen Polo was manufactured at the Pamplona plant in Spain. However, production ceased in the summer of 2024. The Pamplona plant is being updated to focus on producing two new small electric SUVs starting in 2026.

The Kariega plant in South Africa is now the sole global production site for the Volkswagen Polo, serving all markets, including Europe. This plant also manufactures the Polo GTI.

"Small on the outside. Big on the inside" was the slogan Volkswagen used 50 years ago to promote its latest product at the time. When the compact two-door car hit the market in early May 1975, no one anticipated it would become a national and international bestseller over five decades, spanning six generations, winning several prestigious awards, selling over 20 million units, and pioneering the compact car segment.

When the first Polos hit the dealerships, they were part of a new family of Volkswagen models that took to the streets in the early 1970s. In the spring of 1975, this small angular car followed in the footsteps of the Passat (1973) and the Golf (1974) from the then-young generation of water-cooled models, succeeding the legendary VW Beetle.

Over six generations of models, it is clear that the overall concept, which includes a good price-performance ratio, high functional value, pioneering technology in the small car segment, and, of course, its attractive design, remains popular today and has made the model a sales success. Additionally, the Polo has defined the compact car segment for decades. Recognition from national and international specialist media includes awards such as Car of the Year 2010, World Car of the Year 2010, and World Urban Car 2018.

What began in 1975 as a simple two-door vehicle has been refined and expanded in many facets over five decades: in a total of six generations, as a Polo hatchback, as a coupé, as a sporty G40 or GTI1, as a colorful Harlequin, as a family car, as a notchback under the name Derby, as a CrossPolo with a striking off-road look, as an efficient Polo BlueMotion, and, of course, as an extremely dynamic Polo R WRC, which was crowned with four world titles in the World Rally Championship between 2013 and 2016.

Each generation of the Polo has offered more space and comfort, more efficient engines, and innovative safety features. New features such as front and side airbags, power steering, belt tensioners, and ABS ensured the Polo's success. The next big step came with the modular transverse platform (MQB), which set new standards in terms of connectivity, safety, and driving dynamics, making the model even more digital and innovative.

Today, this small car features assistance and comfort systems that are only available in higher category vehicles. The model remains highly popular worldwide and will stay updated until 2025. A perfect example is the Polo GTI, which can now be driven even more dynamically thanks to the switchable electronic stability control (ESC), high-performance tires, and a new suspension and steering setup.

Mass production of the Polo I began in March 1975 at Volkswagen's headquarters in Wolfsburg, where 1.1 million units were manufactured until 1981. As the model gained importance, production expanded to other plants worldwide, including Spain, Argentina, South Africa, Slovenia, China, Brazil, and India. With over 20 million units produced, the Polo is one of the world's most successful small compact vehicles.

The sixth generation of the Polo, introduced in 2017, was based for the first time on the modular transverse platform (MQB), providing numerous optional features from higher-class vehicles. These included automatic emergency braking (Front Assist) with city emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring, lane change system with blind spot monitor, and adaptive cruise control (ACC). Thanks to the modular concept, the Polo grew 81 millimeters in length and now offered a trunk volume of 351 liters. In 2021, the Polo was completely revamped with a sharper body design and new optional features, such as IQ.LIGHT matrix LED headlights and assistance systems like IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist. The interior was digitized, offering screens with diagonals of up to 25 centimeters, as well as numerous digital functions, such as wireless charging and App-Connect.

The new Polo GTI arrived in the summer of 2021 with a powerful two-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivering 152 kW (207 hp). In 2023, the limited edition special model Polo GTI Edition 252 made its debut with exclusive equipment to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Polo GTI. Volkswagen has produced over 2.5 million units of the Polo VI to date.