Volkswagen India launches Polo, Vento facelifts, priced from Rs 582,000

Since the time of their introduction in the Indian market, the Volkswagen Polo and Vento have soldiered on for years largely unchanged, barring a few minor updates. Today, Volkswagen has rolled out yet another round of facelifts for the Polo and Vento, which aim to add some freshness into the ageing models as we close in on 2020. While the Volkswagen Polo facelift is priced from Rs 582,000 to 988,000, the Volkswagen Vento facelift is priced from Rs 876,000.

As part of the update, the Volkswagen Polo and Vento both now get a honeycomb-mesh grille, front bumper and tail-lights. This is reminiscent of the Volkswagen Polo GTI hot-hatch, and adds a dash of sportiness to the appearance of both cars. Higher-spec variants of the new Polo and Vento also get gunmetal-finish alloy wheels in a new design.

Volkswagen has also equipped the new Polo and Vento with its Volkswagen Connect (connectivity suite) as standard on Highline trim and higher. Volkswagen Connect is a dongle based feature and it can be transferred across different Volkswagen cars. The connectivity suite allows trip tracking, driver behaviour and statistic tracking, location sharing and fuel cost monitoring to name a few features.

All variants of the Polo and Vento now also get a seat-belt reminder system, rear parking sensors and a speed alert system. Dual airbags and ABS have been standard across the Polo and Vento range, and that remains unchanged with the facelifts.

On the engine front, the Polo continues with the 76hp, 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol and the 90hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine options. The Polo GT variants also continue to have the BS IV-compliant 105hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and the 110hp, 1.5-litre diesel engine on offer, both of which will be phased out by the time BS VI emission norms come into effect on April 1, 2020. Also carrying over engine options is the Vento facelift, which continues with the same 105hp, 1.6-litre petrol, the 105hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol and the 110hp, 1.5-litre diesel engines.

The German carmaker has also introduced a new 5-year standard warranty for the diesel variants of the Polo, Ameo and Vento. Volkswagen claim this will result in a 30 percent reduction in the cost of ownership for these cars.

In India, the Polo facelift rivals the like of the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Ford Figo. The Vento facelift will take on the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and Hyundai Verna.