Volkswagen Polo Turns 50: Celebrating Half a Century of VW's Premium Supermini
The Volkswagen Polo, launched in March 1975, has evolved through six generations to become synonymous with premium quality in a compact package. Named after polar winds, this small car has maintained its reputation for sophistication and reliability for five decades.
Polo Mk1 (1975-1981) Originally a rebadged Audi 50, the first Polo offered basic transportation with four-cylinder petrol engines up to 60hp. Available as a three-door hatch or two-door Derby saloon, over 500,000 units were produced worldwide.
Teal classic VW Polo hatchback
Polo Mk2 (1981-1994) The second generation introduced the popular 'Breadvan' body style and maintained VW's reputation for quality during the competitive 1980s supermini boom.
Gold VW Beetle classic car
Polo Mk3 (1994-2001) This generation marked a significant modernization with the introduction of five doors and upmarket features like xenon headlights and sat-nav. The quirky Harlequin edition with multi-colored panels became a cult classic.
VW Polo Harlequin in multicolored panels
Polo Mk4 (2002-2010) Further upmarket movement brought soft-touch plastics, blue interior lighting, and standard safety features including ABS and airbags. The range included GTI and Dune variants.
Yellow VW Polo Dune in sunlight
Polo Mk5 (2009-2017) Winner of European and World Car of the Year awards, this generation offered mature styling and refined driving dynamics. It continues production in South Africa.
VW Polo hatchback
Polo Mk6 (2017-present) The current generation features digital dashboards, LED lighting, and semi-autonomous capabilities. While a 2025 update is planned, the Polo's European future remains uncertain as VW transitions to electric vehicles, with production moving to South Africa from 2026.
