The premium light hatch? 2022 Volkswagen Polo starting price up 30 per cent as facelifted Toyota Yaris and Mazda 2 rival marches upmarket with more features

Volkswagen Australia has taken the sixth-generation Polo further upmarket with the release of pricing and specification details for its midlife facelift, which is due in local showrooms in May.

The pre-facelift Polo’s entry-level Trendline and mid-range Comfortline grades are gone, having been replaced by a new range-opening Life grade, which comes with a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine with 70kW/175Nm and a five-speed manual (70TSI) or 85kW/200Nm with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (85TSI).

The 70TSI Life is priced from $25,250 plus on-road costs, while the 85TSI Life commands a $3000 premium. As such, the Polo’s starting price has risen about 31 per cent, from $19,290, with similar moves having previously been made by the rivalling Toyota Yaris and Mazda2.

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The mid-spec 85TSI Style variant has returned, but it’s now an equally significant $5560 dearer, at $31,250, although buyers are compensated for their extra spend with a longer list of standard equipment.

And it’s a similar story with the flagship GTI version that’s become $5860 more expensive, at $38,750. It’s motivated by a 147kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

According to Volkswagen Australia passenger vehicles brand director Michal Szaniecki, the German brand has “moved the Polo still further from the sticker-driven rat race into its most premium form to date”.

“With this thorough midlife upgrade, Volkswagen’s entry range is positioned to meet customer requirements,” he added. “Just as the Golf 110TSI range is equipped and priced to reflect the fact that it has always done the majority of its business well above the entry point, Polo customers have typically selected heavily optioned variants.”

New standard features include LED lights, digital radio, a digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep and steering assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a front-centre airbag, all of which weren’t included with the Trendline or Comfortline.

The Life also bundles in dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a front-centre armrest and illuminated vanity mirrors, which formed part of the Comfortline.

Otherwise, standard equipment in the Life includes 15-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, cloth upholstery, cruise control and a reversing camera.

The 85TSI Life can be had with a $1700 Vision and Tech Package, which bundles in satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, voice control, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Meanwhile, the 85TSI Style gets most of the same features as the 85TSI Life with the Vision and Tech package plus front foglights, an illuminated front grille strip, adaptive Matrix LED headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear scrolling indicators, dual-zone climate control, front sports seats, ambient lighting, high-beam assist and park assist.

That said, the 85TSI Style doesn’t come with satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, and voice control, as they comprise its optional $1900 Sound and Tech package, alongside keyless entry and start, a 300W Beats sound system with six speakers.

The GTI steps up with sports suspension, metallic paintwork (a $600 option for the other two grades) a body kit, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, satellite navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, voice control, a sports steering wheel with paddle-shifters, Tartan cloth upholstery and an alarm system.

Options-wise, the GTI can up the ante with $300 premium metallic paintwork or the $1500 Sound and Tech Package, which includes a 9.2-inch touchscreen multimedia system and the 300W Beats sound system with six speakers. A panoramic sunroof costs $1500 extra for it and the 85TSI Style.

2022 Volkswagen Polo pricing before on-road costs