Standout hatchback gets a boost
Tim could not get enough of UK Top Gear as a kid and took from his Dad, who worked at Jaguar before moving over to Australia. Tim’s journalism career began at age 15 as a local reporter for Football South Coast before he branched into live commentary with Football New South Wales. He reports on national competitions and the Socceroos with Football Australia, and also covered the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with The Football Sack. He studied a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong, featuring in the top five per cent of students, and graduating with distinction. Tim completed an internship in the ABC’s Wollongong office, then undertook regular paid shifts until he completed his degrees. Tim started his full-time journalism career at CarsGuide, working as a News Journalist covering a range of automotive topics from electric vehicles to legal issues. Education University of Wollongong | Bachelor of Journalism with distinction | 2020-2025 University of Wollongong | Bachelor of Laws | 2020-2025 Featured Publications Football South Coast | 2018-present Football New South Wales | 2019-present South Coast Flame FC | 2021-2022 Football Australia | 2023-present UOW TV | 2021-2025 The Football Sack | 2022-2023 ABC Illawarra | 2023-2025 CarsGuide | 2025-present
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Volkswagen have added to the Polo range with the CityLife offering, an upgrade from the entry-level Life.
The CityLife starts from $32,790, which is $2000 more than the Life.
It is powered by the Polo’s familiar 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque delivered to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.
Shop Volkswagen Polo Cars
Search all carsAt 5.5L/100km, the CityLife is more fuel efficient than the 2.0-litre engine in models that drink at a rate of 6.7L/100km.
The CityLife borrows some of the kit from the more expensive Style grade such as keyless access and 16-inch alloy wheels. It features a proactive occupant protection system and park assist.
Sitting in the middle of the Polo range, the CityLife pitches to buyers looking for something to bridge the gap to more expensive options.
The Polo CityLife will be available in dealerships from November.
2026 Volkswagen Polo prices
| Variant | Price (before on-road costs) |
|---|---|
| Polo Life | $30,790 |
| Polo CityLife | $32,790 |
| Polo Style | $34,790 |
| Polo GTI | $41,790 |
2026 Volkswagen Polo engine and efficiency
The Polo has kept its two engine options with the 1.0-litre and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol units.
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| 1.0-litre turbo-petrol | 2.0-litre turbo-petrol | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol | 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol |
| Power | 85kW | 147kW |
| Torque | 200Nm | 350Nm |
| Transmission | seven-speed dual-clutch auto | six-speed dual-clutch auto |
| Driven wheels | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel use | 5.5L/100km | 6.7L/100km |
| Fuel tank size | 40L | 40L |
| CO2 emissions | 124g/km | 153g/km |
2026 Volkswagen Polo Life comes as standard with
- 8.0-inch multimedia screen
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- Darkened rear tail lights clusters
- Heat insulating tinted glass
- Customisable digital cockpit
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless and USB)
- Automatic dimming rear-view mirror
- Electrically foldable, heated and adjustable exterior mirrors
- Leather steering wheel
- Metallic gloss inlays on dashboard, front centre console and door trims
- Wireless device charger
- Six-speaker stereo
CityLife grade adds
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Keyless access
- Wireless phone charger
Style grade adds
- Carpet front and rear floor mats
- Navigation, audio and telephone connectivity
- Comfort sport front seats
- Comfort sport cloth upholstery
- Interior chrome elements
- Lower air intake with chrome trim
GTI grade adds
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Bush stainless steel finish accelerator and brake pedals
- Red inlays on dashboard, front centre console and door trims
- GTI sports cloth upholstery
- Sports seats with additional side bolstering
- Extended Electronic Differential Lock
- Rear roof spoiler
- Diffuser
2026 Volkswagen Polo safety:
| ANCAP score | |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 96 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 85 per cent |
| Vulnerable roads user protection | 76 per cent |
| Safety assist | 59 per cent |
Standard safety features on Life grade:
- Seven airbags
- Driver attention alert
- Lane keep assist
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear view camera
- Adaptive cruise control
CityLife, Style and GTI add:
- Park assist
- Side assist with rear traffic alert
- Proactive occupant protection system
2026 Volkswagen Polo warranty and servicing
Volkswagen covers its vehicles with a five year/unlimited km warranty.
Volkswagen offer a pay as you go capped price servicing program (see table below) or you can prepay for a three or five-year service packs. Three years costs $1566 or $2870 for five years, which both deliver savings on the pay as you go.
| Intervals | Price |
|---|---|
| 15,000km/12 months | $501 |
| 30,000km/12 months | $755 |
| 45,000km/36 months | $485 |
| 60,000km/48 months | $1151 |
| 75,000/60 months | $485 |
2026 Volkswagen Polo dimensions:
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4080mm |
| Width | 1751mm |
| Height | 1450mm |
| Wheelbase | 2564mm |
| Cargo all seats up to rear package tray | 351-litres |
| Cargo 2nd row seats down, up to ceiling | 1125-litres |
Polo GTI dimensions:
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4080mm |
| Width | 1751mm |
| Height | 1442mm |
| Wheelbase | 2560mm |
| Cargo all seats up to rear package tray | 305-litres |
| Cargo 2nd row seats down, up to ceiling | 1079-litres |
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Tim could not get enough of UK Top Gear as a kid and took from his Dad, who worked at Jaguar before moving over to Australia. Tim’s journalism career began…
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