2021 Volkswagen Polo dimensions & size guide

At 4074 mm long, 1751 mm wide and 1451 mm tall, the 2021 Volkswagen Polo sits comfortably within the supermini class but feels more substantial than many of its rivals. Its 2552 mm wheelbase provides plenty of interior space, while the 10.6-metre turning circle makes it nimble and easy to park in tight city streets. The overall proportions are spot-on, it’s compact enough for urban life, yet stable and confident at motorway speeds. For a size comparison, our 2021 VW Polo vs. 2020 Dacia Sandero dimensions guide shows the external scale of these popular hatchbacks, showing how the Sandero's width compares to the benchmark Polo.

The design follows Volkswagen’s familiar recipe: clean, well-judged lines and a focus on proportion rather than excess. The 2021 facelift brought slimmer LED headlights, a refreshed grille and a more distinctive light signature across the tailgate, giving it a touch more personality without losing its understated charm. In person, the Polo looks smart and confident, it’s a car that feels like it belongs in any environment, whether that’s a city centre or a suburban driveway.

Inside, the Volkswagen Polo (2021) is where the step up from older generations really shows. The driving position feels more like a Golf’s, supportive, slightly raised and with excellent visibility. The dashboard layout is clean and driver-focused, featuring Volkswagen’s latest touchscreen system and digital dials on most trims. Everything operates with a reassuring precision, from the tactile switchgear to the smooth motion of the controls. The overall impression is that this is a car built with care and attention to detail.

Despite its small footprint, the Polo offers impressive practicality. With 351 litres of boot space with the seats up, it’s one of the roomiest cars in its class, easily handling daily errands or a weekend’s luggage. The rear seats fold to expand space for larger items, and the flat boot lip makes loading simple. There’s ample storage inside too, with door bins, cubbies and well-placed cupholders. For small families or solo drivers who need a single car for everything, the Volkswagen Polo (2021) covers a lot of bases.

Out on the road, it feels refined and reassuring. The steering is light but precise, and the suspension manages to combine comfort with composure. Around town, the Polo feels easy-going and nimble, while on the motorway it settles into a stable, quiet rhythm that feels far more mature than you’d expect. Driving both the Polo and the larger Volkswagen Golf (2024) makes it clear how closely related they are in feel, the Polo just delivers that same sense of quality in a smaller, lighter package.

Engines focus on efficiency and everyday performance, with smooth petrol options that suit city driving perfectly. The balance between performance and economy feels well judged, making the Volkswagen Polo (2021) an easy car to live with day in, day out.

The Polo may sit below the Golf and ID.3 in Volkswagen’s range, but it’s every bit as considered. It takes the same design philosophy of precision, quality and restraint and translates it into a smaller form.