Volkswagen Polo Changed To 5-Star ANCAP Rating After Mid-Life Update

ANCAP has recognised Volkswagen’s decision to introduce additional safety improvements to its current generation Polo by re-qualifying the model with a 2022 five-star safety rating.

The upgraded Polo models, available to Australian customers from May 2022, had a new round of independent testing conducted by Euro NCAP following a mid-life update, achieving five-star scores in all key areas of safety assessment.

“This is a significant achievement,” said ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg.

“The current generation VW Polo already held a strong five-star ANCAP safety rating following testing when it first arrived in the market in 2018. The significance of this revised rating is that it has now earned a revised five-star rating with a 2022 date stamp.

“Volkswagen’s addition of more advanced autonomous emergency braking and lane-keep assistance systems, and a centre airbag, means the Polo now comes with the passive and active safety features and technologies required to earn a five-star safety rating against the most stringent requirements to date. The Polo has cleared this hurdle due to Volkswagen making an active move to further enhance its safety specification.”

Hoorweg described Volkswagen’s decision as “a definite win for the safety of Volkswagen Polo buyers” and other drivers who will encounter Polos on the road, adding that ‘facelifts’ should always be more than just a new range of paint colours, engine line-ups, or interior trim updates.

“[The] inclusion of the latest safety features has tangible benefits for all road users,” Hoorweg said.