Still, VW will slim-down its European ICE-powered lineup in the coming years.
For a car rumored to be nearing its curtain call, the VW Polo seems to have a surprising second wind. Earlier this year, Volkswagen ended production of the Polo in Europe after an impressive 40-year run, igniting speculation that the supermini might bow out entirely in favor of the brand's expanding EV lineup.
As it turns out, the plucky ICE-powered stalwart is sticking around. A VW executive has confirmed plans for a significant update in 2025, proving that reports of the Polo's demise were, to borrow a phrase, greatly exaggerated.
As one of the oldest surviving nameplates in the supermini category, the Polo has been a fixture in VW's portfolio since its debut in 1975. The current sixth-generation model, launched in 2017 and refreshed in 2021, was thought to be endangered by Europe's looming emission regulations, even as the South American version has kept going strong. It seemed VW might let this chapter quietly close.
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However, Kai Grünitz, Volkswagen Brand Board Member for Technical Development, set the record straight during an interview at the LA Auto Show. He told Autocar that the Polo is slated for an "extensive update" in 2025, timed to coincide with the rollout of stringent Euro 7 emissions standards. Grünitz stopped short of detailing the changes but hinted at broader adoption of mild-hybrid tech across VW's ICE lineup.
2025 Update: Mild Hybrids and More?
Looking ahead, it's likely the updated VW Polo will blend cleaner, mild-hybrid iterations of its existing 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI powertrains with a refreshed design and an interior tech upgrade. This would help justify what are bound to be steeper price tags.
Still, not all Polos will make the cut -- odds are that the GTI variant won't survive the transition. If true, that would mean the curtain falls on Europe's last ICE-powered supermini hot hatch. Its spiritual successor? The all-electric VW ID.2 GTI, scheduled for 2026, which promises sporty styling and enough punch to please performance enthusiasts even without the sounds.
The current Polo shares its MQB A0 underpinnings with a multitude of models from VW Group brands, which are expected to receive similar extensions to their lifecycles. A facelifted Seat Ibiza will arrive by the end of 2025, while Skoda could follow a similar path with the Fabia. The same platform serves as a base for several existing and upcoming small hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs for global markets, including India and South America.
Slimmer ICE-powered Lineup
Grünitz admitted that the new regulations will lead to a "line-up that's slimmer than today" in terms of ICE-powered offerings. The board member didn't reveal which models might face the axe, other than saying that the Polo won't be one of them.
The recently facelifted Golf is safe for several years ahead. The same applies to the new Tiguan, Tayron, and Passat, while the T-Roc will soon get a new generation. The only remaining models are the T-Cross and Nivus small SUV/crossovers which are based on the Polo, and the Touareg flagship SUV. It remains to be seen which one won't make it past 2025.
Grünitz also mentioned that investing in the MQB (ICE, hybrid) and MEB (EV) architectures at the same time represents a "huge effort" for the brand. However, due to the slower-than-expected EV adoption, there is no set timeline for the discontinuation of the former.
Interestingly, the R&D boss suggested that VW is considering integrating EV powertrains in a future development of the MQB architecture, potentially making it more viable. On a final note, the development of the new SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) underpinnings for fully electric models is on track, now with the help of Rivian.