2016 Volkswagen Polo — Full Specifications
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The 2016 Volkswagen Polo belongs to the Mk5 generation, built 2009–2016. 2016 was the final year of this generation, so it is the most developed version of the design. The Mk6 replaced it from 2017. Body styles: three-door hatchback, five-door hatchback, four-door saloon, five-door crossover-style hatchback (2WD). The engine range listed for this period includes 1.8 turbo GTI facelift, 1.6 (Vento/Polo Sedan), 1.6 TDI common-rail (Vento/Polo Sedan). Owners often keep a Volkswagen Polo workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Mk5 Generation: Engines & Body Styles
Volkswagen Polo model years from 2009 to 2016 belong to the same generation. The engines below are those listed for this generation in the 2016 period; availability varied by year, trim and market, so confirm the exact engine from the car's paperwork or the badge on the tailgate.
| Engine | Fuel | Displacement | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 turbo GTI facelift | Petrol | 1.8 L | — |
| 1.6 (Vento/Polo Sedan) | Petrol | 1.6 L | 105 PS |
| 1.6 TDI common-rail (Vento/Polo Sedan) | Diesel | 1.6 L | 105 PS |
| Body styles | Three-door hatchback · Five-door hatchback · Four-door saloon · Five-door crossover-style hatchback (2WD) |
|---|---|
| Transmissions | Seven-speed DSG (2010 GTI standard) · Manual (added to GTI in 2015 facelift) · Five-speed manual (Vento/Polo Sedan petrol) · Six-speed automatic (Vento/Polo Sedan petrol) · Five-speed manual only (Vento/Polo Sedan diesel) |
| Generation | Mk5 (Typ 6R) |
Generation, production years, engines and body styles compiled from Wikipedia; production dates can differ by market. Official fuel economy and CO₂ figures for UK cars are published by the Vehicle Certification Agency and vary by engine and test cycle (NEDC or WLTP), so we do not quote a single figure here.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Volkswagen Polo
Running Costs: 2016 Volkswagen Polo
Running costs for a 2016 Volkswagen Polo depend mostly on which engine it has, how it is driven and the insurance group of that trim. Look up the exact car's tax band and fuel figures from its registration on GOV.UK, and work out fuel spend with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
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2016 Volkswagen Polo Safety Rating
Cars sold in the UK and Europe are crash-tested by Euro NCAP, not the US NHTSA, so there is no NHTSA star rating for the Volkswagen Polo. Look the Volkswagen Polo up on Euro NCAP's results page to see the star rating and the test year for this generation; ratings from different years use different criteria and are not directly comparable. To check a specific UK car for open recalls, use the GOV.UK vehicle recalls checker, and see our UK guide to checking a used car's history.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which generation is the 2016 Volkswagen Polo?
The 2016 Volkswagen Polo is part of the Mk5 (Typ 6R) generation, produced 2009–2016.
What engines did the 2016 Volkswagen Polo come with?
Engines listed for this generation include 1.8 turbo GTI facelift (petrol); 1.6 (Vento/Polo Sedan) (petrol); 1.6 TDI common-rail (Vento/Polo Sedan) (diesel). Not every engine was sold in every year or market, so check the car's V5C or handbook for the exact unit.
What body styles does the 2016 Volkswagen Polo come in?
This generation was offered as: Three-door hatchback, Five-door hatchback, Four-door saloon, Five-door crossover-style hatchback (2WD).
What gearbox does the 2016 Volkswagen Polo have?
Transmissions listed for this generation include Seven-speed DSG (2010 GTI standard), Manual (added to GTI in 2015 facelift), Five-speed manual (Vento/Polo Sedan petrol), Six-speed automatic (Vento/Polo Sedan petrol), Five-speed manual only (Vento/Polo Sedan diesel), depending on engine and trim.
How safe is the 2016 Volkswagen Polo?
European-market cars are crash-tested by Euro NCAP rather than NHTSA. Search for the Volkswagen Polo at euroncap.com/en/results to see the star rating and the test year for this generation.