2022 Volkswagen Polo receives reissued five-star ANCAP safety rating

The 2022 Volkswagen Polo has been handed a five-star safety rating, with an ANCAP retest of the updated model giving it full marks thanks to its new safety equipment.

Last tested at launch in 2018, Volkswagen has since made numerous safety upgrades to the Polo, from the inclusion of a centre airbag to its front assist system now including cyclist monitoring.

While the model could remain on sale with its previous five-star rating, the decision to retest the Polo will now see all new examples sold with a rating which reflects ANCAP's current safety assessment criteria.

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ANCAP CEO Carla Hoorweg praised Volkswagen's decision to provide safety upgrades with the 2022 Polo update, encouraging other manufacturers to do the same.

"This is a significant achievement," said Hoorweg.

"The current generation Volkswagen 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 datestamp.

"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. This is a very welcome move, and one which ANCAP encourages all manufacturers to consider."

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"This is a definite win for the safety of Volkswagen Polo buyers and the other road users these vehicles will mix with."

"Facelifts should always be more than just a new range of paint colours, engine line-ups or interior trim updates. Inclusion of the latest safety features has tangible benefits for all road users."

The reissued five-star rating makes the Polo the second vehicle to receive such an accolade, after Toyota initially scored a five-star score for its HiLux in 2015 before backing it up again after an update in 2019.