Unveiled in September 2001, the all-new Mark IV (or Typ 9N, sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Mark 4") model was put on sale in early 2002.
It shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mk3, Škoda Fabia Mk1 and Škoda Fabia Mk2.
The car is all new compared to the Mark III/F, and bears structural resemblance to Golf MK4 (1J).
The rear taillights resemble that of the B5.5 Passat.
Outwardly the most recognisable change is the use of quad round headlights similar to the Lupo's.

Volkswagen Racing rallied a Polo S1600 in the 2003 Junior World Rally Championships, winning the Turkish round.
The Super 1600 developed 165 kW (221 hp)/215 to its front wheels.

This version of the Polo was a mixed success in the United Kingdom.
It sold reasonably well (though not as well as some earlier Polos) but several customer satisfaction surveys by high-profile motoring magazines such as Top Gear gave the Polo a very low rating.

Top Gear's 2005 survey rated the Polo as the third least satisfying supermini to own, with only the Fiat Punto and Rover 25 receiving a worse rating.
It fell behind most of its crucial rivals, namely the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Citroën C3 and Peugeot 206.

A saloon version, called Polo Classic, was produced in Brazil, South Africa and China, and exported to the rest of Latin America and to Australia.

The Polo Classic for the Australian market is sourced from China, making it the first Chinese built car to be exported to a right hand drive country.

The car was available with the following engines:
1.2 L straight-3 6-valve petrol, 55 PS 40 kW (54 hp)
1.2 L straight-3 12-valve petrol, 65 PS 47 kW (63 hp)
1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol, 75 PS 59 kW (79 hp)
1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol Fuel Stratified Injection, 86 PS 62 kW (83 hp) (FSI-badged model)
1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol, 100 PS 74 kW (99 hp) (16V-badged model).

1.4 L straight-3 TDI, 75 PS 55 kW (74 hp).

1.9 L straight-4 SDI, 64 PS 47 kW (63 hp)
1.9 L straight-4 TDI PD, 100 PS 74 kW (99 hp)
1.9 L straight-4 TDI PD, 130 PS 96 kW (129 hp) (GT model only).

1.6 L straight-4, 8-valve petrol, 74 kW (101 PS), cast-iron block, very short manual gearbox (Brazilian / South African market)
2.0 L straight-4, 8-valve petrol, 85 kW (115 PS), cast-iron block, very short manual gearbox (Brazilian / South African market)
Unveiled in September 2001, the all-new Mark IV (or Typ 9N, sometimes erroneously referred to as the "Mark 4") model was put on sale in early 2002. It shares its platform with the SEAT Ibiza Mk3, Škoda Fabia Mk1 and Škoda Fabia Mk2. The car is all new compared to the Mark III/F, and bears structural resemblance to Golf MK4 (1J). The rear taillights resemble that of the B5.5 Passat. Outwardly the most recognisable change is the use of quad round headlights similar to the Lupo's.
Volkswagen Racing rallied a Polo S1600 in the 2003 Junior World Rally Championships, winning the Turkish round. The Super 1600 developed 165 kW (221 hp)/215 to its front wheels.
This version of the Polo was a mixed success in the United Kingdom. It sold reasonably well (though not as well as some earlier Polos) but several customer satisfaction surveys by high-profile motoring magazines such as Top Gear gave the Polo a very low rating.
Top Gear's 2005 survey rated the Polo as the third least satisfying supermini to own, with only the Fiat Punto and Rover 25 receiving a worse rating. It fell behind most of its crucial rivals, namely the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Citroën C3 and Peugeot 206.
A saloon version, called Polo Classic, was produced in Brazil, South Africa and China, and exported to the rest of Latin America and to Australia.
The Polo Classic for the Australian market is sourced from China, making it the first Chinese built car to be exported to a right hand drive country.
The car was available with the following engines:
1.2 L straight-3 6-valve petrol, 55 PS 40 kW (54 hp)
1.2 L straight-3 12-valve petrol, 65 PS 47 kW (63 hp)
1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol, 75 PS 59 kW (79 hp)
1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol Fuel Stratified Injection, 86 PS 62 kW (83 hp) (FSI-badged model)
1.4 L straight-4 16-valve petrol, 100 PS 74 kW (99 hp) (16V-badged model).
1.4 L straight-3 TDI, 75 PS 55 kW (74 hp).
1.9 L straight-4 SDI, 64 PS 47 kW (63 hp)
1.9 L straight-4 TDI PD, 100 PS 74 kW (99 hp)
1.9 L straight-4 TDI PD, 130 PS 96 kW (129 hp) (GT model only).
1.6 L straight-4, 8-valve petrol, 74 kW (101 PS), cast-iron block, very short manual gearbox (Brazilian / South African market)
2.0 L straight-4, 8-valve petrol, 85 kW (115 PS), cast-iron block, very short manual gearbox (Brazilian / South African market)
Volkswagen Polo