2022 Volkswagen Polo Details: New-faced Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift revealed with even more tech

The new Volkswagen Polo is expected to hit local showrooms early next year.

Volkswagen has unveiled its updated Polo light hatchback due to hit Australian showrooms in early April 2022 to compete against the Mazda2, Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift.

Featuring a new front end that brings it closer in style to the eighth-generation Golf, the 2022 Polo now features a light bar on the front grille that integrates daytime running lights integrated into the headlights.

Speaking of which, the headlights are now standard LED, as are the taillights, and the front and rear bumpers have been redesigned to keep the styling fresh.

Inside, the new Polo features a 6.5-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto functionality, with a 9.2-inch variant also available in higher grades.

The update also adds a new steering wheel, instrument cluster and digital instrument cluster, though it's not yet clear what trim level some of these features are available in.

Powertrain options are expected to remain the same, including a 1.0-liter turbo-petrol three-cylinder engine in Australia.

Two versions are available: 70kW/175Nm for the 70TSI Trendline and 85kW/200Nm for the 85TSI Comfortline and Style.

Pricing is also expected to remain close to the current range, which starts at $19,290 pre-road for the base Polo 70 Trendline six-speed manual transmission, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available across the range.

Leading the Polo lineup is the fast GTI variant, though its facelifted version, due to hit the Down Under around May next year, has yet to be revealed.

The Polo GTI is powered by a 2.0kW/147Nm 320-liter turbo-petrol engine, and its $32,890 price and performance puts it on par with the Ford Fiesta ST.

The Volkswagen Polo remains one of the few competitors left in the passenger car segment in Australia as manufacturers switch to the market's appetite for SUVs and crossovers.

In recent years, the Ford Fiesta (sans the flagship ST), Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius C, Renault Clio, and Hyundai Accent have been discontinued.

The current MG3 leads the segment with 3410 new registrations in 2021, followed by Toyota Yaris (1614), Suzuki Swift (1470), VW Polo (1352), Kia Rio (1229) and Suzuki Baleno (1215).