Latin NCAP has stated that the 2018 Volkswagen Polo earned a five-star rating in its crash safety tests.

The sixth-generation Polo, which is available with four airbags, ABS, EBD and ESC in Latin American markets, scored five stars for adult occupancy in both front impact tests (at 64kph) and lateral impact tests (at 50kph).  The report also commended the hatchback’s body shell during side and front impacts, calling it stable and lauded the performance of the model’s ESC system.

The sixth-gen Polo was showcased at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show and is based on VW’s new modular MQB A0 platform. It is larger than its predecessor and borrows design cues from the larger Golf hatchback.

The Polo that was tested is a model specifically for South American markets and features subtle design tweaks from the European model, particularly in the front.

In Brazil, the small hatchback is available with a range of engines including an 84hp, 1.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol, a 117hp, 1.6-litre normally aspirated petrol and a range-topping 128hp, 1.0-litre turbo-petrol motor. The first two engines are mated to a five-speed manual while the turbo-petrol mill gets a six-speed automatic transmission.

It is unlikely that VW will bring this Polo to India as the cost of the MQB platform makes it unfeasible. VW’s sister brand Skoda is currently developing a low-cost ‘Eco’ platform based on the MQB, which will be shared by both brands. This development was announced after the alliance between Tata, Skoda and VW to jointly develop a low-cost platform using the Indian automaker's upcoming Advanced Modular Platform (AMP) was called off.