Toyota Yaris vs Volkswagen Polo
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 4 Oct 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$28,990RRP
- no option data for this car
$30,790RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Toyota Yaris & Volkswagen Polo
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Price Breakdown
The Toyota Yaris starts from $28,990 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Polo opens at $30,790. That makes the Toyota Yaris the more affordable entry point by $1,800.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $31,889 and $33,869 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Toyota Yaris by roughly $2,705 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the Toyota Yaris and 94% for the Volkswagen Polo.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 5 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Toyota Yaris, against 3 on the Volkswagen Polo.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Toyota Yaris and 6 in the Volkswagen Polo.
Recalls on our record
Toyota Yaris
- REC-005888 · published 8 Feb 2024Due to a durability issue, the front lower suspension arm may develop cracks and corrode when exposed to road snow melting agents.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- REC-005716 · published 27 Jun 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, small cracks may form in the front lower suspension arms when driving on rough (corrugated) roads.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- REC-005542 · published 17 Oct 2022Due to a software error, during sudden acceleration the Hybrid System may fail to engage the limp mode safety feature of the vehicle.Year range on the notice: 2020
- 5 more on the model page.
Volkswagen Polo
- REC-006631 · published 18 Jun 2026Due to a software issue, the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail to illuminate the visual vehicle speed, fuel level and other critical safety information.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-006370 · published 26 Jun 2025Due to a manufacturing issue, the front passenger airbag may be fitted with a faulty gas generator.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2025
- REC-005623 · published 21 Feb 2023Due to a software fault, the visual and acoustic seat belt warning system may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021
- 13 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Toyota Yaris features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Polo gets a 8-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Toyota Yaris stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Polo. The Volkswagen Polo counters with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Yaris uses a Petrol producing 85kW and 120Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.2 seconds.
The Volkswagen Polo responds with a Petrol making 85kW and 200Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.4 seconds.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota Yaris is 0.2s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Yaris measures 3,950mm long on a 2,550mm wheelbase, 130mm shorter than the Volkswagen Polo at 4,080mm (2,564mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Polo generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 270L in the Toyota Yaris and 351L in the Volkswagen Polo, giving the Volkswagen Polo a 81L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.2m to 10.6m
Based on 10.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $998/year for the Toyota Yaris and $1,539/year for the Volkswagen Polo. That is a $541 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Yaris.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Yaris) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Polo). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Yaris if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Polo if: You need more boot space, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Toyota Yaris: Top CarSorted Score, 79 vs 76
The Toyota Yaris comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (79 vs 76), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Toyota Yaris ahead by 13), reliability (Toyota Yaris ahead by 10), practicality (Volkswagen Polo ahead by 7). The Toyota Yaris will save you roughly $541 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Polo has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo?
The Toyota Yaris is the cheapest at $28,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Polo by $1,800.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Yaris uses the least fuel at 3.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Polo has the largest boot at 351L with the seats up.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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