Volkswagen Polo 6N/6N2 – Facelift Friday

The Volkswagen Polo of the 1990s was, in a sense, the blueprint for the Polos that would follow. The first two generations look many times more old-fashioned than this model launched in 1994 and even had rain gutters along the roof. The Polo 6N, as generation three is officially called, is as sober as it is recognizable. He owes the latter to his dead straight back, taken over from the ‘Steilheck’ polo shirts from before.

Although you have to look twice to see it, the simplest Polos still had split bumpers. Only more expensive versions received real shield bumpers, as was the norm at that time with many other brands. Yet we cannot say that the Polo does not look contemporary, because even an early 6N can – if in good condition – still go through with it. The front of such a car seems to peer into the world in a stern, confident way and the rising shoulder line contributes to the stocky appearance.

In 2000 that line was maintained, but everything else changed with the ‘6N2’. The nose was completely replaced, which is far from common with facelifts. Although the styling remained at least as businesslike, new and clear headlamps did bring a significantly fresher appearance. Grille, hood, front fenders and bumpers were also replaced and even the door handles had to be replaced.

Wolfsburg was a little less rigorous at the rear, but the car still looks completely different here. This is mainly because the license plate moved from the valve to the bumper. The freed up space was filled with a large Volkswagen logo, while a third brake light appeared above the rear window. The taillights remained true to their original shape, but received a new layout and all-red glazing.

As if all that wasn’t enough, the interior was also overhauled. What’s called: from behind the wheel you would swear that this is a completely new car. A more playful and somewhat Lupo-esque dashboard replaced the Golf 3 style example.

At least … as long as it is a three- or five-door Polo. The Polo 6N was also available as a sedan and as a station wagon (Variant), but these were hardly changed during the facelift. Why? Well, because these versions of the Polo aren’t actually Polos at all. They are based on the Seat Cordoba, which itself did benefit in 1999 from the extensive facelift that base car Ibiza then received.