Verdict
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CKD is the sensible used-market buy: it keeps the same 3,970 mm body, 2,470 mm wheelbase and 280-litre boot, while adding a five-year warranty, Bluetooth and automatic climate control. The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CBU earns its premium with a 175 Nm 1.2-litre turbo, 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time and 5.3 L/100 km rating, versus 153 Nm, 11.1 seconds and 6.3 L/100 km for the CKD. Crucially, it also gets stability control and front side airbags. For Malaysian buyers, safety and stronger overtaking performance make the CBU the better-equipped car; the CKD makes far more financial sense.
Pick the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CBU if you want the 175 Nm turbo drivetrain, stability control and front side airbags.
Pick the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CKD if you want to spend RM40,603 less for the same body size, plus a five-year warranty and Bluetooth.
Key differences
- Price: CBU RM115,593; CKD RM74,990.
- Engine and torque: CBU 1,197 cc turbo with 175 Nm; CKD 1,598 cc naturally aspirated with 153 Nm.
- Acceleration and fuel use: CBU 0-100 km/h in 9.7 seconds and 5.3 L/100 km; CKD 11.1 seconds and 6.3 L/100 km.
- Transmission: CBU seven-speed dry DSG; CKD six-speed conventional Tiptronic automatic.
- Safety: CBU has front side airbags and stability control; CKD has driver and front-passenger airbags and no stability control.
- Wheels and warranty: CBU 17-inch alloys and two-year warranty; CKD 15-inch alloys and five-year warranty.
Mk5 CBU
- 175 Nm turbo torque and 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time
- Stability control and front side airbags
- Lower 5.3 L/100 km rating and 17-inch alloys
- RM40,603 more expensive
- Two-year warranty versus five years
- No Bluetooth, automatic climate control or space-saver spare
Mk5 CKD
- RM40,603 cheaper
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Bluetooth, automatic climate control and space-saver spare
- No stability control or front side airbags
- Slower 11.1-second 0-100 km/h time with 153 Nm
- Higher 6.3 L/100 km fuel-use rating
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,593 | RM74,990✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 8-valve SOHC with direct fuel injection and turbocharger | 16-valve DOHC naturally aspirated |
| Capacity | 1,197 cc | 1,598 cc |
| Horsepower | 103 hp | 103 hp |
| Torque | 175 Nm✓ | 153 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 71 mm | 76.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10.3 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Dry) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-Speed DSG | 6-Speed Tiptronic |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 9.7 seconds✓ | 11.1 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 5.3 L/100 km✓ | 6.3 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 190 km/h✓ | 184 km/h |
| Co2 | 124 g/km✓ | 162 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3,970 mm | 3,970 mm |
| Width | 1,682 mm | 1,682 mm |
| Height | 1,462 mm | 1,453 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,470 mm | 2,470 mm |
| Weight | 1,126 kg | 1,020 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 45 litres | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 280 litres | 280 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/40R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/40R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Space Saver |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Spain (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Front Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for rear doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 three-point | 5 three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Halogen Reflector | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Normal Bulb | Normal Bulb |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustment |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Manual air-con | Single-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 front | 1 front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 front, 1 rear | 2 front, 1 rear |
| Audio | RCD 310 radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB and 6 speakers | RCD 330 radio with CD/MP3/WMA playback, AUX-in, USB, Bluetooth and 4 speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Manual key | Manual key |
| Locks | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 sensors | 4 sensors |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Backlit Analogue |
| Parking Brake | — | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited✓ | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 3 years✓ | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM55✓ | RM90 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
Mk5 CBU vs Mk5 CKD FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CBU or Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CKD better?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CBU is better for safety and performance, with stability control, front side airbags, 175 Nm and a 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time. The CKD is the stronger value choice, retaining identical exterior dimensions and boot space for much less money.
What is the price difference?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CBU costs RM115,593 and the Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CKD costs RM74,990, a difference of RM40,603.
Which Polo has the better safety specification?
The Volkswagen Polo Mk5 CBU has the stronger safety kit: it adds front side airbags and stability control, and carries five-star EuroNCAP and ANCAP ratings with six airbags and stability control. The CKD has driver and front-passenger airbags but lacks stability control.