Volkswagen Australia Brand Guide
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A guide to Volkswagen cars in Australia

Volkswagen is one of the most identifiable brands in the world, but how many of its cars can you actually name? Volkswagen produces a range of hatches, sedans, SUVs, utes, vans and more, catering for a diverse range of drivers. Whether you’re a rev-head or you just want a car with lots of toys, Volkswagen has you covered. In this article, Canstar Blue takes you through the below list of non-commercial Volkswagen vehicles sold in Australia.

  • Volkswagen Polo
  • Volkswagen Golf
  • Volkswagen Jetta
  • Volkswagen Passat
  • Volkswagen Tiguan
  • Volkswagen Amarok

For information on commercial Volkswagen vehicles or vehicles sold on a limited or special release, visit the Volkswagen website.

Volkswagen Polo

The Polo is a mid-size hatch vehicle that Volkswagen boldly claims has the very best in compact credentials. This sleek car is teeming with the latest in driving technology, including a Rear View Camera, Hill Start Assist and Bluethooth phone connectivity. It also has a 5 star ANCAP safety rating, equipped with multi-collision braking, anti-lock brakes and six air bags.

There are three models of Volkswagen polo: The Trendline,  Comfortline and GTI (pictured below left to right). The Comfortline has a slightly nicer interior and a few extra convenient features, but aside from that, it is very similar to the Trendline model. The GTI is much more noticeable step-up in the Polo range, with an athletic design, sporty interior and a whole host of intelligent features to make driving a breeze.

VW polo range of vehicles

Model

Engine & Transmission

Key Features

Trendline
  • 1.2 Litre BlueMotion Technology
  • 5 speed manual or 7 speed DSG
  •  Rear View Camera
  • Hillstart assist
  • Multi-collision brake
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirror Link connectivity
  • Cruise control
  • Anti-lock brakes
Comfortline
  • 1.2 Litre BlueMotion Technology
  • 6 speed manual or 7 speed DSG
Most Trendline features, plus:

  • Audio, telephone, cruise control and Multi-Function Display controls mounted on steering wheel
  • Anti-theft wheel bolts
  • Leather steering wheel and comfort cloth
GTI
  • 1.8 Litre TSI BlueMotion Technology
  • 6 speed manual or 7 speed DSG
Most Comfortline features, plus:

  • Coming/Leaving home lights
  • Sports seats
  • Front seat drawers
  • Rain sensing wipers
  • Low tyre pressure indicators
  • Climate control air conditioning
  • Auto-dimming rear view mirror

Volkswagen Polo Price

According to the Volkswagen website, prices for the Polo start around $17,000 for the Trendline model. The Comfortline model will set you back a little more – around $20,000. As you might expect, the GTI is the most expensive model in the Polo range, costing anywhere from $31,000 to $35,000, depending on features and location.

Volkswagen Golf

VW golf 1The Golf is one of Volkswagen’s most iconic vehicles, perhaps second only to the VW Beetle. Most vehicles come standard with more features than you’d expect from a vehicle in its price range. Some highlights include blind spot indicators, push-button handbrake, park assist, brake energy recycling technology, and a warning system which monitors your driving pattern to detect fatigue.

There are three lines of Golf vehicle: The standard range, performance range and the Golf Alltrack.

Volkswagen Golf (Standard)VW golf 2

There are 5 models of standard Golf vehicle available as both Hatch and Wagon. These are the Trendline, Comfortline, TSI Highline and TDI Highline. The 5th and most basic model is simply labelled ‘Golf’.

Model

Engine & Transmission

Key Features

Golf
  • 1.4 litre TSI BlueMotion Technology
  • 6 Speed Manual or 7 Speed DSG
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink connectivity
  • Discover Media navigation System
  • Blind spot monitor
  • Stop/start technology
  • Brake energy recycling
  • Park assist
  • Fatigue monitoring
  • Rear View Camera
  • Button handbrake
Trendline
  • 1.4 litre TSI BlueMotion Technology
  • 6 Speed Manual or 7 Speed DSG

Most standard Golf features, plus:

  •  Automatic reversing kerb function
  • Coming/leaving home headlights
  • Low light sensor headlights
  • Automatic dimming rear-view mirror
  • Rain sensing wipers
Comfortline
  • 1.4 litre TSI BlueMotion Technology
  • 6 Speed Manual or 7 Speed DSG

Most Trendline features, plus: 

  • Air quality and humidity sensor
  • Dual Zone air conditioning
  • Rear seat centre armrest with cup holders
  • Comfort front seats
  • Lumbar adjusted front seats
  • Roof console compartment

 

TSI Highline
  • 1.4 litre TSI BlueMotion Technology
  • 7 Speed DSG

Most Comfortline features, plus:

  • Chrome highlights
  • LED ambient lighting
  • Comfort Sport front seats
  • Heated front seats
  • Vienna leather appointed seat upholstery
  • Drawer under driver’s seat
TDI Highline
  • 2.0 litre TDI BlueMotion Technology
  • 6 Speed DSG

Most TSI Highline features, plus:

  • Incorrect fuel filling prevention

Volkswagen Golf performance range

While Golf vehicles are famous for its focus on practicality and drivability, the people at Volkswagen don’t forget those who like a car with a bit of grunt as well. The performance line includes the Golf R and Golf GTI (pictured below left to right).

Volkswagen dubs the Golf R as ‘the fastest golf’, and it’s clear why – With a 2.0L turbocharged engine and 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology, this little hatch can pump out 206kW of power and go 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds. The GTI has the same engine as the Golf R, but slightly less power due in part to it being a front-wheel drive. This makes the GTI a more balanced vehicle and cheaper to run.

VW golf performance vehicles

Model

Engine & Drive

Key Features

Golf R
  • 2.0 litre TSI BlueMotion Technology
  • 4MOTION all-wheel drive
  • 19″ Cadiz alloy wheels
  • Black Vienna Leather Appointed sports seats
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink interfaces
  • Selectable driving profiles: Normal, Race, Eco, Comfort and Individual.
  • Push button handbrake
  • Fatigue monitoring
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Heated Seats
Golf GTI
  • 2.0 litre TSI BlueMotion Technology
  • Front wheel drive
  • 18″ Austin alloys
  • Selectable driving profiles: Normal, Sport, Eco, Comfort and Individual
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink interfaces
  • Fatigue Alert
  • Push button handbrake
  • Adaptive Cruise Control

 Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

The Golf AllTrack is marketed as the ‘Swiss army knife of cars’, combining the Golf’s exceptional city drivability, with the rugged toughness of an SUV. With 17” Allow wheels, raised ground clearance, bi-xenon headlights and 605 litres of luggage space, the Golf Alltrack is a great choice of vehicle for both families and adventurers. Unlike the other Golf Vehicles, there’s only one model of Golf Alltrack. Some of its key features include:VW golf alltrack

  • 8L BlueMotion Technology Engine
  • 4MOTION all-wheel drive
  • Low tyre pressure indicator
  • Underbody protection for off-roading
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink connectivity
  • Stop/Start System that switches car off and turns it back on when stopped, helping save fuel
  • Fatigue driving monitor
  • Rear view camera
  • Electronic stabilisation safety

Volkswagen Golf Price

The price of a brand new Volkswagen Golf ranges from around $23,000 to a little over $60,000. Prices are affected by your location, as well as the design and model of the vehicle.

  • Standard Golf range: $23,000 – $47,000
  • Golf AllTrack: $36,000 – $41,000
  • Golf performance range: $46,000 – $62,000

Volkswagen Jetta

Once again, Volkswagen’s Jetta blends performance and style with comfort and safety. This European-inspired sedan features an assortment of safety, driver assistance and infotainment technology, as well as an ergonomic and spacious cabin. There are four different Jetta models, each with varying levels of safety and technology to choose from. These are the Trendline, Comfortline, Highline and Highline Sport (pictured below left to right).

VW Jetta range

Model

Engine & Transmission

Key Features

Trendline
  • 1.4 litre TSI
  • 6 Speed Manual or 7 Speed DSG
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink connectivity
  • Discover Media navigation System
  • Rear view camera
  • Extended Electronic Differential Lock
  • Fatigue monitoring
  • Electronic Stabilisation Program
  • Heat insulated tinted glass
Comfortline
  • 1.4 litre TSI
  • 6 Speed Manual or 7 Speed DSG

Most Trendline features, plus: 

  • Alarm system with interior monitoring and tilt sensor
  • SAFELOCK deadlock mechanism
  • Dual zone air conditioning
  • Air quality sensor
  • Chrome highlights & wood inserts
  • Comfort front seats
Highline
  • 1.4 litre TSI
  • 6 Speed Manual or 7 Speed DSG

Most Comfortline features, plus:

  •  Fog lights and static cornering lights
  • Keyless entry and start
  • Headlight washer system
  • Comfort sport front seats
  • Electrically adjustable front seats
  • Heated front seats
  • Vienna leather appointed seat upholstery
Highline Sport
  • 2.0 litre TSI
  • 6 Speed DSG

Most Highline  features, plus:

  • Daytime driving lights
  • Bi-xenon headlights
  • Dark tinted rear side window and rear window glass
  • Dual chrome exhaust

 Volkswagen Jetta price

The Volkswagen Jetta can cost anywhere from about $23,000 to $40,000. The Trendline tends to be the cheapest in this line, while the Highline Sport is the most expensive. Models with DSG transmission are also slightly more expensive than standard manual transmission.

Volkswagen Passat

The Passat is Volkswagen’s take on a luxury sedan. It sports a sharp body with a long wheelbase and short overhangs, as well as elegant interior with either black cloth, Vienna leather, Nappa leather or Carbon Nappa leather upholstery.

If you prefer features over style, then the Passat has you covered as well. The Passat comes standard with all the features a person would expect from a sedan of this calibre, including keyless entry and start, three-zone air conditioning, rear view camera plus, navigation touchscreen and fatigue detection. The four models are the Passat (standard), Comfortline, Highline and R-Line (pictured below left to right).

VW Passat range

Model

Engine, Transmission & Drive

Key Features

Passat (standard)
  • 1.8 litre TSI
  • 7 Speed DSG
  • Front wheel drive
  • Keyless entry
  • 3-zone air condition
  • Rear view camera plus
  • Navigation & multimedia touchscreen
  • Fatigue monitoring
  • Stop/start system
  • Driver profile selection
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, MirrorLink centre console access
  • Front & rear reading lights
  • Auto-dimming rear view mirror
  • Rain sense wipers
  • Comfort cloth seat upholstery
Comfortline
  • 1.8 litre TSI
  • 7 Speed DSG
  • Front wheel drive

Most standard Passat features, plus: 

  • Rear traffic alert
  • Lane assist & departure warning
  • Voice operation of navigation system
  • Vienna leather appointed seat upholstery
  • Driver’s massage and memory function
  • Heated front seats
  • Mirror memory
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Fog lights and static cornering lights
Highline
  • 2.0 litre TDI
  • 6 Speed DSG
  • Front wheel drive

Most Comfortline features, plus: 

  • Alarm system with interior monitoring
  • SAFELOCK deadlock mechanism
  • Chrome highlights
  • Premium multi-function display
  • Nappa leather appointed seat upholstery
R-Line
  • 2.0 litre TSI
  • 6 Speed DSG
  • 4MOTION all-wheel drive

Most Highline features, plus:

  •  Heat insulating tinted glass
  • Adaptive Chassis Control
  • Active high-res display
  • Carbon Nappa
  • Progressive steering

 Volkswagen Passat price

Prices for a Volkswagen Passat sedan begin just over the $40,000 for the standard model. Each model is progressively more expensive with the R-Line topping the range at about $64,000.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

The Passat Allatrack is the tough, yet slightly less attractive sibling of the Volkswagen Passat. This wagon takes the best qualities of the Passat range and combines it with the rugged versatility of an SUV. It boasts a 2.0L Turbocharged TDI diesel engine with an impressive fuel economy of 5.4L/100km. It also has a huge 639L luggage space, as well as a Volkswagen’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology along with a whole host of other driveability and safety technologies. There is only one model of Volkswagen Alltrack. Key features include:VW Passat alltrack

  • 2.0 litre TDI BlueMotion technology engine
  • 4MOTION all-wheel drive technology
  • Rear view camera
  • Discover Pro satellite navigation system
  • Stop/start system for improved fuel economy
  • Electronic park brake
  • Fatigue detection
  • Park assist
  • Three-zone climate control air conditioning
  • Drive modes: Eco, normal, sport, individual, offroad
  • Low tyre pressure indicator
  • Adaptive cruise control

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack price

Cars this versatile don’t come cheap. A brand new Passat Alltrack will cost around $50,000.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Impressed by the number of features Volkswagen cram in to its cars? Well you haven’t seen anything yet. The Volkswagen Tiguan pretty much has every piece of smart vehicle technology that you can imagine, including Area View with a 360 degree view of surroundings and Active Info Display to replace traditional instruments behind the wheel. Like most Volkswagen vehicles, it also has a central console with navigation system, rear view camera, driver profile selection and connectivity to Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink. There are three models of Tiguan: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline (pictured below left to right).

But it doesn’t forsake looks and comfort either. This car has a striking exterior design, Vienna leather appointed upholstery, 3-zone air conditioning and plenty of space.

VW Tiguan range

Model

Engine & Transmission

Key Features

Trendline
  • 1.4 litre TSI Active Cylinder Management
  • 6 speed manual
  • Lane Assist
  • Side Assist
  • Sensor Tailgate
  • Brake Recycling technology
  • Park Assist
  • Multi-collision braking
  • Driver Fatigue Detection
  • Area View
  • Active information display
  • Rear view camera
  • Adjustable driver profile
  • Apple Carplay, Android Auto and Mirrorlink connectivity
  • Electronic Stabilisation Program
  • Heat insulating tinted glass
  • Coming/leaving home headlights
  • Low light sensing headlights
  • Cloth upholstery
Comfortline
  • 2.0 litre TSI or TDI
  • 6 speed DSG or 7 speed DSG

Most Trendline features, plus:

  • 4MOTION Active Control all-wheel drive
  • 3-zone air conditioning
  • Driver profile selection
  • Chrome headlight trim
  • Comfort front seats
  • Heated front seats
  • Lumbar adjustment
  • Multi-function display premium
Highline
  • 2.0 litre TSI or TDI
  • 7 speed DSG

Most Comfortline features, plus:

  • Voice controlled navigation
  • Electronic folding mirrors
  • Comfort sport front seats
  • Discover pro audio
  • Daytime driving lights
  • Chrome grill
  • Vienna leather appointed upholstery

Volkswagen Tiguan price

The price of a Volkswagen Tiguan begins around $36,000 for the Trendline model. The most you can expect to pay for a Tiguan is about $55,000 for the TDI version of the Highline model.

Volkswagen Amarok

Solid by name and solid by nature, the Volkswagen Amarok is famous for toughness and a popular choice of work car. The Amarok is a reliable dual-cab workhouse, packing a bi-turbo engine that’s capable of pumping out 132kW of power with a 420Nm torque. If that’s not enough for you, then Amarok also comes in a V6 version which comes with Volkswagens latest generation 3.0L Turbo Direct-Injection engine with 165kW of power and 550Nm torque. The Amarok has a 3 tonne towing capacity and the widest tray in its class at 1222mm according to Volkswagen. The Amarok is also a sturdy off-roader, with Hill Start, Hill Descent, mechanical differential locking, a 28° departure angle, and a selectable ‘off-road’ driving profile.

Perhaps most impressive, the Amarok’s toughness doesn’t come at the cost of comfort or driving enjoyment. It has a rear view camera, centre console touchscreen and navigation system and dual zone air-conditioning in some models.

There are three models of standard Volkswagen Amarok and two models of V6 Amarok.

VW Amarok range

Model

Engine & Transmission

Key Features

Amarok Dual Cab 4×2
  • 4 cylinder bi-turbo diesel
  • 8 speed automatic
  • Electronic Stability Programme
  • Anti-lock Braking System
  • Trailer Sway Stability Control
  • Multi-collision brake
  • Coming/leaving home headlights
  • 6.33” colour touch screen audio display
  • Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink connectivity
  • Audio/phone controls on steering wheel
  • Cruise control
  • Cloth seat upholstery – Austin trim
Amarok Dual Cab 4×4
  • 4 cylinder bi-turbo diesel
  • 6 speed manual

Most Amarok Dual Cab 4×2 features, plus: 

  • Mechanical Differential Lock
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Rear View Camera
  • Alloy wheels (Korama)
Amarok Dual Cab Core Plus 4×4
  • 4 cylinder bi-turbo diesel
  • 8 speed automatic

Most Amarok Dual Cab 4×4 features, plus:

  •  Front fog lamps
  • Lockable glove compartment
  • Cloth seat upholstery – Kemisu trim
  • Chrome grill
  • Front and rear parking sensor
  • Lockable tailgate with comfort closing
  • Dusk sensing headlights
  • Rain sensing wipers
Amarok V6 Highline
  • 3.0 litre V6 TDI BlueMotion Technology
  • 8 Speed Automatic

Most Amarok Dual Cab 4×4 Core Plus features, plus: 

  • Bi-xenon headlights
  • Dark tinted rear and side windows
  • Stainless steel sidesteps and styling bar
  • Dual zone air conditioning
  • Alloy wheels (Manaus)
  • Discover Media audio and satellite navigation system 6.33
  • Cloth seat upholstery – Salipra trim
Amarok V6 Ultimate
  • 3.0 litre V6 TDI BlueMotion Technology
  • 8 Speed Automatic

Most Amarok V6 Highline features, plus: 

  • Heated front seats
  • Leather appointed seat upholstery – Nappa
  • Steering wheel mounted gearshift paddles
  • Multi-Function Display (MFD Premium) colour display
  • Alloy wheels (Milford or Talca)
  • Illuminated stainless steel sidesteps

Volkswagen Amarok price

A Volkswagen Amarok can cost anywhere from about $42,000 to $75,000. The standard 4×2 dual cab is generally the cheapest of the Amarok range, with the 4×4 and Core Plus models coming in slightly more expensive. The V6 models will set you back the most. The V6 Highline starts around $65,000, while the Ultimate costs considerably more at about $72,000 to $75,000.

Volkswagen warranty

All brand-new Volkswagen vehicles come with a 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty, as well as 3 years of free roadside assistance. Volkswagen also insists that its vehicles only need servicing once every 12 months rather than biannually, possibly saving you a lot of money in the long term.

About the author of this page

Dean Heckscher Canstar Blue

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.

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