√Volkswagen Australia to increase prices for third time in nine months

Seven of Volkswagen Australia’s most popular passenger car and SUV ranges will soon be up to $3600 more expensive – pushing the price of the cheapest Golf hatch to over $40,000 on the road.

Volkswagen Australia will increase prices across seven of its nine passenger car and SUV model ranges from June by between $500 and $3600 – though customers that order before then will be exempt from the price hikes.

In effect from 1 June 2022, prices across most variants in the Golf, Tiguan (both excluding R), Passat, Arteon, T-Cross and Touareg ranges are due to rise by between $500 and $3600, with the largest increases applied to the Touareg luxury SUV.

Prices of the T-Roc small SUV will also rise – however this will be due specifically to the model’s mid-life facelift (which includes an R flagship for the first time). Further details are due within days, Drive understands.

Volkswagen Australia says the price rises “[account] for inflation and increased production costs”, with no new standard features added.

However, a company spokesperson told Drive “we have ‘price protected’ these models for customers purchasing prior to the June 2022 price list,” ensuring the old, lower prices remain for buyers that order before the end of May.

This latest round of Volkswagen price rises represents the third in nine months, following increases of up to $1800 in September 2021 to coincide with the start of Model Year 2022 (and the addition of digital radio), and further rises of up to $3600 around Christmas.

In total, prices have risen by between 3.6 and 8.3 per cent (excluding T-Roc) over the period – equating to increases of $1890 to $7500 – which compares to 4.3 per cent currency inflation over a similar period.

Among the latest price increases, the continued unavailability of the base 110TSI variant means the most affordable Volkswagen Golf hatch has surged well past $40,000 drive-away – similar money to an entry-level Golf GTI hatch a few years ago.

Volkswagen Australia’s website lists the Golf 110TSI Life hatch at approximately $41,500 drive-away, using a metro Sydney postcode, or $36,990 plus on-road costs – up $1700 over early 2022 pricing, and $2740 dearer than it was a year ago.

It’s worth noting the Polo city car and Tiguan Allspace seven-seater will be exempt from the June 1 price rises, given facelifted versions of each are due in showrooms this month – while the Golf R hatch and wagon, and Tiguan R SUV are also not included, having just gone on sale in April.

Readers may also note the ‘standard’ 1.4-litre Golf Wagon range is not available to configure on VW Australia’s website, however Drive understands this is soon to re-appear.

2022 Volkswagen Australia passenger car pricing (from 1 June)

Model	Variant	Old price (Jan 2022)	New price (April)	Increase
Golf	110TSI Life hatch	$35,290	$36,990	$1700
	110TSI R-Line hatch	$38,490	$39,990	$1500
	GTI hatch	$54,490	$54,990	$500
	R hatch	$65,990	$65,990	No change
	R wagon	$65,990	$65,990	No change
Passat	162TSI Elegance wagon	$55,990	$57,690	$1700
	Alltrack 162TSI (base)	$48,990	$50,690	$1700
	Alltrack 162TSI Premium	$60,990	$62,690	$1700
	206TSI R-Line wagon	$65,990	$67,690	$1700
Arteon	140TSI Elegance sedan	$61,740	$63,640	$1900
	140TSI Elegance Shooting Brake	$63,740	$65,640	$1900
	206TSI R-Line sedan	$68,740	$71,240	$2500
	206TSI R-Line Shooting Brake	$70,740	$73,240	$2500
T-Cross	85TSI Life	$29,850	$30,750	$900
	85TSI Style	$32,800	$33,750	$950
Tiguan (five-seat)	110TSI Life	$41,490	$42,690	$1200
	132TSI Life	$45,490	$46,690	$1200
	162TSI Elegance	$52,990	$54,490	$1500
	147TDI Elegance	$54,490	$55,990	$1500
	162TSI R-Line	$55,990	$57,690	$1700
	147TDI R-Line	$57,490	$59,190	$1700
Touareg	170TDI	$84,990	$87,990	$3000
	210TDI Elegance	$103,690	$106,990	$3300
	210TDI R-Line	$112,690	$116,290	$3600