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Volkswagen Australia is set for one of its busiest years ever in 2024, with all-new EVs, updated versions of its most popular vehicles, and new people movers, too.
The ID. electric vehicle range is the most critical inclusion for the VW brand, with four different EVs coming in 2024.
So, what’s coming, what’s changing, and when should you expect each of the new model launches? Here’s your rundown for 2024 and beyond for VW Australia.
UPDATE, 30/11/2023: This story, originally published on 21 September, has been updated with fresh information.
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JUMP AHEAD
- ID.2
- ID.3
- ID.4 and ID.4 GTX
- ID.5 and ID.5 GTX
- ID.Buzz
- Golf
- Tayron (Tiguan Allspace)
- Touareg
- Tiguan
- T-Cross
- T7 Multivan
- T7 California
- Crafter van
Volkswagen ID.2
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A twin to the Cupra Raval, the Volkswagen ID.2 will bring German-engineered electric motoring to the masses, with a $40K target price.
The small hatch will offer up to 450km WLTP driving range from either LFP or NMC lithium-ion battery packs and will use the new MEB Small platform.
Volkswagen has teased the new affordable EV in both ID.2all conventional hatch concept and sporty ID.GTI guise with an expected on-sale date of 2025.
At just over four metres long, the ID.2 will be roughly Polo-sized and may be joined by a T-Cross-esque small crossover previewed by the ID.Life concept.
As there are few official details, the front-drive small hatch isn't confirmed for the Australian market. However, Volkswagen Australia executives indicated they're keen for it to arrive eventually.
Volkswagen ID.3
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The first take on the VW ID.3 didn’t make it to Australia, but the updated version is confirmed for an early 2025 debut.
The revised model – which is closely related to the Cupra Born – sees big improvements to the materials and media system, which were broadly panned for the first ID.3 models.
The little electric hatchback is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 150kW and 310Nm. Australian models are likely to be fitted with the biggest battery available; a 77kWh unit with more than 500 kilometres of driving range available.
The big question is whether VW will position this below, above, or on par with the sharper Cupra Born, which is a $59,990 before on-road costs proposition.
Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.4 GTX
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Think of an electric alternative to the VW Tiguan and you’re on the money when it comes to the VW ID.4, which is due to arrive in July 2024.
This family-friendly five-seat electric SUV will be offered in single-motor 'Pro' rear-wheel drive guise producing 210kW and 545Nm, with the sportier GTX model ramping things up to 250kW thanks to all-wheel drive. It also gets quicker DC charging at 175kW.
At just under 4.6 metres long, the ID.4 is bang on the class standard for a midsize SUV, and VW’s approach here is to offer this fully electric model with up to 550km WLTP driving range.
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The ID.4 will arrive in Oz in updated guise in July
It offers 543 litres of cargo capacity, and Australian examples will arrive with the updated 12.9-inch touchscreen, three-zone climate control, LED lighting, and large alloy wheels.
It’ll compete against the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y and even some VW Group counterparts such as the Skoda Enyaq and Cupra Tavascan.
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Along with more powerful motors, the ID.4 benefits from usability improvements, too
Volkswagen ID.5 and ID.5 GTX
This is the sporty take on a VW midsize SUV also due in July 2024, with the ID.5 models getting a coupe-style swooping roofline. Comment and let us know if you prefer the wagon-style ID.4 or the coupe-roof ID.5!
Like the ID.4, VW Australia will offer a single-motor rear-wheel drive version with 210kW/545Nm alongside a sportier GTX model with all-wheel drive and 250kW.
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With its sloping roofline the ID.5 looks more sedan than coupe to us
Driving range exceeds 500km for both versions of the ID.5
Mirroring the ID.4, the ID.5 picks up the 12.9-inch touchscreen and redesigned gear selector stalk inside the cabin.
Buyers of the GTX grades – the electric answer to GTI – will likely score sports seats with electric adjustment, heating up front and a heated steering wheel. Adaptive suspension is standard on all trims.
Driving range exceeds 500km for both versions of the ID.5 with the rear-drive Pro rating at 556km from a charge, and it is likely that there’ll be a pretty sizable price jump from the RWD base model to the GTX top-spec AWD – probably in excess of $12,000.
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Volkswagen ID.Buzz
The most interesting electric car to hit Australian roads? It could be, and it’s going to be a really interesting model range for the ID.Buzz, too.
Due in Australia in the last few months of 2024, the full EV van with retro Kombi vibes will arrive in five-seat short-wheelbase and seven-seat long-wheelbase guises at the same time.
The ID.Buzz is expected to be offered from launch with a single-motor rear-wheel drive setup, with a 77kWh battery pack and more than 420km of WLTP-rated EV driving range.
However, in the LWB model sold in the US, there’s an 86kWh battery with similar range, but more power and torque. Specs are yet to be confirmed for Australia.
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The work van version sees different interior trim finishes and window-less panels on the back.
The specifics are still to be confirmed for Australia, but buyers can expect items such as electric dual sliding doors and an electric tailgate, a 12.0-inch touchscreen media system with over-the-air update capability, digitial instrumentation for the driver, and a vast array of standard safety kit.
As well as the passenger range of the ID.Buzz electric vans, there will be a Cargo model offered only in short-wheelbase spec. The work van version sees different interior trim finishes and window-less panels on the back.
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Volkswagen Golf
Fifty years on from the nameplate's launch Volkswagen will release the Mark 8.5 Golf.
Spy pictures suggest it will look very similar to the existing Mk8, with new bumpers and alloy wheels the only obvious changes. This will also be the last ever combustion-engined Golf, according to CEO Thomas Schäfer.
Underneath the Mk8.5's MQB Evo platform is treated to similar revisions as the Tiguan, meaning stiffer mounting points and improved rigidity.
Inside is a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen with illuminated HVAC sliders (as seen in the ID.4). Powertrains remain familiar, though VW is pushing mild-hybrid improvements.
Plug-in hybrid Golfs are likely to get the 1.5-litre EA211 Evo motor (replacing the old 1.4) and bigger batteries for electric-only range in the vicinity of 100km. The Mark 8.5, as it's expected to be known, will launch in the second half of next year in Europe ahead of a likely 2025 Australian release.
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The R 20 Years is the final run-out Golf Mk8 special
Volkswagen Tayron
The Tayron will replace the Tiguan Allspace in Australia, though there are precious few spy pictures around to predict what the seven-seat SUV might look like.
The Tayron badge already exists as a China-only mid-size SUV with an identical wheelbase to the Allspace; expect the vehicles to merge into a global second-generation model.
We expect the Tayron will arrive later in 2025, following the Tiguan, with styling close to the smaller model. It will also be heavily related to the new-gen Skoda Kodiaq, similar to the close relation between the latest VW Passat and Skoda Superb.
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This is the current China-market Tayron – a new look is coming in 2025
Volkswagen Touareg
The brand’s largest SUV on sale in Australia will be updated with a new look and revised interior in March 2024.
The new-look Touareg scores a different headlight design and front-end treatment with a horizontal light bar across the grille, while the rear end has a new tail-light design and lightbar, too, while sportier looking front and rear bumpers and new wheel designs complete the exterior look.
There are some changes inside the cabin too, with tweaks to the media screen and trim finishes, though it is largely similar to the existing version.
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The large SUV range will be headlined by Volkswagen's most powerful production car ever, the 340kW Touareg R plug-in hybrid.
The flagship will hit dealers at $129,900 before on-road costs and a clever night vision system. Below the R will be various diesel V6 mills connected to all four wheels, with pricing and specs yet to be announced.
MORELarge SUVs
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Volkswagen Tiguan
The third-generation VW Tiguan mid-size SUV will arrive early in 2025, with the new model offering a bigger cabin, more boot space, and a thorough dashboard redesign.
It gets more rounded-edge sheet metal, and while a plug-in hybrid powertrain is going to be offered in Europe and other markets, Australia will only score a couple of traditional turbo-petrol engines for the new-look Tiguan.
Exact powertrain outputs and details are still a long way from confirmed for Australia, but the brand’s local arm has indicated that it will look to have a replacement for the 162TSI petrol all-wheel drive models, which have proven to be the most in-demand among customers.
It isn’t clear yet if there will be a new-gen high-performance Tiguan R model, but it is unlikely based on the company’s huge investment into EVs.
You also won’t see a new-gen Tiguan Allspace, with that seven-seater to be scratched when the current-gen model finishes up its run. It will, instead, be replaced by a model known as the Tayron in Australia.
MOREMidsize SUVs
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Volkswagen T-Cross
The smallest and most affordable VW SUV is getting updated and facelifted, with the new-look T-Cross to arrive in the last few months of 2024.
Already unveiled and detailed, the Polo-based high-rider is set to continue on with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 85kW and 200Nm, with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto transmission and front-wheel drive.
The facelifted light SUV will also be offered with a dedicated R-Line trim in Australia for the first time.
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It’s still unlikely that Australia will get the punchier 1.5-litre turbo (110kW/250Nm), as seen in T-Roc and Golf.
Inside, there have been a few important changes, including some of the less premium materials being swapped out for higher-quality soft-touch finishes.
Technology gets a significant boost with a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an 8-inch digital driver's display for base variants where analogue gauges sat before.
Full detailed specifications and pricing are a while away yet, but you can expect that the new model will retain its spot as the cheapest SUV in the brand’s range (currently from $30,990 plus on-road costs).
MORESmall SUVs
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Volkswagen T7 Multivan
Alongside the ID.Buzz, Volkswagen will also offer a new-generation version of the Multivan people-mover.
Unlike models in years gone by which were based on the Transporter commercial vehicle platform, the new-gen T7 Multivan is a passenger-car-based three-row van running on the MQB Evo platform shared with the Golf 8.
The Kia Carnival and Hyundai Staria rival will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a 110kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel driving the front wheels initially.
Volkswagen will offer additional powertrain choices in 2025, perhaps with more power and all-wheel drive. A plug-in hybrid is available overseas but doesn't sound likely in Australia.
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The new model will come in Life (replacing Comfortline) and Style (replacing Highline) with pricing yet to be confirmed.
Volkswagen has focused on ease of use, making each individual seat – that's now heated – 25 per cent lighter so anyone can lift and move them on the rail system, which now has increased flexibility.
The multi-function table remains, the front seats are 18-way adjustable and there's a free-floating dash with a 10-inch display sitting atop. Safety is improved, too, with more driver-assistance features and the addition of curtain and centre airbags.
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Volkswagen T7 California
A pop-top camper version of the Multivan, the VW T7 California, is coming to Australia in 2025.
The new-gen model gets all the camping inclusions for those who want a ready-made road-tripper for their #vanlyf Insta posts, but what’s cool about this new-gen model is that there was significant Australian input because of our specific Australian Design Rules (ADRs).
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2022 Volkswagen California
As such, the new model goes one better than any California gone before, with an integrated kitchen set-up available.
Previously only the five-seat camper was available in Australia, though now the four-seat variant with an in-built kitchen will be offered thanks to the twin sliding doors.
It’ll also feature built-in rocker-roller seating that can be flattened out to make a bed in the cargo zone – to sleep four in total – as well as under-seat storage options, additional lighting, two awnings, and much more.
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