Volkswagen Golf base model to be axed, entry price to rise
The base-model Volkswagen Golf will be deleted from the line-up later this year – and it will open with a better-equipped model that costs $13,600 more than the cheapest version five years ago.
The price of the cheapest Volkswagen Golf hatchback will have climbed by nearly $14,000 in five years when the base model is cut from the line-up by the end of this year.
Volkswagen Australia has announced the base Golf 110TSI will be deleted from the Model Year 2024 (MY24) line-up due to low demand – and the Golf range will now open with the better-equipped Life.
Prices for the 2024 Golf Life are yet to be confirmed, however the 2023 version is priced from $38,590 plus on-road costs, $2300 more than the base model.
The base Golf has been available to order exclusively with an automatic transmission since late 2021, after the manual transmission too was axed due to low demand.
The deletion of the base model means the cheapest VW Golf on sale today is nearly $14,000 more expensive than the cheapest model five years ago, a previous-generation Golf 110TSI Trendline manual for $24,990 plus on-road costs (or $27,490 with an auto).
When the current-generation Volkswagen Golf arrived in Australia in mid 2021 – with a closer level of equipment to the 2023 model – it was priced from $29,350 plus on-roads for a base-model manual.
With an automatic transmission, the same car cost $31,950 plus on-road costs – $4340 less than the base Golf auto today, or $6640 less than the 2023 Golf Life automatic.
Volkswagen Australia says the base Golf 110TSI has accounted for less than five per cent of sales.
Alongside the base hatch, Volkswagen has previously confirmed the Golf wagon will be axed once all existing orders are fulfilled early next year.
The decisions form part of broader Model Year 2024 specification changes across the Volkswagen passenger-vehicle line-up, though prices are yet to be announced.
“The overwhelming majority of Golf customers select the Life, R-Line, GTI or – when available – R model grades,” a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson said in a media statement.
MORE: Volkswagen Golf R wagon dead, Golf R hatch orders to resume within months
MORE: Volkswagen Australia streamlines line-up, six models axed
“Reflecting these customer preferences, this now means each model line in the Volkswagen passenger vehicle range will commence with the well-equipped Life model grade or higher.
“There remains strong MY23 stock in Volkswagen dealerships, and this will continue through 2023.”
VW is offering national drive-away offers of $40,990 for the Golf Life hatch, $42,990 for the Golf Life wagon, $44,490 for the Golf R-Line hatch, and $55,490 for the Golf GTI hatch until September 30. The deals are applicable to MY23 stock only.
The post Volkswagen Golf base model to be axed, entry price to rise appeared first on Drive.