Volkswagen VARIANT

59 registered in New Zealand · 1963–2015 · 61% from Not Known

The Volkswagen VARIANT is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 59 registered across model years 1963 to 2015. It averages 7.1 L/100km in fuel consumption . Most are petrol-powered station wagons with a 1.6L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the VARIANT.

Select Year

59 On NZ Roads
1.6L Engine
7.1 L/100km

Fuel Types

Volkswagen VARIANT fuel type breakdown: PETROL 100%.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Volkswagen VARIANT engine sizes: 1.6L 41%, 1.6L 19%, 1.5L 5%, 2.0L 5%, 1.4L 3%.

Imported From

Volkswagen VARIANT imported from: Not Known 61%, Germany 36%, Australia 2%, United Kingdom 2%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Volkswagen VARIANT vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Volkswagen VARIANT NZ arrival timeline: 2017: 1, 2019: 4, 2020: 2, 2022: 1, 2025: 1.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Volkswagen VARIANT.

per week
per year
per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price
Fuel economy
Fuel type
Prices updated

Colours

BLUE 18 (31%)
RED 10 (17%)
WHITE 9 (15%)
BLACK 5 (8%)
GREEN 5 (8%)
BROWN 5 (8%)
YELLOW 2 (3%)
CREAM 2 (3%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Volkswagen VARIANT regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 14, CHRISTCHURCH: 9, TAURANGA: 4, WAIMAKARIRI: 4, WAITAKI: 3.

Body Types

Similar Cars

1 Toyota logo
Toyota Rav4 107,093
1994–2026 6.4 L/100km
2 Mitsubishi logo
Mitsubishi Outlander 78,580
2003–2026 6.9 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Landcruiser 50,466
1965–2026 10.8 L/100km
4 Mazda logo
Mazda Cx 5 49,037
2007–2026 6.7 L/100km
5 Nissan logo
Nissan X Trail 48,485
2000–2026 7.5 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Volkswagen VARIANT are there in New Zealand?

There are 59 Volkswagen VARIANT vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1963 to 2015.

How much does it cost to run a Volkswagen VARIANT?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Volkswagen VARIANT averages 7.1 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $56 per week or $2,905 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Volkswagen VARIANT?

The Volkswagen VARIANT is primarily classified as a station wagon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: saloon, hatchback, light van. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Volkswagen VARIANT cars imported or NZ-new?

61% of Volkswagen VARIANT vehicles in New Zealand originated from Not Known. A mix of NZ-new and imported vehicles make up the fleet. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.