The Volkswagen Lavida (Chinese: 大众朗逸; pinyin: Dàzhòng Lǎngyì) is a compact car manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. Originally launched at Auto China 2008 in Beijing, the Lavida is considered the first mass-produced Volkswagen small family car to be mainly designed by its Chinese partner. In 2010, the car was the number one seller in China, with 251,615 vehicles delivered.^[1]

Quick Facts First generation, Overview ...

First generation
Overview
Also called	Volkswagen Lavida Classic (2012–2018)
Production	2008–2012
Assembly	China: Anting, Shanghai (SAIC-VW)
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door sedan
Platform	Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform
Related	VW Golf Mk4 VW Jetta/Bora Mk4 VW New Beetle Audi A3 Mk1 Audi TT Mk1 SEAT León Mk1 SEAT Toledo Mk2 Škoda Octavia Mk1
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.4 L TSI 131 PS (96 kW; 129 hp) I4 1.6 L EA113，EA111 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) I4 2.0 L EA113 120 PS (88 kW; 120 hp) I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed Tiptronic 7-speed DSG
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,610 mm (102.8 in)
Length	4,605 mm (181.3 in)
Width	1,743 mm (68.6 in)
Height	1,465 mm (57.7 in)

Close

The first generation Lavida is based on the Volkswagen Group PQ34 platform (PQ34L) and competes with a similar Chinese Volkswagen model produced by FAW-Volkswagen which is the Bora.

At launch, it was equipped with two engine options, which were a 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre. The Lavida 1.4 TSI Sport was added to the range at Auto Shanghai 2009, which uses the same engine as the Sagitar TSI and equipped with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed DSG transmission.

Up until the replacement in April 2012, the Lavida sold more than 700,000 units.^[2] In July 2015, Volkswagen launched a 'New Lavida' with a redesigned exterior, but resembling a notchback, compared to the first generation Lavida resembling a fastback.^[3]

Gallery

2009 Volkswagen Lavida (China)

2009 Volkswagen Lavida (rear) (China)

The range was significantly updated in 2012, with the launch of the New Lavida at the Beijing Auto Show. The 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre engines were carried over, and the 2.0-litre engine option was axed. Power outputs are 96 kW (131 PS) for the 1.4 TSI and 77 kW (105 PS) for the 1.6. The new Lavida is more notchback-looking than the first generation.

The new Lavida retains the 2,610 mm wheelbase, but is slightly lower, shorter and wider. It is built on the platform of the first generation Škoda Octavia and has an extended wheelbase. A new model called the Lavida Lang Xing was introduced as the hatchback variant of the New Lavida.^[6]

In May 2018, the Lavida, along with the Tiguan, Santana, and Lamando, was launched in the Philippines as part of the new ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).

• Volkswagen Lavida II sedan (front)
• Volkswagen Lavida II sedan (rear)
• interior

• Volkswagen Lavida II sedan Facelift (front)
• Volkswagen Lavida II sedan Facelift (rear)

The third generation Lavida was launched at Auto China 2018 in Beijing, and is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. At launch, it was equipped with two engine options, including the 1.5-litre petrol engine with 116 hp or the 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine with 150 hp,^[10] mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox.^[11] It also received an extended 78 mm wheelbase compared to the previous generation.^[12]

• Volkswagen Lavida III (front)
• Volkswagen Lavida III (rear)

From 2018 to 2019, the Gran Lavida compact estate model was also offered.

• Volkswagen Gran Lavida 2018 (front)
• Volkswagen Gran Lavida 2018 (rear)

The Volkswagen Virtus was introduced in June 2023 in China as the Lavida XR, sharing the nameplate with the larger and more advanced third generation Lavida sedan while targeting younger customers. It is mostly identical to the Virtus, with few changes such as a different grille pattern, chrome on the air intake on the front bumpers, and dark-tinted tail lights. It is powered by a 1.5-litre MPI engine producing 108 PS (79 kW; 107 hp) and 141 N⋅m (104 lb⋅ft) with a 6-speed automatic transmission.^[14] It replaced the second-generation Lavida and the Santana.^{[citation needed]}

• 2023 Lavida XR
• Rear view