Attainable sports models prove popular in 2023

AUSTRALIAN buyers love affair with smaller sports models seems far from over with both Subaru and Volkswagen noting successful sports car sales across the 2023 calendar year.

Subaru Australia says that it has celebrated “significant sales success” across its line-up in 2023, with a total deliver number of 46,114 units sold – a year-on-year increase of 28 per cent.

And while the brand’s stalwart SUV range – comprising Crosstrek, Forester and Outback models – drove much of its volume, the popularity of the brand’s BRZ sports coupe is one that cannot be overstated.

The Subaru BRZ beat the Ford Mustang to become Australia’s best-selling sports car in 2023, selling 1573 examples against the Mustang’s 1475.

The figure marks an all-time record for the budget-busting sports coupe, whose previous record was 1411 unit sales back in 2011. Other sales in the Sports Car under $80K segment also included the BMW 2 Series, Mazda MX-5, Nissan Z, Mini Cooper, and the BRZ’s twin-under-the-skin Toyota GR86.

“Thank you to our nationwide dealer network, who have been integral to delivering this success with their commitment and passion for supporting Subaru drivers,” said Subaru Australia managing director Blair Read.

“The entire Subaru network is committed to providing outstanding vehicles that cater to a range of owners needs and adventures whilst providing confidence and security on all roads and in all conditions.”

Volkswagen Australia also noted improved fortunes in the performance segment with strong sales in particular of its GTI and R branded models.

Sales of GTI and R flavoured VW models increased by 264 per cent year-on-year to 5499 sales in 2023. Volkswagen Australia says the market remains the number-one for Tiguan R and T-Roc R globally, confirming that customers in this country look “overwhelmingly to Volkswagen for fast SUV models” and hatchbacks.

Highlights of the Volkswagen performance range across 2023 include the Tiguan R (2227 unit sales in 2023, up from 284 in 2022), the T-Roc R and T-Roc R Grid Edition (1846 versus 566 units), the Golf R (346 versus 151 units), the Golf GTI (693 versus 370 units), and the Polo GTI (387 versus 139 units).

“Volkswagen’s performance GTI and R models are unrivalled in the Australian market for their blend of class, speed and dynamics, and they are more highly sought after than the limited sports models offered by mainstream brands,” said Volkswagen Australia passenger vehicles head of product Michelle Rowney.

“Australians understand that the Polo GTI, Golf GTI, Golf R, T-Roc R and Tiguan R are attainable performance vehicles, yet they challenge a more expensive cohort in terms of interior and driving feel, and overall ability.

“The fact that Volkswagen’s most premium positioned models are among the most popular in this country simply illustrates the affinity that Australians have for the brand, and how they value quality and engineering expertise.”