Volkswagen’s value-focused Match trim returns, bringing more equipment at a lower cost

• Focus on affordability
• Packs extra kit over Life trim
• Available across 10 models

Volkswagen has reintroduced its ‘Match’ trim level to the UK, offering buyers more equipment than entry-level ‘Life’ models without having to splash out on pricier trim levels. The value-focused specification is available for 10 models across the Volkswagen lineup, including EVs for the first time, all of which are available to order now.

Which cars come in Match trim and what does it bring?

The combustion-engined cars available in Match trim include the Polo supermini, the T-Cross, T-Roc and Taigo small SUVs, the Tiguan SUV, and the Touran MPV. Depending on the model, Match trim costs between £175 to £705 more than entry-level Life trim (SE Family for the Touran), but adds some key features that should appeal to most buyers, including larger alloy wheels, metallic paint, tinted windows, keyless entry and a reversing camera. 

Electric models specified in Match trim benefit from even greater value. For the Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback, Match trim sits above a new entry-level Pro Essential model. While the latter starts from just £35,700, Match models pack metallic paint, an electric tailgate, LED matrix headlights and more for only £860 extra. Stepping up to the next trim level will cost you another £2,600 and top-spec ID.3s start from over £40k, so we expect the Match model to be the pick of the punch for most buyers. 

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The Volkswagen ID.4 SUV receives similar treatment, although the trim naming structure differs slightly. Pure Match trim is the new entry-point, costing the same £42,640 as the outgoing entry-level model, but brings all the extra kit found in the ID.3 Match. It’s the same story for the Volkswagen ID.5, which now starts from £45,860 – a saving of over £5k compared to the previous entry-level model.

What does this mean for car buyers?

Volkswagen’s Match trim appears to offer great value across its lineup. For buyers who find the entry-level models lacking in kit, but are unwilling to splash out on pricier top-spec variants, the new Match models could be the perfect compromise – especially for the more expensive EVs.

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