Volkswagen Santana
Every Volkswagen Santana generation in the Burbles catalogue — complete specs, rarity tiers, interactive 3D cards, and the collectors who have spotted them on the street.
- Lineage Span
- 1983–2022 9 generations · 19 published trims
- Power Evolution
- 85 → 99 hp Base lead-trim output across eras
- Catalogue Rarity
- 9 Epic 9 Epic
All 9 Volkswagen Santana Generations
Each generation deals in its rarity tier’s alloy with its engine disc, lead specs, and first spotter record. Click into any generation for full trims and market figures.
Volkswagen launched this all-new Santana in Wolfsburg in October 2012 as a subcompact — while the OLD three-box Santana sedan it was meant to replace kept selling in China for another three months.
The Santana Vista's taxi version kept working Shanghai's streets years after this generation ended production, only retired in October 2018 for a fleet of new electric cabs.
The Santana 3000 was the first car Shanghai Volkswagen's own designers created entirely by themselves, rather than adapting an imported German design.
China's Santana 2000 wasn't engineered in Wolfsburg — Volkswagen do Brasil helped develop it, stretching the wheelbase and adding rear doors beyond its Brazilian cousin.
Unlike its Brazilian cousin, which came as a coupe and wagon too, the Argentine-built Carat was sold only as a 4-door sedan — no 2-door, no estate, ever.
Volkswagen de México sent the utilitarian Corsar out in style — a black-and-silver two-tone limited edition with leather trim, released just months before the model was discontinued.
Thanks to VW's AutoLatina tie-up with Ford, the very same Brazilian-built Santana was also sold badged as the Ford Versailles — and as the Ford Galaxy next door in Argentina.
Building the Santana for Japan, Nissan redesigned the whole bonnet just to relocate the wiper pivots for right-hand drive — far more than a simple mirror-image swap.
The Chinese-built Santana jump-started an entire industry — local parts content went from under 6% in 1986 to 89% by 1995.
Collectors Who Spotted the Volkswagen Santana
No member has published a public street spot of the Volkswagen Santana yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Volkswagen Santana Generation-by-Generation Comparison
Lead figures across every published generation, newest to oldest. Select any generation to inspect all trims and engine options.
| Generation | Years | Tier & Rarity | Engine | Power & Torque | 0–60 mph | Weight | Trims | First Spotter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santana A05 (China; 2012–2022) | 2012–2022 | Epic | 1.4L I4 | — | — | — | 2 trims → | Unclaimed |
| Santana Vista (China; 2008–2013) | 2008–2013 | Epic | 1.6L I4 | 94 hp | — | — | 3 trims → | Unclaimed |
| Santana 3000 (China; 2004–2008) | 2004–2008 | Epic | 2.0L I4 | — | — | — | 3 trims → | Unclaimed |
| Santana 2000 (China; 1995–2004) | 1995–2004 | Epic | 1.8L I4 | — | — | — | 1 trim → | Unclaimed |
| Carat (Argentina; 1987–1991) | 1987–1991 | Epic | 1.8L I4 | — | — | — | 2 trims → | Unclaimed |
| Corsar (Mexico; 1984–1988) | 1984–1988 | Epic | 1.8L I4 | 85 hp | — | — | 1 trim → | Unclaimed |
| Santana (Brazil; 1984–2006) | 1984–2006 | Epic | 2.0L I4 | — | — | — | 2 trims → | Unclaimed |
| Santana M30 (Nissan, Japan; 1984–1989) | 1984–1989 | Epic | 1.8L I4 | 99 hp | — | — | 3 trims → | Unclaimed |
| Santana (B2, China; 1983–2013) | 1983–2013 | Epic | 1.8L I4 | — | — | — | 2 trims → | Unclaimed |
See a Volkswagen Santana on the street, point Burbles at it, and that generation’s card goes in your binder with your own photo and serial number. Own one? Add it to your garage in the app.