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.

[4] In 2010, Shanghai Volkswagen unveiled an E-Lavida concept car at Auto China 2010, though no details of production have been forthcoming.

[5] The range was significantly updated in 2012, with the launch of the New Lavida at the Beijing Auto Show.

[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).

[7] The production version of the Gran Lavida was presented in April 2013 at the Shanghai Auto Show.

The third generation Lavida was launched at Auto China 2018 in Beijing, and is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.

The facelift includes a restyled front end and rear bumper with a slightly revised interior.

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.