VR Statesman luxury model: approximately $38,000–$40,000
The VR Commodore featured major styling updates including revised front and rear ends, improved aerodynamics, upgraded interiors, and enhanced safety features
The VR Statesman offered premium luxury trims, improved ride comfort, air conditioning, leather interiors, and advanced features for executive buyers. The VR Statesman was built on a longer wheelbase than the VR Commodore.
Both models targeted Australian families and professionals seeking style, comfort, and would gain a reputation for being a reliable car long into its life.
The VR Commodore would win Wheels Car of the year in 1993.
It would be one of the bets selling cars of the 1990’s.
VR Commodore
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Average wage
Average weekly wage: about $580–$600
Average annual wage: roughly $30,160–$31,200
Average house price
Around $160,000
Price of petrol
About $1.05 per litre
Prime Minister
Paul Keating (Labor Party)
Population of Australia
About 17.5 million people
Top-grossing movie
Jurassic Park, Mrs. Doubtfire
Top song
I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston topped Australian charts
Significant world event
Collapse of the Soviet Union aftermath continued to shape global politics
Economic globalization and technological innovation influenced Australian markets
Popular TV / radio in Australia
Neighbours, Home and Away, A Current Affair, and Sale of the Century
FM radio and television continued shaping youth culture and music trends
Significant Australian news story
Economic policy, suburban expansion, and car ownership trends dominated headlines
The VR Commodore and VR Statesman reflected early 1990s Australian demand for stylish, comfortable, and feature-rich family and executive cars
Interesting comparisons
The VR Commodore cost roughly 0.8 years’ average wages, while the VR Statesman cost 1.3 years’ wages
The average house cost about 5.2–5.5 years’ wages
Filling a ~60L tank cost roughly $63 AUD
A week’s wages could buy roughly 550–575 litres of petrol
