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Volkswagen has recently made an extraordinary commitment to their line of Sport Utility Vehicles. This year, the Volkswagen Atlas was launched, adding a family SUV with a third row of seating to the line-up. But, we also revamped the Tiguan over the last two years to make sure that our name was among the best when it came to compact SUVs. Well, it appears that our efforts have been noticed as the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has been named Cars.com’s “ Best Compact SUV of 2017.” more The Cars.com Compact SUV Challenge tested vehicles with a maximum price of $35,000 including all options and destination charges. Testing took place in the Chicago suburbs, where judges drove each car on the same loop for back-to-back impressions. Vehicles were judged on value, spaciousness, as-equipped driver assistance technologies, such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, lane departure steering and lane-centering steering. Ease of child-safety seat installation was also evaluated and scored in each SUV. Cars.com noted the Tiguan’s exceptional value, laudable roominess, and high level of standard driver assist features as reasons. Editor in Chief of Cars.com, Jennifer Newman said, “The cargo capability is top of the class, making this small SUV a huge advantage for shoppers concerned about getting the most room for the money. The Tiguan is also a great option for families, earning the highest possible marks in Cars.com’s Car Seat Check.” Volkswagen of America couldn’t be happier with the announcement and recognition of the hard work to improve the Tiguan. “We are delighted that the 2018 Tiguan has been recognized by Cars.com as one of the best compact SUVs on the market,” said Derrick Hatami, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Every aspect of the Tiguan is designed to cater to the needs of American drivers and their families—from standard driver assist technologies to an optional third row—and this award validates the All-New Tiguan is a serious competitor in the segment.” 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan outlasted some formidable competitors in the challenge, as it bested the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-5, the Ford Escape, the Chevrolet Equinox, the Nissan Rogue, and the Jeep Compass. If you would like to learn more about the Tiguan, or schedule a test drive, please contact our team at Southpoint Volkswagen and we will be happy to assist you.

For over a year now excitement has been building over the new Volkswagen Atlas. Now that it is here, we are seeing that excitement as people visit the dealership to look at, test drive, and purchase a new Atlas. We thought it would be a good idea to see if that excitement is continuing after the purchase. So, we asked new Atlas owner Ashley a few questions about her new vehicle. more Southpoint VW: Is the Atlas your first Volkswagen? Ashley: Yes, it is my Volkswagen purchase for myself and my family Southpoint VW: What attracted you to the Atlas? Ashley: It was everything I wanted in a car. I shopped around for a lot of cars and when I rode in the Atlas I knew that it was the car for me. It had new technology I had never seen before, it was very spacious and a fabulous price. Southpoint VW: Has it lived up to what you thought it would be? Ashley: It has lived up to everything I thought it would be and more. I find new features every day that are very helpful and easy to use. It still surprises me with all the features it has! Southpoint VW: What is the best feature you've found that you weren't expecting? Ashley: The car can be personalized completely for you. When you turn the car on the dashboard welcomes me with my name and it has my seat situated and remembered if someone else where to drive it. I also have been most surprised by the adaptive cruise control. On the interstate, it almost completely drives itself. It's absolutely amazing that a car can have this technology. We couldn’t be happier that Ashley is so thrilled with her new Volkswagen Atlas. Even better, while her excitement bubbled over about the Atlas’s technology and driver-friendly features, she didn’t even mention the third row of seating or the cargo space, which are two of the Atlas’ best features. If you are interested in learning more about the Atlas, please contact our team at Southpoint Volkswagen and we can schedule a test drive for you.

The Volkswagen Golf has been on a hot streak in recent years. Golf models have made Car and Driver’s list of the ten best models for the last decade,  they have been an IIHS top safety pick every year in recent memory, and in 2015, the Golf was named Motortrend’s Car of the year. So with all this recent success, it would be difficult to make this already great line of cars even better, but that is exactly what they have done as Volkswagen brings upgrades to the 2018 Golf family. Here are a few of the improvements. more A larger touchscreen infotainment system Previously, the Golf S featured a five-inch touchscreen for its infotainment system. The 2018 model has broadened out to a six and a half-inch touchscreen display. The Golf SEL has upgraded to an eight-inch display. This enlargement gives the driver easier access to everything Golf’s infotainment system has to offer. Balanced exterior styling Over the past few years, the Golf has been moving towards a more rounded profile. This year, the Golf has moved to straighter, sleeker lines giving it a more stylish, bolder look. Accompanying this look are LED taillights and daytime running lights. LED headlights are optional as well. Upgrades to safety features Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist) is now available on most SE trims and above, as is Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert. The updated version of Front Assist now includes Pedestrian Monitoring. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), ParkPilot, Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist), and High Beam Control (Light Assist) are also available on some models. Of course, there are some areas where the Golf was already surpassing the competition. The most talked about aspect is how much fun it is to drive. So, since you don’t fix what’s not broken, Volkswagen has kept the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 170 horsepower engines. Volkswagen has also kept the five-speed manual transmission with an option to upgrade to a six-speed manual transmission. This, combined with its current suspension system maintains a sharp, well handled, fun ride for the driver. The Golf family of vehicles includes the Golf S, the SEL, the Alltrack, the GTI, the Sportwagen, and the Golf R for those that want all the bells and whistles. If you are interested in test driving any of the Golf family, please contact our team at Southpoint Volkswagen, and we will be happy to help.

It’s not every day that a car company ventures outside of their comfort zone to create something new, unexpected, or different from the rest of their line-up. But, that is what Volkswagen did with the Atlas. Along with the excitement of the release of the new Atlas has come a natural curiosity and a number of questions. We have been asked everything from, “what made Volkswagen want to build a mid-size SUV” to “will it feel like the Volkswagen I’m used to driving?” Fortunately, Volkswagen has put together a short video series on the Atlas’ backstory, or rather, how the Atlas came to be. more The first question answered in the videos is, “what made Volkswagen want to build the Atlas?” Next, they addressed design and explained how the “look” of the Atlas was formed. The third video talks about getting the Atlas from idea to reality. The fourth and final video of the series covers what went in to the engineering of the Atlas and how Volkswagen hopes it will with the lifestyle of the Volkswagen driver. If you are thinking about making the move to an SUV, and want to schedule a test drive, please contact our team at Southpoint Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen Atlas is here, and has been met with rave reviews. But, when you’re in the market for a new SUV, glowing praise isn’t always enough. What you need to know, especially for a brand-new model, is how it stacks up against the competition. You want to know how the Atlas will fit your lifestyle, when compared to similar SUVs. What sets the Atlas apart from every other Volkswagen to date is the third row of seating. So, to find the right comparison, we want to pit the Atlas versus another three row SUV. In this case, we are comparing the Volkswagen Atlas to the Toyota Highlander LE Plus. To do this, let’s look at four main categories that should be a consideration when purchasing an SUV. more Comparing the size of the Atlas versus the Highlander Right off the bat, the Volkswagen Atlas measures in larger than the Toyota Highlander. The Highlander is 191.1 inches long, 75.8 inches wide, and has a height of 68.1 inches. The Atlas is 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and has a height of 69.6 inches. This may not seem like much of a difference from the outside, but this difference shows its worth when it comes to cargo space. The Atlas boasts 96.8 cubic feet of potential cargo space. The Highlander measures short of that at a potential of 83.7 cubic feet of space. This translates to more room; whether you’re talking about filling that space with stuff, or you’re talking about the comfort of your passengers. Comparing the safety features of the Atlas versus the Highlander The Volkswagen Atlas, like the rest of the Volkswagen lineup, provides an assortment of both passive and active safety systems. It has been engineered to meet or exceed all current safety regulations and features six airbags as standard along with several electronic safety systems. All Atlas models are equipped with standard Electronic Stability Control. The Atlas is the only vehicle in its class to offer the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which is standard on all models. The Atlas is equipped with a basic rearview camera, pedestrian monitoring, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear traffic alert, and lane departure warning as well. The Highlander also has pedestrian detection as part of their pre-collision system, a rearview monitoring camera, and six airbags. However, it does not feature the automatic post collision braking system. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are both listed as “not available” for all models on their website. Comparing the gas mileage of the Atlas versus the Highlander This is one area that where the comparisons are close. According to the US Department of Energy, the Volkswagen Atlas offers 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The Toyota Highlander does slightly better in the city at 20 miles per gallon, but get 24 miles per gallon on the highway, making the difference negligible. Comparing the price of the Atlas versus the Highlander The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas starts at $34,875. The 2017 Toyota Highlander LE Plus starts at $35,060. It is important to note that the price for the Highlander is based on the 2017 model year, since the 2018 model has not yet arrived. It is also important to note that I is expected to rise slightly. While these comparisons may be a helpful step in deciding which three-row SUV is right for your family, nothing replaces getting a first-hand look at the vehicle. If you would like to do that, we encourage you to contact our team at Southpoint Volkswagen to schedule a test drive.

In what may be the most highly anticipated arrival of a new Volkswagen model in recent history, the Atlas is finally here. We feel that is cause for celebration. That is why this Friday, from 2pm until 6pm we will be hosting a launch party for the Atlas at Southpoint Volkswagen. Since the Atlas was first unveiled in October of 2016, we have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to offer Volkswagen’s largest SUV to our customers. Now, we can proudly invite everyone to our dealership to get a firsthand look at it as we will be celebrating the arrival of the new Volkswagen Atlas in Baton Rouge. more The launch party will be held at our dealership, 13940 Airline Hwy in Baton Rouge. We will have food and drinks for our guests, and will be offering giveaways throughout the party of Volkswagen t-shirts, hats, and other memorabilia. Of course, there will be ample opportunity to see our newest, largest SUV up close. Guests can get a feel for the class-competitive levels of technology and spaciousness combined with hallmark Volkswagen driving dynamics and attention to detail, all at a price designed to draw customers’ attention in the family SUV segment. The biggest draw of the Atlas is the size. Your family has grown with Volkswagen over the years, now the Volkswagen family is growing with yours. It features a third row of seats that allows it to comfortably fit up to seven adults. If you’re wondering how big the Atlas is; it measures in at 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 69.6 inches high. But, while larger in size, it still retains classic proportions and clean lines that create a sense of timelessness and precision. Along with the larger size, Volkswagen is offering America’s best warranty as well. The 2018 Atlas offers a six-year/72,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty which includes powertrain coverage for their engines, transmissions, and optional 4Motion® all-wheel-drive system coverage. The warranty for most of the Atlas' competitors is three-year/36,000-mile. Also, all its elements can be transferred to subsequent owners up to 6 years or 72,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The 2018 Atlas isn’t just bigger, it is American made as well. The Atlas is constructed at our Chattanooga, Tennessee Assembly Plant alongside the Volkswagen Passat. The launch party for the new Volkswagen Atlas coincides with the 25 th anniversary of Southpoint Volkswagen, whose doors first opened in Baton Rouge June 1, 1992. You are invited to this celebration, and we hope you will take this opportunity to get acquainted with everything the Atlas has to offer. If you have any questions about the launch party, or about the Atlas, please contact a member of our team at Southpoint Volkswagen, and we will be happy to answer them for you. We hope to see you Friday.

This month marks the much-anticipated arrival of the Volkswagen Atlas. For months now, excitement over Volkswagen’s newest SUV has been growing and continues to build as the arrival date nears. But, what is it about the Atlas that has people so excited? It is a combination of things. First of all, it is the largest SUV Volkswagen has produced. Beyond that, it has many features that adapt to the lifestyle Volkswagen drivers have become accustomed to. To point out just a few, here are 5 ways the new Volkswagen atlas will enhance your Baton Rouge lifestyle. more How many people can the Atlas seat? Since it is the largest SUV Volkswagen produces, this is probably the best place to start. Over the years, as your family grows, your lifestyle and your vehicle adapt to that growth. The Volkswagen Atlas features a 3rd row of seating and can accommodate seven passengers. If you need more cargo space than passenger room, both the second and 3rd row of seats can be removed to create 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space. What safety features will I find on the Atlas? As your family has grown, safety features in your vehicle have likely become more important along the way. The Atlas was designed with safety in mind. First, there is increased awareness of what is around you. The Atlas comes equipped with an overview camera, a rearview camera, and pedestrian monitoring. Next, there are front and rear crumple zones that deflect the effects of an impact away from the driver and passengers. Also, high-strength steel is used in certain exterior body panels to enhance sturdiness. What driver assistance features will I find on the Atlas? Once you’re driving, the awareness of your surroundings is enhanced even further with our driver assistance features. Front assist, blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, lane assist, park assist, adaptive cruise control, and park pilot are all included on the Atlas. The Atlas features an 8-speed automatic transmission. Whether you’re stuck in Baton Rouge traffic, or taking the family out for a weekend excursion, efficiency and performance are at another level with the Atlas. In fact, in Tiptronic mode, you can shift manually and take control of your driving experience. The Atlas adapts to the terrain. Another way that the Atlas will enhance your Baton Rouge lifestyle is by adapting to the environment around it. Optional 4motion technology automatically distributes power between front and back wheels as needed to optimize traction. So, if it’s raining, or if you are on a gravel road, the Atlas will adjust, giving you greater stability. These features are just a few examples of what is being introduced with the Volkswagen Atlas. To get a better idea of everything it offers; call our team at Southpoint Volkswagen. We will answer any questions you have, and can even set up a test drive upon arrival.

If you’re in the market for a new or used car, have you taken notice of the Volkswagen CC?  If not, you may want to!  As the CC approaches its tenth anniversary, it continues to grow its reputation as a sleek, executive sedan. In fact, with each model year that passes, more and more industry experts are finding more wonderful things to say about the Volkswagen CC. Here are a few excerpts from recent reviews. more What Does Car and Driver have to say about the Volkswagen CC? Describing the look of the CC, both inside and out, Car and Driver magazine said, "its crisp purity of line unsullied by the grille and lighting changes of a couple years ago. It’s lower with a more alluring stance and promises more excitement. The interior still looks handsome, and the controls are easy to locate and operate." When talking about the CC's performance, they added, "It goes about its business with a ‘really sweet’ balance of handling and ride comfort, good feedback and control in its pedals and shifter, and the responsive engine we’ve applauded in many VW products." Motortrend’s Review of the Volkswagen CC Motortrend starts by complimenting the pep and ease of use of the CC. In fact, they highlight those two things as bullet points before getting into the meat of their review. They note the positive safety ratings from both IIHS and NTHSA. Describing the performance, Motortrend said, "the car’s 200-hp turbo-four feels more powerful than what the spec sheet suggests." Report on Volkswagen CC from The Car Connection The bullet points from The Car Connection mention ageless looks, smooth, quiet ride, and some of the luxury amenities. As they get into describing the CC, the Car Connection said, “It still looks good, its interior is impressive, and it offers a good blend of ride comfort and crisp handling.” Edmunds Praise for the Volkswagen CC The folks at Edmunds started off with nothing but praise for the CC. In fact, here is the first paragraph of their review. "Stand a few yards away from the 2017 Volkswagen CC, and its appeal is obvious. With sleek coupe styling wrapped around four doors, the CC's exterior design stands out as one of the most interesting among midsize sedans. Inside, the CC cabin impresses with near-luxury features and fit and finish. A 200-horsepower turbocharged engine and six-speed automatic transmission pairing feels quick and refined, and sounds terrific." They also go on to compliment the turbocharged engine as well as the fuel efficiency. Consistent throughout the reviews is the sleek look of the CC as it tries to capture the sports car feel in the form of a sedan. This inevitably leads to a more fun, spirited drive. If you would like to learn more about the Volkswagen CC, please contact a member of our team at Southpoint Volkswagen and we will be happy to help you.

This is the time of year, when next year’s models start arriving on the lot, and you see deals and incentives popping up on the current model year cars. However, at Volkswagen this year, another opportunity presents itself as this year’s “Best In Class” mid-size sedan is among those in the spotlight. more Earlier this year, Cars.com gave the 2016 Volkswagen Passat the nod for “Best In Class” among mid-size sedans. The Passat was given exemplary rankings by their judges for interior quality, comfort, acceleration, child safety seats, and value. It was pitted against the Hyundai Sonata, the Subaru Legacy, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Honda Accord, the Kia Optima, the Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry. Volkswagen made a few noticeable upgrades to the Passat for 2016. Outside it has a more aggressive design than it did in 2015. Inside, it features a more sophisticated interior, a new instrument panel, and has integrated VW’s latest MIB II infotainment system. The 2016 Passat also has numerous features that help live up to the reputation for safety that comes with a Volkswagen. Now, as the 2017 models arrive, the 2016 Passat is an ever better bargain than it was when it earned its title. Whether you look at favorable financing rates through Volkswagen credit, or discounts through sale prices, the vehicle that took home Cars.com’s coveted prize in part for being “worth the money,” now costs even less than it did a few months ago. It’s not unusual for a car to be a better bargain this time of year, and there are many reasons to buy a current model year vehicle when the next year’s models are arriving. It’s still a new car, as it does not have a previous owner, incentives are in place that make it even more appealing, and the dealers are looking to make room for the new inventory. What is rare is for a car with these accolades to be among those to choose from.

As we get ready for the next model year for cars here at Southpoint Volkswagen, we want to share a little of what to expect from the 2017 Volkswagen Jetta. Volkswagen has been making tremendous strides in recent years of responding to what Volkswagen owners want, need, and ask for, without abandoning what makes the Volkswagen Jetta loved and respected in the first place. The 2017 Jetta is a great example of that response. more Overall, Volkswagen has simplified the Jetta lineup for 2017, narrowing it down to four models. The base model is the S. Then there’s the SE, the SEL, and the SEL Premium (though you’ll likely need to special order this one). The Jetta S will feature 16-inch steel wheels as standard. Also standard is a rearview camera, LED DRLs, and two-tone cloth seats. It also offers the option of a cold weather package (not that we need that in Baton Rouge). The midline Jetta SE adds VW Car-Net connectivity, a sunroof, LED DRLs, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, and V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces with rear pass-through functionality. The Jetta SEL trim will now feature a power driver’s seat; LED DRLs; exterior chrome accents; Climatronic automatic dual-zone climate control; Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist); and Adaptive Cruise Control. These additions come in the wake of improvements made last year, like the upgrades to the infotainment system which made it compatible with both Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Compatibility with multiple systems is something that a number of car makers are still struggling with. This coupled with the larger than normal back seat for a smaller sedan, an enormous trunk, and the safety standards that Volkswagen has always been proud of and last year’s Jetta was in the running for Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award. Let’s see where this year’s upgrades take it.

Cars.com has released their annual “best in class” for 2016, and guess who came out on top for mid-size sedans? The Volkswagen Passat gets the nod for the 2016 mid-size sedan challenge over some formidable competition. In drawing this conclusion, the folks at cars.com took into account a number of factors. They looked at cars from a previous challenge in 2014 where the Passat finished third, then “added models with significant redesigns or refreshes along with the segment sales leader.” A few of the things they looked at were, “automatic transmissions, get an EPA-estimated rating of 28 mpg combined and cost $28,000 or less.” more From there, they put the cars through a week long test. They drove them "on a 220-mile real-world mileage course in and around" a major American city. Their judges drove them "back-to-back-to-back on the same pavement to evaluate ride, handling, comfort, acceleration and more." Finally, they "brought in an in-market couple to test the cars for ride, handling, acceleration and more." Going up against the Passat were the Hyundai Sonata, who won the challenge two years ago, the Subaru Legacy, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Honda Accord, the Kia Optima, the Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry. Here are a few quotes that the judges from cars.com had about the Passat: "The 1.8-liter engine is smooth, and never really feels like a turbo, until you want it to." "The Passat's cushy seats, and pleasant ride and handling balance, make it long-trip comfortable." "The integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add features and help future-proof the multimedia technology." "The collision-avoidance system with emergency braking is standard on the Passat." Judging different categories on a scale of one to ten, the Passat bested all competition with an 8 for interior quality, a 7.8 for comfort, a 7.6 for acceleration, a 9 for child safety seats, and a 7.6 for “worth the money.” Interestingly enough, the lowest score the Passat received in any category was for “tech and entertainment,” but even in that category, the judges noted the Passat’s ability to adapt to more users than their competition. One judge said, "Many automakers keep saying that their cars will eventually be equipped with both CarPlay and Android Auto, but few have delivered." Since the price range for their mid-sized sedan challenge was capped at $28,100, the judges didn’t base their rankings on price, but it is worth noting that of the 9 models they compared, 5 of them were priced higher than the Passat.

As summer approaches, that usually means vacation time for the family. When considering your vacation destination, cost is almost always a factor. This often ends up leaving people grounded, nudging them towards opting for a road trip instead of flying. But, even if you go “Griswold,” you still want to keep your cost down. One of the ways to do that is to maximize your gas mileage before you hit the road. So, we have put together a list of 5 tips to increase your gas mileage. more Replace your air filter. A clean air filter improves air flow to the engine. This causes your engine to work more efficiently. That means it will take less acceleration to get the car moving, which means less gas that you have to give it to get up to your desired speed. Check your tire pressure. You want to do this anyway to extend the life of your tires. Over the course of a winter, as temperatures fluctuate, you can lose tire pressure. That reduction in pressure leads to more of the tire making contact with the road. That gives you more resistance, and lower fuel efficiency. Inflating the tires to their recommended pressure alleviates that resistance. It should be noted, that there is no benefit to over inflating your tires. Some people have bought into the myth that the more air you have above the recommended pressure, further reduces the resistance with the road. There is no data to support that myth. Furthermore, overinflating your tires reduces their life span, which means buying tires more frequently, which completely negates the idea of trying to save money. Manage your air conditioning. This is really a series of tips within a tip. Managing your air conditioning is difficult in South Louisiana. Ideally, the best gas mileage comes with the windows rolled up and the air conditioning turned off as the a/c is a major strain on fuel. But, I think we can all agree that that is never going to happen during a Louisiana summer. So, you are left with managing the a/c you use. Try parking in the shade when you can. Roll down your windows when you first get in the car to let the hot air out. Provided it’s comfortable, keep the windows down when you are traveling under 40 miles an hour, and don’t turn on the air until the windows are up. Above 40 miles per hour, switch to the a/c, because once you start getting to higher speeds, the windows being down creates more drag than the drain on the gas caused by the a/c. Keep your engine properly tuned. Fortunately, today’s vehicles have no problem sharing with you when there is something that needs to be addressed. Also, keeping with your service schedule at your Volkswagen dealer, means that you will be as tuned as you can be most of the time. But, if you drive an older vehicle, or don’t get regular maintenance, and something goes wrong, you can end up wasting as much in lost fuel efficiency as you can by paying to have your vehicle fixed. The most common problem that seems unimportant, but costs you dearly is having a faulty oxygen sensor. This can leave a 30 to 40% dent in your fuel efficiency. That means you will be back at the pump a third more often than you are now. Get your foot off the floor. The harder you accelerate, the more gas you use. By easing out of red lights and stop signs, you can reduce the amount of gas it takes to get you moving. Naturally, you don’t want to get the driver behind you mad, but you’re not drag racing either. The best way to describe what you should be doing, is to “accelerate smoothly.” A secondary tip to accompany this is to keep your speed down over all. The faster you are going, the more drag your vehicle creates. Anything over 55 miles per hour, and the drag increases significantly as you continue to raise you speed. So, every time you wonder if you’re “making good time,” try to keep in mind that “good time” can easily be negated by more frequently needing to stop for gas. There are dozens, if not hundreds of ways to improve your gas mileage. Adopting as many as you can is better for your car and better for your wallet. If we can help along the way, please contact our service department.