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The market for SUV’s continues to grow on an annual basis. Every year, SUV’s become more driver friendly, more technologically advanced, and more fuel efficient. Buyers love the roominess, being up high, and many other features. There is also the added benefit of the attitude and lifestyle that has a growing appeal. Volkswagen has been following this trend and has been responding in kind with some positive results. In 2016, Volkswagen made great strides in the SUV market by introducing the Atlas, and making some tweaks to the Tiguan that were met with rave reviews. Moving forward, Volkswagen continues to gain momentum in the SUV market. more Continuing with the recent success of adjustments made to the Tiguan, Volkswagen has announced that a few more changes will be made. The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan was recently unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. Hinrich J. Woebcken, CEO of the North American Region, Volkswagen said,  “Every detail of the Tiguan has been thoughtfully engineered for our U.S. customers to maximize space and convenience, while retaining its performance, agility, and value. We plan to price Tiguan very competitively with other compact SUVs.” The biggest difference between the current Tiguan and the 2018 model is in size. The new Tiguan is 10.7 inches longer than the current version and has up to 57 percent more cargo capacity. The 109.9-inch wheelbase—4.4 inches longer than the new Tiguan sold in Europe—provides both sliding second-row seats and an optional third row. This optional third row has been one of the more frequently requested additions in the SUV market overall in recent years. In terms of driver assistance technology, the new Tiguan has a standard rear camera. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian monitoring, blind spot monitor, and lane departure warning are other available features. While the Tiguan is getting bigger in response to demand, as a crossover vehicle, it remains the smallest of Volkswagen’s SUV family. There is the larger Touareg, and soon the even larger Atlas will be added to that list. If you are thinking about an SUV for your next vehicle, please give us a call, as anyone at Southpoint Volkswagen would be happy to show you what we have to offer.

2017 is already off to a great start for Volkswagen as its Golf family of vehicles receives some good news to bring in the New Year. Car and Driver Magazine has named the Golf, Golf Alltrack, Golf GTI, and Golf R to its 2017 “10 Best” list. The Golf was praised were versatility, dynamics and value. more From the Volkswagen Press Release: “There are currently five different versions of the Golf for sale in all 50 states, a sweeping armada of excellence that includes three gas engines, front- or all-wheel drive, and wagon or hatch­­­back body styles,” said Car and Driver. “Attitudes range from the save-some-fuel base Golf to the kill-some-apexes Golf R. Volkswagen manages to imbue every trim level with the same understated feel, regardless of specification or price. All Golfs drive with a solid composure and predictability, with controlled body motions and the ride quality of a far more expensive machine.” Going head to head with sixty other vehicles, the Golf family was measured on “value, performance and the ability to satisfy the comprehensive driving needs of the consumer.”  While Volkswagen is honored to be named as one of Car and Driver’s 10 best, this is certainly not the first time that Golf has received the nod. In fact, this is the eleventh consecutive year that Golf has made the cut. Being named one of Car and Driver’s 10 best is the most recent honor for the Golf family. In 2016, Golf was one of a number of Volkswagen models to be named an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus. In 2015, the Golf GTE won a Techie award for “green development” in regards to hybrid innovation. Also in 2015, the Golf family was named as Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. If you would like to learn more about any of the versions of the Golf family, or would like to set up a test drive, please call our team at Southpoint Volkswagen.

As the calendar gets ready to turn over to a new year, and temperatures finally begin to drop, it is time to start getting your Volkswagen ready for cooler Baton Rouge weather. Though Louisiana winters aren’t as extreme as other parts of the country, there are still things you need to do to prepare. We may not get much, if any, snow, but we get our share of nasty, wintry weather. Here are a few simple reminders to keep you safer on the road. more Check your windshield wipers Make sure they are flush with your windshield. As leaves and pine needles fall, they can get behind your wipers creating indentations that result in streaks left behind when you use them. You also want to make sure the rubber on the wiper blades is still in good shape as it can age and deteriorate throughout the year. Check your tires Changes in temperature often lead to a drop in tire pressure. It’s always a good idea to check your tire pressure as the temperature drops to make sure it is at the right level. While we’re talking tires, it’s a good idea to check the tread regularly as well. You can quickly use the penny test to see how worn they are and if you are due for new tires. Test your battery This is one that catches a lot of people off guard. The morning after the first freeze of the winter; you go out to your car, sit down, turn the key… and nothing happens. There are two main possibilities to explain this. The first is, your battery’s connections. Cold weather causes metal to contract, and this can cause the terminals to lose their connection with the posts. Provided everything is properly connected, it is possible that your battery drained overnight. A battery can lose thirty five percent of its strength when the temperature hits the freezing point and even more as it dips lower. Check your coolant It may seem like an oxymoron to need coolant in the winter, but you do. It is also important to make sure you have a 50/50 coolant to water ratio. This lowers the freezing point of the mixture, while also cooling the engine when the car is running. If you use all coolant, you run the risk of engine failure. If you use all water, you raise the risk of it freezing, creating the possibility for a leak in the system. Check your lights Naturally, you never want to have a burned out light in your car, as it could potentially get you a ticket. But, it is of even greater importance during the winter months for safety reasons. Days are shorter, and we use our lights more in the winter. With some winter storms, we need our lights just as much in the afternoon as we do at night. Make sure each of your lights work properly, and pay particular attention to your headlights. If they seem dimmer than they should be, have the covers cleaned, or have the bulbs replaced. These reminders are all very simple, but also easily overlooked. If you would like us to take a look at your vehicle to make sure everything is ready for the winter, please schedule an appointment with our service department at Southpoint Volkswagen and we’ll happily get you ready for the cold.

There are so many reasons why the Sunday drive will never go away. Quality family time is harder to come by these days; as is the chance to escape from the pace of everyday life. The Sunday drive offers these outlets and more. But, while you want to let the Sunday drive allow you to wander, it is still a good idea to have a destination in mind. That is why we have compiled a list of the 5 best Sunday drives around Baton Rouge. more Port Hudson Port Hudson was the site of a forty eight day long Civil War battle when Confederate troops, outnumbered five to one, tried to stop the union Army from taking control of the Mississippi River. Today, 889 acres of the northern portion of the battlefield stands as the Port Hudson State Commemorative Area. There are three observation towers, six miles of trails, a museum, a picnic area and restrooms. The site is a rare opportunity to learn American History on the grounds where that history took place. It's also very easy to find. Simply take Highway 61 North. The Port Hudson Historic Site will be on your left about 25 miles north of Baton Rouge. River Road Plantations Another walk through Louisiana History in our own backyard can be found at any of the great River Road Plantations. Tourists come from all over the world to tour them, and we often overlook how close these treasures are to us. While you can get to Houmas House and San Francisco Plantation on the East side of the Mississippi River, we recommend crossing over to the West side, taking Highway 1 South until you see the sign for Nottaway Plantation, then turning left towards the river. After Nottaway, you can hug the river on Highways 405 and 18 to see Oak Alley and Laura Plantations in Vacherie, and Evergreen and the Whitney Plantations in Edgard. Cat Island The Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is not an island inhabited by cats ( that’s in Japan). Cat Island is, however, a refuge for the Louisiana Black Bear, bobcats, minks, river otter, and countless species of migratory birds. The river does not have levees around Cat Island, so it does flood in the spring when the water levels are naturally high. But, there are swamp tours available. To get to Cat Island, take Highway 61 North through St. Francisville. Turn left on charlotte Armstrong Street. Then take Airport road to CR-225 and follow it to the refuge. Remember, this is a wildlife refuge, so don’t expect any amenities while you’re there. Also, since St. Francisville is along the way, you may want to check out Rosedown Plantation or the Myrtles. Kleibert’s Turtle and Alligator Farm Another great opportunity to learn about the nature and wildlife that surrounds us in south Louisiana is at Kleibert’s Alligator and Turtle Farm. Kleibert’s features a swamp with a walking tour, up close access to alligators, and an alligator farm where you can hand-feed the gators. You may remember the name Mike Kleibert from the 1 st season of Swamp People on the History Channel. Kleibert’s is south of I-12 in Hammond, but since this about Sunday Drives, let’s skip the interstate and take Old Hammond Highway all the way to Happywoods Rd just before I-55. Turn right on Happywoods and take it until you turn left on West Hoffman Road. From there, you’ll take a left on W. Yellow Water Road to find Kleibert’s. By the way, when you’re in Hammond, we recommend rounding out this Sunday drive by feeding your sweet tooth at Eddie’s Frozen Custard Shop on West Thomas Street in Hammond Donaldsonville While most Sunday drives aim to take you off the beaten path, this one sends you right downtown. Donaldsonville, which was actually the State Capital for a brief time in the 1800’s, offers a downtown full of history and historic architecture. The Ascension Parish Courthouse is one of the highlights of the drive; as is the Ascension of our Lord Catholic Church, which dates back to the 1700’s. These are just two of more than 600 buildings that are over 100 years old. To get there, cross the river and take Highway 1 south. It will take you straight into downtown. While you’re checking out some of the hidden highlights around Baton Rouge, you want to enjoy the car you’re exploring in. If you’re in a Volkswagen, from the Golf all the way up to the Tiguan, you will find a sporty ride that puts the safety and comfort of your family at the forefront. If you find that your current vehicle isn’t up to the challenge of hitting the back roads of South Louisiana over the weekend, please give us a call at Southpoint Volkswagen and we can help you find a car more suited to your lifestyle and desire to be adventurous.

As we go through life, our priorities continually change. What we want versus what we need is dependent upon where we are in life. When we are just entering the workforce, and every dollar counts, we value the fuel efficiency of the Golf, as we move up the ladder at work, we may want to move up to a sedan like a Passat or a CC, and when we have kids, it’s time to start looking for a vehicle that can carry more people. It is with this in mind that Volkswagen announced the newest addition to its family, the Atlas. more The Atlas, which will be available in 2017, will be the largest Volkswagen assembled in America. Measuring in at 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 69.6 inches high, Atlas will be Volkswagen’s deepest delve into the family SUV. It will retain the classic proportions and clean lines that create a sense of timelessness and precision, while not sacrificing size. Perhaps more importantly, it has a third row of seating. The third-row can be easily reached by an innovative folding seat solution, one that works even with child seats installed in the second row. Simple, driver-centric displays enhance the feeling behind the wheel rather than distracting from it and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit allows drivers to reconfigure how they view vehicle information. Of course, Atlas will be keeping up with technology as well. The available Volkswagen Car-Net® system provides a full suite of connected vehicle services, including standard App-Connect technology that offers integration with the three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®. The Atlas also offers available driver assistance features that had been previously been reserved for premium SUVs, at an affordable level. These include: Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert; Lane Departure Warning, which actively helps the driver steer the car back into its lane; and Parking Steering Assistant, and an automatic post-collision braking system. “This is the biggest and boldest Volkswagen we have ever built in the United States, delivering the distinctive design and craftsmanship we’re known for, now with room for seven,” said Hinrich J. Woebcken, CEO of the North America Region, Volkswagen. “The Atlas marks a brand new journey for Volkswagen to enter into the heart of the American market.” And, it’s not just being sold in the American market; it’s being built in the USA as well. Following a nearly $1 Billion dollar investment in their Chattanooga facility, Volkswagen will be building the Atlas in Tennessee in the same plant where the Passat is made. If you’re curious about exactly when you can expect the Atlas to arrive, give us a call at Southpoint Volkswagen.

Our phones are a larger part of our lives every day. They hold our contacts, our schedules, our social interactions, and our entertainment. So, it becomes a bigger priority for us to stay connected to them wherever we go. This includes the time we spend in the car. But, since your focus needs to be on the road while you’re behind the wheel, you can’t just bury your head in your phone to make calls, access music, or do whatever it is you want to do. That is why we offer VW Car-Net, which allows you to access Android auto in the Volkswagen Jetta. more With VW Car-Net, you have your phone’s full range of capabilities. You can access your contacts lists to make calls or send texts via voice commands. You can also use Google Voice to ask your smartphone questions. By connecting to Android Auto through VW Car-Net, you have access to all the music and music based apps in your phone as well. In fact, this doesn’t stop at music. You also have podcasts and audiobooks available as well. Plus, they can all be accessed from your dashboard, allowing you to keep your focus where it needs to be, on the road. Another feature of Android Auto is the mapping app. Whether you’re going somewhere you’ve never been, or seeking an alternate route to avoid traffic, the mapping app will help you navigate your way there. To take it a step further, since you have access to both your contacts, and mapping, you have the capability for personalized navigation. Perhaps the best part of accessing Android Auto through VW Car-Net is the ease of use. All you have to do is plug your phone in, and your menu will appear on the touchscreen. If you have any questions along the way, just contact us at Southpoint Volkswagen, and we’ll be happy to help.

Buying a car can be a stressful experience for some. Whether you’re buying new or previously owned, a purchase of that magnitude brings with it concerns that are difficult to shake. You may be left wondering if you’re spending too much, if the car you are buying will really be what you need once you get it off the lot, or what problems might pop up with the car in the near future. But, by taking a few precautionary steps, all the worry of purchasing a previously owned can turn into consumer confidence. That is why we have put together a list of 5 steps to take before buying a used car. more Set a budget – Setting a budget is the first step of the process because unless you know what you can spend, you won’t know what you are actually in the market for. How much can you afford overall? How much do you plan on financing? How much is your trade-in worth? What do you want your monthly payment to be? How long do you want to pay a car note? By answering these questions you can effectively set a budget to purchase your next vehicle. Narrow your choices – Setting your budget should narrow the field a bit, but there are more than just pricing concerns when it comes to buying a car. How many people will you regularly have riding in the car? Will it be primarily for short commutes, or longer drives? Is gas mileage a concern? Is the driver’s seat big enough for you? Does it have the look you want? If you research these and any other criteria you have before stepping foot on a car lot or dealership, you can save yourself and the dealer a lot of time. Test drive – Once you have your field of potential choices narrowed, you want to find those vehicles in your area and give them a test drive. You definitely want to test drive more than one vehicle. After being in your car for an extended period of time, sitting behind the wheel of another car is going to have a different feeling. You want to compare and contrast between the different types of cars on your list rather than making what you currently drive the point of reference. History Report – This is quite possibly the most important step before buying a used car. If you are at a dealership, like ours at Southpoint Volkswagen, that offers a certified pre-owned program, this won’t be a problem. A reputable dealer is often out front and eager to share the vehicle’s history with you. However, there are some used car dealers that, for one reason or another, aren’t as open about this. Make no mistake, this is a deal breaker and you should be ready to walk away if they can’t provide the car’s history. Also, if they offer a deeper discount in lieu of a history report, this should serve as a warning that they are trying to hide something. Find where price and choice meet – This step is kind of an encapsulation of the previous steps. Sometimes once we get shopping, our wish list of what we want in our next car starts to get too long, and we forget about that original budget. If you don’t keep your budget in mind, you’ll end up shopping for a car you can’t afford. If you find the car you’re looking for at a dealership that has either priced the car too high or can’t help you with financing, don’t be afraid to walk away and keep shopping. Speaking of walking away, it is important to remember that you can do that at any point along the way. We, like most reputable dealerships, go out of our way to make purchasing a previously owned vehicle as smooth and pain-free as possible. We understand it is a big decision and want you to be comfortable with that decision. If you have any questions along the way, give us a call at Southpoint Volkswagen.

Things get a little scarier on Halloween. Ghosts and goblins lurk around the corner, monsters of all kinds creep around, and a variety of other frights make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Similarly, buying a new car can be scary as well. Will you make the right choice? Will you spend the right amount? Will you get the best deal for your money? These things can be scarier than Michael Myers. But, car buying doesn’t have to be scary. Simply preparing ahead of time can make the car buying experience a lot less like A Nightmare On Elm Street and a lot more like It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. So let’s apply a few time honored Halloween traditions to buying a new car to help avoid a decision that will come back to haunt you. more Know what you want. When we were kids, Halloween meant trick-or-treating. That meant hitting the streets with family or friends, following a route through the neighborhood, and coming home with a big bag of goodies. When you think about it, this is not unlike the process you should follow when buying a new car. Hitting the streets and following a route through your neighborhood is similar to knowing what you need when it comes to mileage and space. If your commute is longer than average, you’ll need a car that gets good gas mileage. If you have a family that needs to get to and from everything on their schedule, you know you need a vehicle that can carry more passengers. When it comes to bringing home a big bag of goodies that compares to selecting the features you want. Everyone wanted the best candy, and at the end of the night would try to trade away the no-name garbage. When you are buying a new car, you get to select all your favorite features before you shop. Instead of Kit Kats and Reese’s pumpkins, back-up cameras and an mp3 player might be what you desire. Choose your costume carefully. Halloween is more fun when you dress up, and getting your costume just the way you want it to look is very satisfying. The same is true when shopping for a new car. You get to decide what car you will look best in, and find it before you even step on the lot. Many dealerships, like southpointvw.com, allow you to get a look at your next car before you venture out to the lot. If it’s on the lot, it’s on our site. The style, colors and interior can all be what suits you if you shop online before you buy. Avoid the scary house with the lights out. Every neighborhood had at least one house that had that long, spooky walkway to the front door, or the house that never had their lights on. These houses were just plain uninviting and looked like you might encounter a zombie or vampire if you approached them. As a kid, you knew better and didn’t even try to knock on their door. The same is true with car dealerships. If the dealership looks uninviting, keep on driving. If you are approached by a salesperson that doesn’t know their cars inside and out (let’s call them zombies), you should move on. Or, if the salesperson gives you the impression that they are going to bleed you dry (that’s obviously the vampire), the same is true; just walk away. Safety first. When you went trick-or-treating as a kid, your parents put safety above all else. They would bring a flashlight, make sure everyone looked both ways before crossing the street, and kept the group together. As you got older and started going to Halloween parties, safety hopefully stayed at the forefront. You would designate a driver, avoid anything too reckless, and try to be home by curfew. When it comes to buying a new car, safety should remain at the forefront. At Volkswagen, we pride ourselves on safety. We have multiple models that are rated as IIHS top safety picks annually. Walking into a car dealership without knowing what you want ahead of time is like walking into a haunted house, dark and scary. Having a plan in place and knowing what you want can turn that haunted house into a pumpkin patch where you can happily choose the one you want. If we at Southpoint Volkswagen can help you along the way, we’re happy to help you avoid the tricks when getting your treats.

Fall in South Louisiana means football, and football means tailgating. But, tailgating doesn’t mean you need a big truck to get what you need out to the game. In fact, with the right game plan, you can get everything you need to campus in your Volkswagen. more For starters, you need to know what you’re working with in terms of storage space. If you drive a Beetle, you’ve got 15.4 cu ft. of space to work with, with the seats up. For the Jetta, that’s 15.5 cu ft. and the amount of available room goes up from there depending on the model you drive. So start with the basics, and build your perfect tailgating kit from there. The basics: Table & Chairs – Fortunately, there are very few things that don’t come in a collapsible version meant for camping, outdoor use, or in this case, tailgating. Tables and chairs fall into that category. You should be able to find these at just about any sporting goods store. Ice Chest – You will have plenty of room in the trunk of your Volkswagen to bring a 36qt ice chest. But, you will need to pack it efficiently to make sure everything you need for the day fits. Start by putting your beverages on the bottom, ice on top of the beverages, then food on top of the ice. This not only allows you easy access to the food when it’s time to cook, but also prevents water from potentially seeping in to any of your food containers. Grill – If you want to cook while you’re tailgating (and who doesn’t), you can find a wide array of portable grills at any sporting goods store. If you don’t have a preference between charcoal and propane, we recommend buying a portable propane grill as the fuel tanks take up less trunk space than a bag of charcoal and the grill will cool down faster after you’re done cooking. Toolbox – No, we aren’t recommending bringing actual tools out to tailgate. But we are recommending you pick up a toolbox to store all the little things you’ll need throughout the day. Utensils, cozies, plates, bottle opener, matches, napkins, bug spray, or anything else you need can be stored efficiently in separate drawers of a toolbox while taking Lagniappe: Once you’ve got the essentials covered, it’s time to utilize your remaining storage space with the items that you want, but don’t necessarily need. Pop up tent – Just like the table and chairs, you can find a collapsible pop up tent at a sporting goods store. You may need to fold down one side of your backseat to fit it in your trunk, but that’s a small trade-off for all day relief from the South Louisiana sun. TV – If you want to watch the games before or after your game, a flat screen TV should fit easily on top of some other tailgating materials in your trunk. If you are bringing a TV, you will need power. This doesn’t always mean you need a generator. To save space, you can bring a power inverter and plug it into the cigarette lighter in the car. *** If you do this, know that your TV will be running on your car’s battery. You may need to start your car and let it run from time to time to make sure the battery stays charged. Games – We highly recommend bringing a game or two out to your tailgate site. Cornhole is one of the more popular tailgate games lately; and yes, it is available in a portable kit. Infotainment System – Before you pack any speakers or music system to bring tailgating, remember you’ve got your Volkswagen Infotainment System you can plug into for your music.

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.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “timing is everything.” That phrase applies to almost every aspect of life up to and including, buying a new car. Every August, you see advertisements for model year-end closeout sales, and you may wonder if they’re actually worthwhile or not. Is the end of the model year the best time to get the best deal on a new car? Rather than have us tell you that our sale is, in fact, worthwhile; we thought it would be a good idea to see what some online experts had to say about the value that car buyers can find through a model year-end closeout sale. more Autotrader - " Another smart time to buy a new car is late summer or early fall, when new-model-year vehicles are rolling into dealers' inventories." United Services Automobile Association (USAA) – “ Shop for last year's models when the new ones are due or just rolling into the showroom. The dealership wants to sell new cars and will be more willing to make deals on older models to get them off the lot.” Edmunds - “ As the new cars begin to arrive, last year's model loses its luster and also its high price. There are some surprising discounts and often a lot of customer cash rebates. Be sure to check Edmunds.com's Incentives & Rebates for customer cash rebates, low interest incentives and dealer cash.” Huffington Post – “ When new vehicle models come out, dealers are eager to get in with the new and out with the old. So it pays to watch the life cycle of your desired vehicle and pull the trigger to buy right before the next best thing comes out. 'End-of-model-years (leftovers) get the best discounts, as the dealer is paying to inventory these units, and they need to free up space and cash for incoming, newer models,' said Albert L. Engel, executive vice president and chief retail lending officer for Valley National Bank.” Marketwatch - " The time around Labor Day seems to be the sweet spot for bargain hunters, as new models jostle for space on dealers’ lots with the outgoing ones. Most car makers have rolled out next year’s models by early September. Dealers may be looking to clear out current-year models, making them more willing to work out a deal on their older inventory simply because they need the space." As for our Model year-end closeout sale, Southpoint Volkswagen is offering 0% APR, with down payment on new, unused 2016 Jetta, Passat, Golf SportWagen and Tiguan models financed by Volkswagen Credit through August 31 st. We are also offering a Volkswagen Prepaid Visa® Reward Card offer good on purchase or lease of a new, unused 2016 Jetta, Passat, Golf SportWagen and Tiguan models.

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.