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In the National Football League, the best players every season are named to the Pro Bowl and the very best player of the season is named the MVP. In the automotive world, Motor Trend Magazine also has a way to highlight the best and the best of the best by naming their Car of the Year. The Volkswagen Golf Family has earned that honor for 2015. Described as a “Jackrabbit of all trades,” the 2015 Volkswagen Golf nabs the honor by excelling in the six categories that Motor Trend evaluates to determine their MVP. more The Volkswagen Golf beat out nine other finalists to be named Car of the Year for 2015. The finalists came from all different classes of vehicles. Four luxury vehicles were among the finalists; the Audi A3, the Hyundai Genesis, Maserati Ghibli and the Mercedes Benz C Class. There were three sporty vehicles in the running: the BMW 2 Series, the Ford Mustang, and the Lexus RC F. The Honda Fit was the lone finalist from the economy class. The Kia Sedona was the only minivan in the finals. Here is what Motor Trend had to say about the Golf, broken down by each of the criteria they evaluated: Advancement in Design: “With crisply sculpted bodywork that's nearly an inch lower, two inches longer, and a half-inch wider than its predecessors, the new Golf looks sleeker and sportier than the car it replaces.” Efficiency: “Weight reduction and improved engine efficiency have resulted in fuel economy gains for both the TSI and GTI models.” In regards to the electric version they said, "With several electric vehicles present at this year's COTY event, the e-Golf was lauded for driving and feeling most like a 'normal' car." Engineering Excellence: "No matter which Golf variant we jumped into, we emerged with smiles on our faces. And while each obviously catered to different priorities, they all share the same solid build quality, taut structure, and remarkable ride that make them feel like a premium vehicle in an entry-level segment." Performance of Intended Function: "From eco-friendly tech lovers, to fuel misers, to canyon road carvers, to A-to-B commuters, our four variants excelled in their individual ways while still feeling similar. Better yet, each did this at a price point that belies its premium feel, a major Volkswagen brand goal." Safety: "The optional Driver Assistance Package, which includes a forward-collision warning system, along with ratings of Good in each of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's five crash levels (including the newly standardized small-overlap frontal test), earned it an IIHS Top Safety Pick + rating -- the highest possible." Value: "If a trend toward smaller vehicles has shown anything, it's that buyers want the same tech-laden features, the same build quality, and the same upscale design and feel of their larger cars in their smaller ones. The 2015 Volkswagen Golf is a quality car, a fun car, a grown-up car -- a C-segment vehicle that can instill pride of ownership without breaking the bank. And that's why it's the 2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year." The Golf isn’t the only Volkswagen to receive recent recognition from Motor Trend. In 2012, the Passat was named Car of the Year.

Have you ever been shopping and forgotten where you parked? With the Christmas season fast approaching, I’m sure we’ll see a few people aimlessly walking up and down the aisles of mall parking lots with the lost and helpless look on their face.  We have all been there. Fortunately, we have a little tip for the Volkswagen community that will save you a little time and stress over the holidays. more Volkswagens come with a neat feature called VW Car-Net. VW Car-Net is a mobile app that gives you remote access to your Volkswagen through your phone. You can make sure your doors are locked, make sure your trunk and sunroof are closed, and if you have a convertible, make sure the top is up. You can also trigger an alert that makes the horn sound and the headlights flash, alerting you to your vehicle’s location. In the app, select “Activate honk and flash.” The lights on the vehicle will flash five times and the horn will sound while the lights are flashing. Pretty neat, right? If you want to be a little less conspicuous about it, select “Activate flashers only” and the lights will flash five times without the horn blowing. This can also be done via your home computer from the “remote vehicle access” page, which you can click on from your Volkswagen homepage. To learn more about these unique features and to prevent additional stress and worry over the holidays, contact our Volkswagen service department.

With the winter approaching, and long range forecasts predicting a repeat of last winter, we have listed the most common problems associated with cars and cold weather.  These problems are avoided with simple preventative maintenance and regular awareness. more Dead Battery: The everyday strain on car batteries has increased over the years. In fact, the American Automotive Association recently rolled back the average life span of the battery from three to five years, down to just three years. On top of that, your vehicle’s battery has to work harder in the winter, because of the increased usage of headlights due to less sunlight. Furthermore, the heater makes your battery work harder than the A/C and this strain typically shortens the life of the battery. Prevention: Get your battery checked anytime you have your car serviced. While being check, ensure that the battery’s connections are optimal as well. A couple of quick ways to ensure an optimal connection is by removing any corrosion and tightening the connections at the terminal. Tire Pressure: For every ten-degree drop in temperature, your tires can lose one PSI of pressure. This drop in pressure causes added wear and tear on the treads, which can make rough winter weather tougher to handle. The 2015 Farmer’s Almanac is predicting our winter to be colder and wetter than average, and this type of weather does not mix well with bald tires. Prevention: As the temperature drops, continually monitor your tire pressure with an accurate tire gauge, and refill when necessary. Just looking at the tires won’t tell you the whole story, as the tire can lose as much as ten PSI before it becomes visible. Your recommended tire pressure is located on a sticker in the driver door jamb. Frozen Wipers: The buzzword for South Louisiana last winter was “wintry mix.” That’s a combination of sleet and rain, and can be more detrimental to your vehicle than snow. When snow falls on your vehicle, it is already frozen. However, icy precipitation has the potential to freeze completely in the overnight hours. This freeze can cause your wipers to stick to the windshield. If this happens, and you attempt to run your wipers, you can burn up the wiper motor, or worse blow a fuse that can lead to other problems. Prevention: If you know it’s going to rain, you can put an old bed sheet over your windshield using the wipers to hold it down. The ice will accumulate on the sheet instead of the windshield and will come right off when you remove it. If rain is not in the forecast, you can use a mix of rubbing alcohol and water to de-ice your windshield. Frozen Windshield Washer Fluid: If you use water in your windshield washer, it can freeze inside the pump. Attempting to use the frozen washer for an extended period of time will burn up the motor of the pump, or worse blow a fuse that can lead to other problems. If winter symptoms are starting to get the best of your Volkswagen, contact the Volkswagen service department in Lafayette at 337-456-8400.

Lafayette is a great place to live and is conveniently nestled in the cultural melting pot of South Louisiana.  With so many unique and wonderful destinations right in our backyard, the desire to pack up the car and check out the sights can be hard to resist.  However, high fuel prices and the suspense of looking at the gas pump when the handle clicks can make you think twice before hitting the open road, or even Main Street. more Thankfully Volkswagen has the answer that will keep you exploring and your call rolling past every gas station between Ambassador Caffery and Disney World.  The new Volkswagen Passat TDI offers the fuel efficiency that your wallet craves with all of the performance that your right foot demands.  With 43 miles per gallon and 795 miles to the tank, you may forget which side of the gas pump to park on.  Even if you only take it out on a Sunday drive, you could travel from Lafayette to the Superdome to see the Saints, and back, three times on one tank of gas. So if you see the gas station attendant more often than you see your friends, or if you’re looking to take a one tank trip to Destin and back, the new Volkswagen Passat TDI can solve both of those.  Stop by Southwest Volkswagen at 6184 Johnston Street in Lafayette.  Or click here to check to out the latest inventory.

We all have our reasons for things.  Why do we like the Tigers?  2 BCS national championships, Mike the Tiger, so on and so forth.  Why do we like crawfish?  This answer may have too many reasons to list.  No matter what decisions you make and the interests you have, there are definitely some reasons you have in mind to help you decide.  Shopping for a car is no different.  While we all have our favorite colors and style preferences, there are countless more factors in play when it comes to picking out that perfect car.  At Southwest Volkswagen in Lafayette we couldn’t agree more.  To help you on your car buying journey, here are 5 reasons to consider a Jetta the next time you’re car shopping in Lafayette. more 1.) Performance:  When you slide into a Volkswagen Jetta, you instantly feel at one with the car.  The great handling, smooth acceleration and responsive feel give you all of the perks of German engineering with a much smaller price tag. 2.) Fun: This is Volkswagen staple in any model.  The culture that comes with owning a Volkswagen is tough to ignore.  From the great styling of the Jetta, to the sophisticated German engineering, to the awesome sound system complete with iPhone and USB connections.  Driving a new Jetta is an experience. 3.) Variety of body types: From the traditional and stylish sedan to the versatile SportWagen you can accommodate family, cargo and guests without sacrificing style or performance.  The different trim levels also offer the best options for your preference.  Whether you opt of the S, SE or step up to the SLE or GLI, the Jetta is designed to offer you all of your driving wants and needs. 4.) Safety: All Jetta models boast the highest governmental safety ratings on front, side and rollover tests.  With front, side and rear airbags, everyone in the vehicle will be protected in an accident. 5.) Efficiency: Whether you opt for the traditional gasoline engine or the TDI diesel engine, you won’t have to worry about gas pumps nearly as often.  With 26mpg in the city and 36mpg on the highway for the gasoline engine; or 30mpg in the city and 42mpg on the highway for the TDI, the environment and your wallet will be happy. So while there are different things that are important to different people for different reasons, the Volkswagen Jetta has something for everyone.  While these are five good reasons to take a look at a Jetta, come discover more for yourself at 6184 Johnston Street in Lafayette.  Find out more at southwestvw.com.

When you make a big decision, it’s always a good idea to make a list and prioritize what is most important to you.  One of the biggest decisions and purchases you can make revolves around a vehicle.  Buying a new car can open up a lot of variables.  While color and what type of license plate frame are all important decisions, there are five key elements to consider when buying a new vehicle.  So when you’re car shopping in Lafayette, keep these in mind: more Performance:  The stop and go traffic on Ambassador Caffery can wreak havoc on your life. Simply getting from one side of Lafayette to the other can take some time.  Having a car that can safely maneuver through the traffic of Lafayette can be a welcomed addition to your life.  When it comes to performance, there are very few vehicles (if any) that can top the German engineering of a Volkswagen. Safety:  Many Lafayette residents commute to work.  Whether you are crossing the Atchafalaya Basin or heading north on I-49, having a reliable and safe car is the single most important ingredient to a successful commute.  All of Volkswagen’s models boast exceptional safety records.  The 2015 VW Jetta GTI received a perfect 10 in the safety category from U.S. News. Economics:  Even as gas prices soar, stopping at the pump doesn’t have to be a painful experience.  Volkswagen has TDI models that get incredible gas mileage without sacrificing performance.  The Passat TDI can get 43 mpg.  That’s 795 miles a tank!  Imagine driving from Lafayette to San Antonio and back without stopping for gas. Reliability: Volkswagen is proud to have more cars on the road with over 100,000 miles than any other brand.  Need we say more? Fun: Getting behind the wheel of a Volkswagen is a statement about your lifestyle.  Not only do you get to enjoy the exhilaration of zipping around Johnston street in comfort and style, but you join a fraternity (or sorority) of avid car owners that consider themselves VW owners for life. We encourage you to put these cars through your own test and find the Volkswagen that fits your style and direction in life.  You can visit us at Southwest Volkswagen, 6184 Johnston St. in Lafayette.  Or, simply click here to find your favorite VW car.

Red beans and rice.  Drew Brees and Jimmy Graham.  Mardi Gras and Beads.  Some things are just meant to be together.  The same can be said for the good people of Lafayette, Louisiana and the exceptional cars of Volkswagen.  So what makes these two groups a perfect couple?  Let’s take a look. more What makes Acadiana so unique?  It all boils down to the passionate culture.  The heart, spirit and loyalty that is personified in the schools, churches, restaurants, businesses and homes throughout Lafayette is not only an endearing quality, it is a way of life.  With passion bubbling over on peewee football fields and little league bleachers on Saturday mornings the same way it does at Cajun Field in the afternoon and for the Saints on Sundays, the people of Lafayette have an incomparable zest for life. The same can be said for the enthusiastic Volkswagen owners that rave about everything from great gas mileage to German engineering to superior safety.  It’s often been said that once a Volkswagen driver, always a Volkswagen driver.  The same way that Lafayette supports a coach, quarterback, team or festival, the VW community rallies around anything Volkswagen. Volkswagen and Lafayette share a lot of things: a flair for life, a loyal nature and a desire for fun.  Fortunately, there is one place on Johnston Street that brings it all together, Southwest Volkswagen.  Come see for yourself what VW owners have raved about for decades.