Top Tips for Getting the Most Out of Taking Your new Volkswagen on a Test Drive

How Volkswagen Electric Vehicles and Fuel-Efficient Sedans and SUVs Are Changing the Game In the automobile world, there’s a difference between purchase price and cost of ownership. Purchase price is the final dollar amount on your auto loan agreement or bill of sale. Cost of ownership is the umbrella term used to describe any expenses related to the vehicle - present and future. That includes gas, insurance premiums, repairs, loan interest, and so forth. To get a more accurate view of how much vehicle ownership will cost, savvy car buyers are looking past the MSRP and considering the years ahead. It’s the main reason reliable cars are always in high demand, which is where the Volkswagen lineup of vehicles really shines. The following breaks down the top three Volkswagen vehicles that provide drivers with the lowest cost of ownership. 2023 Volkswagen Electric Vehicles and Beyond When considering VW electric vehicles, the German automaker has been in the sweet spot thus far in terms of pricing. The starting MSRP for the 2023 VW ID.4 is just $38,995. Even the highest trim level – the ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus – clocks in at a reasonable $55,245. The affordable price point explains why VW has been successful in taking some of the EV market share away from Tesla and other competing brands. However, we need to look past the MSRP to properly evaluate cost of ownership. First, the 2023 VW ID.4 and subsequent Volkswagen electric vehicles will be assembled domestically, which means owners should qualify for a significant tax credit. Second, the ID.4 comes with three years of free unlimited DC fast charging sessions at Electrify America stations. This means you won’t have to pay for gas or charging until 2026. Finally, new ID.4 purchases include scheduled carefree maintenance for the first two years under the Carefree Coverage warranty. If you’re worried about repairs and service beyond the first two years, you can rest easy. Electric vehicles are far easier to maintain than combustion engine vehicles because they use fewer moving parts. If you’re not yet in the market for an all-electric SUV, 2024 will mark the release of the ID. Buzz, followed by the ID.7 in 2025. These ID models are the first all-electric microbus and sedan in the American lineup of VW electric vehicles. Volkswagen Vehicles with the Lowest Cost of Ownership The 2023 Volkswagen Taos and 2023 VW Jetta combine affordability with sleek design, a generous feature package, and long-term reliability. They also lead the pack in terms of lowest cost of ownership. The 2023 VW Jetta has a starting MSRP of just $20,655, which makes it one of the most competitively priced sedans in its class. In the SUV category, the 2023 VW Taos has a starting MSRP of $24,155. Not many new SUVs can be found for under $25k, which is part of the reason the Taos has been such a hot seller thus far. Another win for both vehicles is fuel economy. The light curb weight and efficient engines of the Jetta and Taos enable them to outperform their main competitors in the sedan and SUV categories. Drivers will get an estimated 29 miles per gallon in the city and 42 on the highway with the 2023 VW Jetta. The 2023 VW Taos provides an estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Further, the Jetta and the Taos are both exceptionally easy to maintain, which drives down cost of ownership from a service and repairs perspective. As noted earlier with VW electric vehicles, Volkswagen vehicles with a combustion engine also have maintenance included under the Carefree Coverage warranty. On a related note, Motor1 reports that the average VW owner will spend $676 per year or less on maintenance. Another thing that works in favor of VW vehicles in terms of cost of ownership is their resale value. According to Car Edge, Volkswagen leads all other auto manufacturers with a 5-year resale value of 85.53%. This means that Volkswagen vehicles are not only among the most competitively priced vehicles, but they also yield the biggest return on the secondary market. Check Out VW Electric Vehicles and More at Volkswagen Lee’s Summit Clearly, Volkswagen vehicles have a lot to offer to budget-conscious drivers who don’t want to be saddled with unexpected repairs or poor fuel economy. Low cost of ownership is a big reason why drivers switch over to Volkswagen vehicles in the first place. The VW brand has rightfully earned the reputation for creating sleek, future-forward vehicles meant to suit any budget and family dynamic. To check out the 2023 Taos, Jetta, or ID.4 in person for a test drive, the best thing to do is visit us at the VW Lee’s Summit dealership. We’ll be happy to get you behind the wheel of any of these Volkswagen vehicles. For a limited time, well-qualified buyers can secure rates as low as 3.9% APR for 60 months on most new vehicle purchases. Reach out to our financing department today to get preapproved for your auto loan. Visit VW Lee’s Summit today at 2225 NE Independence Ave. Contact us by phone at (816) 841-7252 or email us directly using the contact form on our website.

This Article Will Make You Think Twice About Using Premium Fuel The price of fuel remains a lingering pain point for many American families. According to AAA, the average price per gallon on regular gasoline in Missouri was $3.21 at the end of May 2023. Granted, this is a considerable improvement from the $4.17 per gallon prices we were paying a year ago; however, drivers are more mindful than ever about the cost of fuel and fuel economy. Are there any best practices that can be employed to extend gas mileage? Which vehicles offer the best fuel economy? Does premium fuel offer any performance benefits over regular unleaded? Savvy consumers are looking for any advantage that will either reduce their gas expenses or boost their fuel economy. Before we dive into that, let’s first dispel a myth about premium fuel and how it relates to Volkswagen vehicles. The Difference Between Regular and Premium Gasoline Adding the word “premium” to anything tends to elevate the product in the minds of consumers. When you think of premium fuel, you probably get the impression it has some performance-enhancing effect on your vehicle that regular fuel does not. However, that’s not necessarily the case. The main difference between regular fuel and premium fuel is that they have different octane levels. Premium fuel has an octane level of 91; regular has an octane level of 87. So, what exactly do drivers get by paying a little extra for premium? It's reported that premium fuel is more balanced and more resistant to engine knocking and spontaneous combustion. Additionally, some varieties of premium fuel are advertised to have anti-corrosive elements that keep the engine clean and mitigate carbon buildup. At face value, this sounds great, but don’t make the switch over to premium fuel just yet. Can Any Vehicle Have Premium Fuel? What Are the Benefits? Here’s where things get interesting. The advertised benefits of premium fuel have convinced some drivers to use it instead of regular. One myth is that premium fuel equates to better mileage – not true. Premium fuel won't degrade the performance of your vehicle, but it won't enhance it either. Basically, you’d be overpaying for gas for nothing. Premium gasoline should only be used with vehicles that require it, such as those with turbochargers or high-compression engines. Not using premium fuel for vehicles that require it will eventually lead to a degradation of performance. Drivers will notice a lag when trying to accelerate and a slight reduction in fuel economy. If the incorrect fuel type is used for a prolonged period, it may result in engine knocking or other mechanical issues. Bottom line: stick with the fuel that the manufacturer of your vehicle recommends. The VW brand has always prioritized cost of ownership, which is why most Volkswagen vehicles are built to run on regular unleaded. A More In-Depth Look at Gas Mileage for Volkswagen Vehicles One huge benefit that has always remained consistent with the VW lineup of vehicles is the great fuel economy they provide drivers. Even the Volkswagen SUV models know how to stretch a buck at the pumps. The following breaks down the fuel economy statistics for each current model year VW vehicle. Volkswagen Jetta gas mileage – up to 31 city/41 highway Volkswagen Golf R gas mileage – up to 23 city/30 highway Volkswagen Golf GTI gas mileage – up to 24 city/34 highway Volkswagen Arteon gas mileage – up to 25 city/33 highway Volkswagen Taos gas mileage – up to 28 city/36 highway Volkswagen Tiguan gas mileage – up to 23 city/30 highway Volkswagen Atlas gas mileage – up to 21 city/25 highway Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport gas mileage – up to 21 city/25 highway Each of these vehicles runs on regular unleaded gasoline; however, there are certain members of the VW automotive family that require premium fuel to run at optimal levels. For example, the 2020 VW Jetta and 2021 VW Tiguan are both offered with turbocharged engines, meaning premium gas is essential for their performance. Drivers who wish to remove themselves from the gasoline dilemma altogether may want to consider the 2023 VW ID.4. It is the lone electric option in the stable of Volkswagen SUV models, providing drivers up to 275 miles on a single charge in the Pro model. Additionally, the new ID.4 comes with three years of free unlimited DC fast charging sessions at Electrify America stations. Where to Get More Info About Eco-Friendly Volkswagen Vehicles Drivers who are curious about what the VW brand has planned for their electric vehicle lineup should check out our preview of the 2025 VW ID.7 and our article about the automaker’s path to sustainability. Volkswagen also has an all-electric travel concept car in the works that aims to replace short-haul flights. For additional questions about the VW ID.4 or Volkswagen vehicles that use a combustion engine, contact your local VW dealership.

Deciding Between the Brand-New VW Taos and VW Jetta Graduation is a big step. It means your child will soon embark upon a new journey as they enter the workforce, and what better way to kick off a career than with a new vehicle? Think of it like a cherry on top for a job well done, and Volkswagen has numerous vehicles that will perfectly pass along the sentiment. Of course, when selecting a vehicle, parents should keep a few key items top of mind. First, the vehicle should offer a manageable cost of ownership. It should also be slick, stylish, and loaded with the latest in safety features and infotainment. Finally, the vehicle should fall in line with their particular driving style and meet their storage needs. Keeping that in mind, the new 2023 Volkswagen Jetta for sale and the 2023 VW Taos are among two of the vehicles that are a great fit for college grads. After directly comparing the two, we'll provide some useful information on where to find these vehicles and how to test drive them at your local VW dealership. VW Jetta vs. VW Taos – Main Specs and Pricing When comparing the Jetta to the Taos, first, it’s important to know the Jetta is a sedan while the Taos is a subcompact SUV. If your graduate has an extreme preference for one or the other, that will save you a lot of time right there. The VW Jetta offers 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space while the VW Taos has a max storage capacity of 60.2 cubic feet. The great thing about both vehicles is they provide low cost of ownership in several ways. The base trim level of the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta for sale has a starting MSRP of $20,665. By comparison, the VW Taos has a starting MSRP of $24,155. Both vehicles also do well in the fuel economy department. The VW Taos gets an estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. However, the VW Jetta performs slightly better, yielding 29 miles per gallon in the city and 42 miles per gallon on the highway. In terms of performance, the VW Taos and Jetta are similar in that regard as well. Both vehicles provide drivers with 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The main difference is the Volkswagen Jetta for sale comes with a four-cylinder 1.5L Turbo 6-speed manual transmission while the Taos comes with a 1.5T TSI 8-speed automatic. Of course, the engine on the VW Jetta can be changed to an automatic for slight price increase. Features, Warranty Info, and Accolades No matter which vehicle you decide to get your grad, the VW Jetta and the VW Taos both come with a generous standard offering of features. Included in the feature package is the IQ.DRIVE suite of driver assistance features and the most current technology and infotainment that VW offers, such as Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro and App-Connect. Safety is priority number one with VW, and the Taos and Jetta both provide a hands-free smartphone experience. The other commonality between the VW Jetta and the VW Taos is they both come with one of America's leading vehicle warranties – Carefree Coverage. This suite of coverages ensures your grad’s new VW stays in tip-top condition, and includes scheduled carefree maintenance, roadside assistance, and a new vehicle limited warranty. Check out the full breakdown on Carefree Coverage for details. In terms of accolades, the VW Jetta and VW Taos have both received a warm reception by drivers and reviewers alike. The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta for sale is a Consumer Reports recommended vehicle, scoring high in the areas of fuel economy, usability, transmission, braking, ride quality, and overall quality. The 2023 VW Taos was named “Best City SUV” in Parents® 2022 Best Family Cars shopping guide. How to Arrange a Test Drive and Learn More Finding a Volkswagen Taos near you or a Jetta to test drive is incredibly easy. All you need to do is reach out to your local Volkswagen dealership – VW Lee’s Summit. Conveniently located at 2225 NE Independence Ave. in Lee's Summit, we carry a large selection of the VW Taos and VW Jetta in several different trim levels and colors. You and your college graduate are free to test drive both vehicles so you can get a true side-by-side comparison. If you're not quite in the market for a new car, how about a used car instead? As the leading Volkswagen dealer in the Kansas City area, we carry a wide variety of used car and certified preowned vehicles that have undergone a 100+ point inspection. Don't forget to check out our specials for more great deals on VW products and services, such as our $500 discount for college graduates. For questions or to set an appointment, reach out to us by phone at (816) 841-7253 or by email using the contact form on our website.