The name “Volkswagen” means “the people’s car.” The car of the “Volk” or ‘folk’ as we might more commonly know them is already the world’s largest car manufacturer and carries a number of well-known other brands under its massive automotive umbrella. Whichever of their huge range of brands you look at, many continue to opt for the original VW name. Why is that?
VW is the Future
Among the top buyers of new VW cars, of course, are millennial buyers. We often think that millennials shun car ownership, but in fact there’s a great slice of millennials born in the 1980s who still aspire to own quality machines, and VWs are right up their alley as they cruise through their 30s and towards 40. In today’s piece, we’re exploring what exactly makes VW the best choice for so many, especially the younger buyer.
Universal Design Appeal
There’s no denying that VW cars carry tremendous appeal in their simple, elegant design. They refrain from controversial shapes, overly angular or curved lines, wild color schemes and other features that some brands embrace in the name of “individual identity.” VW cars are clean and bold, carrying an air of authority and prestige at every level. Their lines are hard to resist and impossible not to notice, while maintaining a subtle charm that just about any kind of taste can regard with a pleased eye.
Another uncanny thing that VW achieves in their cars is the ability to make all their newest models look contemporary and cutting-edge, while simultaneously maintaining a kind of “classic” sense of tradition and older-world charm. This explains the appeal across differing age demographics. The young like the spark of modernity, while older drivers fall for what they see as familiar and dependable.
Decent Reliability
The truth is that VW doesn’t top the chart in reliability, but it’s very far from the bottom, too. When you combine that with overall affordability (see more below), you start to see why so many people love these cars. RepairPal rates VW at 3.5 out of 5.0, easily within the top segment of the major brands out there. They’re neither expensive to purchase nor run, nor repair.
Affordability
Older millennials are an increasingly wealthy generation, but they still like a bargain as they continue to face rising living costs in their urbanized lifestyle, especially when it comes to accommodation. VW cars feature a number of models where the starting price falls under $20,000, while still offering an impressive array of features. That sum of $20,000, for instance, will get you a rather fetching new Jetta in 2021, which you can upgrade to the top trim level and still remain under $30,000. It’s rare in most brands with this much appeal and reputation to be able to get so much within that price bracket.
Fun Driving
From the VW Golf GTI, to the Jetta and Passat sedans, and to the Atlas and Cross Sport SUV models, and now to electric models like the ID.3 and the ID.4 — the VW range has it all. What’s more, despite the huge range of sizes and styles, all of these cars in the eclectic VW range have one thing in common: they’re enormous fun to drive.
Younger drivers don’t just focus on reliability any more. Sure, they don’t want a car that will break down every 100 miles — no danger there when it comes to the high-quality German engineering of the VW range — but they are much more interested in the overall driving experience that the car gives to them. Volkswagen cars are dynamic, agile, boosted by powerful engine technology and sporty suspension. There are also great drive features, ADAS capabilities and more than make driving both safe and enjoyable. This brings us neatly to the next area.
Safety
Besides being reliable, it’s hard to fault the VW brand on its ability to create safe cars for individuals and families. Younger drivers may crave adventure and want to use their VW to venture into the great outdoors of Canada, but they will never overlook the importance of safety. The impressive number of standard features has consistently helped VW stay atop the safety leaderboards among other car brands.
Typical standard safety features in a VW car would include adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, tire pressure monitoring systems, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear traffic alerts and many more.
The Young Come in Droves
With around 50,000 units sold in Canada during the tumultuous year of 2020, VW is a strong brand that also operates a number of other marques that Canadians also love, including Audi and Porsche. It’s a dynamic, ambitious brand that appeals through its prowess in design, as well as its assurance of great quality and driving experience. There’s no doubt they will continue to appeal to new generations of drivers as they come up.