Sep 6, 2022

hands driving a vehicle during sunset

Planning on Test Driving a VW Car or SUV? Follow This Helpful Checklist

Nothing is more exciting than test driving a brand-new VW car or SUV. In fact, it can be so exciting that it can be easy to overlook a lot of items that are important to you in the heat of the moment. The last thing that we want is for you to leave our dealership having forgotten to ask about trim level, feature packages, or other items regarding the new Volkswagen for sale you have your eye on.

To help you get the most out of your visit to our new car dealership here at VW Clear Lake, we’ve come up with a checklist of best practices to use when shopping for Volkswagen cars. The next time that you’re shopping for new cars for sale in Houston, you will be totally prepared.

#1 – Make Your List of “Must-Have” Items

Everybody has slightly different priorities when it comes to shopping for new cars. For instance, some people have especially long commutes to work, and so fuel economy ranks at the top of the list. Other folks may have a huge family they need a cart around, and so seating and storage capacity are king in their book.

When considering a new Volkswagen for sale, think about those one or two “must-have” items that have to be included with the vehicle. Not only does this help narrow down the selection, but it also saves time because our sales associates won’t show you anything that doesn’t meet your needs.

#2 – Test Drive the Car Like You Already Own It

Just because you’re test driving a vehicle doesn’t mean you have to scale back on your driving style like it’s a driver’s ed exam. Drive the vehicle how you would normally drive it. If you would normally get a good amount of acceleration for a highway merge – do it. If you want to test the integrity of the brakes with a hard stop – by all means – give it a go (but do it safely, of course).

Getting the most out of your test drive means driving the vehicle like you already own it. Test out the acceleration and deceleration. Take the vehicle through a few challenging turns. Get a feel for the suspension and handling. If there’s a possibility that you’re going to put down hard earned money on a vehicle purchase, don’t be afraid to take it through the paces.

#3 – Get to Know All the Features

Test drivers of new VW cars can get so wrapped up in the driving and handling of the vehicle that they sometimes forget about one of the most fun aspects – the features. Volkswagen cars have long been a leader in providing the most advanced safety, convenience, and infotainment features. Some of our top features include:

  • Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Backup Camera
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Hands-Free Liftgate
  • Heated Seats and Steering Wheel
  • Future-Forward Interior Accents
  • Keyless Entry
  • Advanced Navigation System
  • Rain-Sensing Wipers

Even standard Volkswagen cars come generously loaded with features. Need a walkthrough? Just ask your VW sales associate to hit all the highlights.

#4 – Ask About the Warranty

Don’t let all the excitement of driving a new Volkswagen for sale make you lose sight of one very important detail – the warranty. If you’re planning on buying a new VW car, you’ll want to be sure that it’s covered for things like accidents and routine maintenance. Fortunately, Volkswagen has one of the automotive industry’s leading warranties – Carefree Coverage. It breaks down as follows:

  • 2 yrs. Service – Scheduled Carefree Maintenance (2 years or 20,000 miles)
  • 3 yrs. Help – Roadside Assistance (3 years or 36,000 miles)
  • 4 yrs. Coverage – New Vehicle Limited Warranty (4 years or 50,000 miles)
  • 5 yrs. Access – myVW Remote Access

When you visit the service center for maintenance or repairs on your VW car, Carefree Coverage will appear in your records, making the process simple and easy. It’s also worth mentioning that this coverage comes included on every model of new Volkswagens for sale.

Let’s Get You Behind the Wheel of VW Car or SUV

Now that you know how to get the most out of your Volkswagen driving appointment, the next step is to visit our new car dealership here at VW Clear Lake. As the leader of new cars for sale in Houston, we carry a wide variety of sedans, compacts, and SUVs made to suit any driving style and family dynamic.

Ready to finally go electric? We have the award-winning VW ID.4.

Need to maximize your cargo space? Check out the supersized VW Atlas.

Need a VW car with some serious zip? You’ll love the VW Golf GTI.

VW Clear Lake is conveniently located at 15100 Gulf Fwy in Houston. Feel free to stop by for a test drive of any of our amazing VW cars and SUVs. You can also contact us at (832) 432-7969 or email us directly using the contact form on our website.

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