Fifty years ago, Volkswagen introduced a new kind of sporty automobile – the Golf GTI. This “hot hatch” merged performance and enthusiastic driving with practicality. It is a formula that broke the mold for compact-sized automobiles ever since. A few years later, Honda introduced a sporty coupe called the Prelude. It showed that Honda could make a premium-feeling two-door automobile, while still delivering the value and efficiency the automaker staked its name on. Recently, these two nameplates squared off in a comparison orchestrated by MotorTrend. After a decades-long hiatus, Honda reintroduced the Prelude to its lineup, this time as a hybrid hatchback sport coupe. Meanwhile, the 2026 Golf GTI sticks to its time-tested formula of a practical hatchback offering turbocharged power, a refined chassis, and practical seating for up to five passengers and their cargo. So, how does the 2026 Golf GTI stack up against the 2026 Prelude? There are two areas where the 2026 Golf GTI stands out. One, it is the turbocharged engine that lies underneath the hood. The iconic EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine puts down 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It is connected to a seven-speed DSG gearbox driving the front wheels. The GTI-spec driveline is not only more powerful than the hybrid system in the Prelude, but MotorTrend found it much more engaging. When it comes to straight-line performance, editors found that the 2026 Golf GTI beats the Prelude with a 5.8 second sprint from 0-to-60 MPH, as well as a quarter mile time of 14.3 seconds at 98.9 MPH. The Volkswagen held its own in braking and lateral acceleration tests, as well. In all, they found that the 2026 Golf GTI is easier to set up on these instrumented tests. Another advantage of the 2026 Golf GTI is its practicality, especially compared to the Prelude. Compared to the 2+2 seating arrangement inside the two-door Honda, the four-door Volkswagen can seat up to five, thanks to a much more accessible rear seat. Cargo space is larger in the 2026 Golf GTI with 19.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 34,5 cubic feet overall. Perhaps it's unsurprising, then, that MotorTrend picked the 2026 Golf GTI as its overall winner. After all, it is MotorTrend's reigning Car of The Year award winner. Editors cited not only the overall performance, handling, and practicality – they added that it “fun to drive at any speed.” The 2026 Golf GTI is a winning combination that needs to be experienced. Contact us at Sisbarro Volkswagen to see one soon!

The 2027 model year is almost here. Along with a full lineup of SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks, Volkswagen is also introducing two new models and reintroducing our electric microbus to the North American market. The first new vehicle coming our way is the 2027 Atlas. The completely redesigned three-row SUV is now bolder than ever. Atlas now exudes a premium feel both inside and out, thanks to a new front fascia design, upgraded interior materials, redesigned controls, and a host of great convenience, technology, and new driver assistance features. All Atlas levels are equipped with a power liftgate, rear sunshades, an auto-dimming driver's side mirror, hatch lights, and front and rear Park Distance Control as standard equipment. The IQ.DRIVE suite of driver assistance features will receive enhancements, including a predictive Adaptive Cruise Control. Under the hood is an updated 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, now rated at 282 horsepower. Fuel economy and tow ratings have yet to be finalized, but we should expect to see improvements in the former while retaining a maximum tow rating near 5,000 pounds. The new three-row 2027 Atlas will be joined by a new 2027 Atlas Cross Sport. The new two-row model will reach our showrooms slightly after its larger sibling. Details will be announced later this summer or early fall. The ID.Buzz electric bus returns for the 2027 model year, with a new Tourer model following in the footsteps of its camper van forebears. The Tourer model includes a fold-out mattress with a retractable platform, window blinds, and a table and chairs for use outdoors. To make your sleep more comfortable, a new Overnight Mode allows the ID.Buzz to recognize and accommodate passengers overnight. Every 2027 ID.Buzz also gains tactile controls on the steering wheel, enhancements to the infotainment system, and a series of premium connected services available through the In-Vehicle Premium Subscription service. These services include a simplified voice command system, myQ Connected Garage, an enhanced Travel Assist feature with more capabilities, and a gaming-based AirConsole that connects with other passengers inside the ID.Buzz. Starting with the 2027 model year, the ID.Buzz can be recharged through a North American Charging Standard (NACS) receptacle. As for the remainder of the 2027 Volkswagen lineup, there will be minor updates. The 2027 Taos will gain a Sport trim, while infotainment systems will get further enhancements across the board. The ID.4 will take a hiatus for 2027, but customers can still shop any remaining 2026 inventory until a new ID.4 is expected to arrive later this decade. Select 2027 Volkswagen models will start to arrive at Sisbarro Volkswagen starting this month. To get up to date on the latest models, contact us, and we can keep you informed on what’s available for the new model year. We still have plenty of 2026 model year vehicles available for immediate delivery as well.

If your family likes to stay active outdoors – whether you're hiking, biking, camping, or exploring New Mexico's natural splendor in some other way – shouldn't your vehicle reflect your lifestyle? Is it even possible to have a vehicle that blends sporting capability with the creature comforts we expect in a daily drive. The answer is absolutely – at least when the answer is the new 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition. The Peak Edition is exactly the kind of 2026 Atlas we want for our New Mexico lifestyle. Peak Edition revisions begin outside, where it gains a unique grille, wheel arch protection, and exterior badging to help it stand out from the rest of the Atlas lineup. Peak Edition models also gain unique 18-inch dark-finished alloy wheels, which are wrapped in all-terrain tires for added traction and composure when venturing off the beaten path. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which delivers 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which routes power to all four wheels through the 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system. Atlas Peak Edition is also rated to tow up to 5,000 pound. Here’s something to think about when looking at the 2026 Atlas Peak Edition. If you desire to take on a dirt or gravel road, press the Mode button on the lower center stack and press the Off-Road icon on the touchscreen, effectively locking the 4MOTION system and optimizing traction at all four corners. Drivers and passengers alike will love stepping inside the Atlas Peak Edition. All four doors open wide, making entry and egress easy – and that includes passengers heading for the third row of seats, thanks to a lever-type slide-away feature on both the driver and passenger side. All three rows of seats – including either a second-row bench or captains chairs – are trimmed in unique two-tone V-Tex upholstery, and there are plenty of cupholders and USB-C charging ports throughout the interior to satiate passengers. Atlas Peak Edition provides the driver with an advanced Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, which is still configured in a dual-dial format in a nod to Volkswagens of the past. The steering wheel also incorporates tactile buttons for cruise control, instrumentation, and audio controls, making it easy to adjust various settings without taking hands off the wheel. If you like information and entertainment, it is all there in the12.0-inch center touchscreen. The system offers a variety of options for audio playback and connectivity, and includes App-Connect functionality, including the ability to mirror your iPhone or Android device on the infotainment screen. But what good is an active lifestyle vehicle if there isn't any room for your active lifestyle gear? Fear not; Atlas Peak Edition provides plenty of cargo space, even with all three rows of seats in use. With all three rows upright, Atlas provides 20.6 cubic feet of space, but that grows to 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and jumps again to 96.8 cubic feet with both rows folded flat. The 2026 Atlas Peak Edition is the family SUV made for New Mexico. If it sounds like it's also made for you, contact us at Sisbarro Volkswagen and check one out soon!