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.
MotorTrend Compares the 2026 Volkswagen Golf GTI to the Honda Prelude
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!