Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R: MotorTrend Car of the Year​

When you’re shopping in an incredibly popular (and crowded) vehicle segment, it might seem difficult to find the perfect fit for your next new-car purchase. Comparing features across several brands, models, and multiple trim levels may be an intimidating task. Fortunately, professional editors and evaluators at automotive publications regularly sample new cars and trucks to help educate shoppers. Recently, Cars.com compared eight different compact SUVs priced under $45,000 together and declared a champion: the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo. This top-of-the-line Tiguan is truly ahead of the class, and the editors at Cars.com apparently agreed. Powered by a high-output 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower, it was the most powerful SUV in the group. The performance alone certainly excited the enthusiasts watching this comparison. But the 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo is more than just what’s underneath the hood: it’s also what you find beneath the surface, especially within its stylish, spacious cabin. Cars. com editors described the Tiguan interior as boasting “premium amenities” and “upscale quality” - characteristics that invite, if not implore you to spend more time behind the wheel.  The dashboard is well-organized and neatly designed, and includes both a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, along with a large 15-inch center touchscreen display. The multi-function knob on the center console controls more than just the volume on the audio system. It also acts as a drive mode selector, as well as the controller for the Atmospheres feature, which can help change the mood inside your 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo with the right ambient accent color. These are among some of the things Cars.com pointed out in their evaluation of the 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo. They also cited its “great comfort,” which includes features such as massaging seats that ease the tension of longer drives. The elevated quilted two-tone leather upholstery delivers a new level of luxury for our popular SUV. Plus, they found the cabin to be quiet. It also welcomes child seats inside with no problem. Overall, the Cars.com judges were impressed with the 2026 Tiguan SEL R-Line Turbo. They said that the “overall victory is a result of its impressive combination of upscale quality and amenities, passenger space and driving performance — coupled with no losses in any of our scoring categories. It is, without question, the nicest vehicle here for the money.” Cars.com finds the 2026 Tiguan a compelling crossover, and we think you’ll agree once you see it – or, better yet – drive it for yourself. Contact us at Sisbarro Volkswagen to see for yourself why it won the Cars.com Compact SUV Challenge.

The Sisbarro dealerships are celebrating a milestone anniversary—45 years serving the automotive needs of Las Cruces, Deming, and the communities of southern New Mexico. “It’s hard for me to believe, but for nearly half a century, Sisbarro has been more than just a place to buy a car; we’ve become a trusted partner for families, businesses, and drivers across southern New Mexico,” said Lou Sisbarro, President of the Sisbarro dealerships. Founded in 1981, Sisbarro Buick-Pontiac-GMC quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the Las Cruces automotive market. Over the years, the organization has grown to include Sisbarro Volkswagen (1985), Sisbarro Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram (1995), Sisbarro Truck Store, Sisbarro OnSale Tires, and CreditCars. “As southern New Mexico’s only locally owned and operated dealership group, we have a responsibility to give back,” Sisbarro said. “And today, with well over 125,000 vehicles sold, one of my proudest achievements is our 45-year connection to the community.  The dealerships have consistently supported local events, charities, and organizations, helping strengthen the fabric of Las Cruces and Deming. Whether it’s sponsoring youth programs, participating in community fundraisers, or simply providing reliable transportation options, Sisbarro has made a lasting impact beyond the showroom floor.” “A milestone like this wouldn’t be possible without our family of loyal customers and dedicated employees,” Sisbarro continued. “Most of my management team have been with the dealerships for decades, bringing experience, consistency, and a personal touch to every sales and service customer.” While Sisbarro reflects on its history, he is proud of his organization’s designation as the top volume car dealer south of Albuquerque and between Tucson, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas. “Being number one doesn’t happen by accident.  We take care of our customers, and that’s why we have been successful,” Sisbarro added. With rising costs everywhere from the grocery store to the dealership showroom, Sisbarro remains committed to affordability and value—things that have always mattered to the communities it serves. Whether customers are searching for a dependable used vehicle, exploring new models, or taking advantage of service specials, Sisbarro continues to prioritize options that fit a wide range of budgets. As Sisbarro celebrates 45 years, it’s not just about looking back—it’s about moving forward with the same dedication that started it all. A brand-new showroom at Sisbarro Volkswagen will open in late 2026. With strong community ties, a focus on customer satisfaction, and an eye on the future, Sisbarro is well-positioned for many more years of success.

For their day, the original Volkswagen Beetles didn’t have a poor safety record, but Volkswagen is not likely to put the gas tank in front of the cabin again. And the original Type 2 Bus? Well, it didn’t exactly have a front crumple zone, did it? But that was a very different time for the industry. Today, Sisbarro Volkswagen wants you to know that every current model comes with many safety features to help you avoid a collision in the first place and to better survive one after the fact. As Volkswagen says on its site regarding safety, a lot goes into a VW before you do.  Volkswagen may not tout its safety features in all its advertising, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.  Every model includes a version of IQ.Drive, an array of safety and driver assistance technologies. To start, every model has a front sonar system. It can detect not only vehicles but also pedestrians, cyclists, and objects in front of you. It is the key sensor for the Front Assist Systems (Forward Collision Warning & Autonomous Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian Monitoring). It is also key to the very useful Adaptive Cruise control, which lets you use the convenience of cruise control not just on the open highway but also on city highways with moderate traffic, where you can easily keep pace while automatically maintaining a proper distance. There is also a forward-facing camera, a key component of the Lane Assist feature. Lane Assist monitors lane markings on both sides and gently steers the vehicle back into the lane if it drifts outside the lane with no signal engaged. You are expected to keep your hands on the wheel, but it can be particularly useful for those brief moments when you take a drink or briefly turn your attention away from the road. Volkswagen tries to keep blind spots to a minimum, but recognizes that some areas may still be obscured at a glance. The Blind Spot Monitor alerts you to vehicles in your blind spots with a light on the inside housing of either side mirror. Using the same sensors, Rear Traffic Avoidance is particularly useful in a parking lot with large adjacent vehicles blocking your view. It will give you visual and audio alerts if a vehicle is approaching from either side while Reverse is engaged. There are stability-enhancing systems, such as Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), which help maintain appropriate stopping power during hard braking. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) can adjust engine throttle and apply corrective forces to the wheels that need them most. All Volkswagen vehicles are equipped with a total of six stability-enhancing systems. A modern VW is likely to look awful after a moderate to severe front or rear collision. That is a good thing, as the front and rear of the vehicle are designed with crumple zones that will do just that: crumple to absorb energy and help distribute forces away from the very rigid laser-welded cabin structure. They may look awful, but a closer look may reveal an intact cabin with doors that still open properly. After a collision, the vehicle may still be moving, and the driver may be too dazed to react immediately. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System can help slow the vehicle further after an impact, reducing the risk of additional collisions. In most collisions, the Intelligent Crash Response System will automatically turn off the fuel pump (on gas-powered models), turn on the interior lights, unlock the doors, and activate the hazard lights. Of course, there are a few items you expect because they are required, such as front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, and side curtain airbags to protect the heads of both front and rear occupants in a side collision. ABS keeps the tires from locking up and losing traction. Also found on every model is the rear-view camera system, which displays what is behind you on the center screen the moment Reverse is engaged. When you are visiting Sisbarro Volkswagen and looking at new models, your attention will likely be on the feel of the seats, the feel of the controls, and, on a test drive, all of the European-derived vehicle dynamics. It is hard to test the safety features, and we would rather you not, but just know that they are always there.