The True Story Behind the Volkswagen Santana, Lavida, and Lamando

Europeans love hatchbacks like the Golf, which has spent over four decades at the top of the sales charts. Yet, in contrast, the world market is still dominated by compact sedans. In Volkswagen’s case, they account for almost one third of global sales with 1.6 million sold in China alone.

Understanding that Asian tastes differ from European ones, Volkswagen says they can’t simply to do a “cut-and-paste” method—selling just one vehicle to a global audience. Flexing their design and engineering expertise, they’ve taken the liberty to create cars which are tailor-made to Asian tastes and sensibilities.

Through the joint venture with SAIC for example, Volkswagen has managed to localize their products for the Chinese market, similar to how Honda or Toyota has done to gain a strong presence in Southeast Asia. At a glance, here are the three products that helped them grow in the world’s largest single market:

Volkswagen Santana

This successful Chinese model also has nothing in common with the angular original Santana, which was based on the second-generation Passat—a familiar sight in 1980s Germany. While it hasn’t been available in Germany since 1985, its production continued in China. Since 2013, it’s moved to a completely independent design developed specifically for the Chinese market. Powered by a 90-horsepower 1.4-liter MPI engine with the 5-speed manual or a 110-horsepower 1.5-liter BlueMotion with the 6-speed automatic, some 245,000 units were sold in China last year alone.

Volkswagen Lavida

Another model that’s available only in China, it has been specially developed to cater for the preferences and requirements of customers in the Asian market. It packs a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 130 horsepower married to a 6-speed dual clutch automatic for the Philippine market. It may not be a household name locally, but it’s the most successful nameplate of all manufacturers in China, selling 491,000 examples in 2019 alone; putting that into perspective, that’s roughly two percent of the entire Chinese automotive market.

Volkswagen Lamando

Produced by SAIC-Volkswagen as a “four-door coupe,” the Lamando rides on the automaker’s latest MQB platform. Designed to look planted and “flat,” it comes with a 150-horsepower 1.4-liter TSI engine mated to a Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) in the Philippines. Because it shares its platform with the Golf GTI, a sportier GTS version is available in China, packing the same 220-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI engine. More than 101,000 units of the Lamando were delivered in 2019.

The Volkswagen Group produces vehicles for the Chinese market together with two joint ventures in China—one with SAIC, and the other with FAW. Together with their youth-oriented Jetta brand, they delivered 3.16 million vehicles in total last year making them the best-selling brand in the most competitive car market in the world.

It’s easy to complain that the Santana, Lavida, and Lamando nameplates aren’t the Polo, Jetta, and Passat that Europeans get, but the same could be said with the Brio, City, Yaris, and Vios—they too were designed primarily with the Asian market in mind. On the flipside, it’s also the reason why Ford’s “One Ford” strategy didn’t pan out, especially in China.

Volkswagen understands that tastes vary from market to market, region to region, and carmakers must allow some wiggle room for local customization. By blending European and Asian sensibilities, they carry a certain level of design, engineering, and quality. Yet, the vehicles are also truly unique for the Asian market—designed and engineered with this setting in mind.

Review: 2020 Volkswagen Santana GTS 180 MPI SE Blaupunkt

I don’t want to admit it, but it’s clear: Volkswagen’s fumbling in the Philippine market. Most dare not say this out of fear of losing ad revenue, but I would be doing you, my dear reader, a great disservice if I didn’t say otherwise. If you want proof to see how far they’ve gone down, there’s no clearer sign than this: the Santana GTS. It’s a million-plus-peso hatchback/wagon that, frankly, shouldn’t exist.

The Santana, also offered in a Plainer Jane manual sedan variant ticks the right boxes. Priced at P 686,000, it’s not just enticing to fleet buyers, but also for those who’ve been aspiring to own a decent European-badged car. However, as you climb up the variant list, this sense of aspiration turns to exasperation. I mean, will anyone consider the Santana GTS’s longer roof worth the P 343,000 price jump?

Sure, it looks good enough in a corporate VW sort of way, and yes, it’s got a more flexible cargo hold than a traditional sedan, but putting those aside, it just doesn’t cut it in today’s design-driven market. At the very least, it should have been the automotive equivalent of vanilla ice cream—at the very least it makes for a nice, sweet ending to any meal. But this here is an ice cube. It chills your Coke, but it’s not something to jump for joy about. It’s not a spice, no sir. It’s a condiment.

Open the door, and the very same stern, emotionless treatment greets you. Vee Dub did try to give it some flair in the form of a flat-bottomed steering wheel, carbon fiber applique, and some red pinstriping on the dash, but overall, it’s drab-looking. As with any other car in this price range, the cabin’s plasticky, but at least the switches, knobs, and what have you feel solid and well-wearing. It’s also worth noting that while the driver’s seat moves six ways and the steering is adjustable for tilt, I couldn’t get comfy with it. This is the first car I’ve driven where I ended up having a sore right ankle because of being forced in an awkward angle in rush hour traffic.

It's not all bad with the Santana GTS though. Compared to other sub-compacts in the market, it, at least, fulfills some basic hygiene factors. It’s roomy for one, not just at the front, but even more at the back as well. There’s no center armrest back there, but at least there’s three adjustable headrests and three 3-point seatbelts. Another where it does well is cargo space, plus the rear seats can be dropped in a 60/40 split adding a degree of flexibility.

Driving-wise, the Santana GTS is mechanically solid, but is as plain as its looks. It’s purely a commuter car—designed to take you from Point A to Point B, but in the most innocuous manner possible. Compared to the base Santana MPI (the official designation of the manual transmission model), this Santana GTS 180 MPI SE adds 100-cc, bumping its outputs to 110 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque. It’s a strong motor, if a bit lacking in overall refinement. It makes short work of accelerating between intersections or traffic lights, but turns somewhat asthmatic when commanded with a full-throttle overtake.

Also, unlike the Santana MPI, the Santana GTS comes with Volkswagen’s BlueMotion technology, and for that adds the most horrible idle start/stop system I’ve ever encountered. It’s bad enough that it takes 2 to 4 seconds to re-start everything, but what makes it worse is the unpredictability. Do yourself a favor, and just turn the darn thing off. Naturally, expect the already horrid 7.8 km/L fuel mileage to drop down further.

Pain in my right ankle aside, at least the Santana GTS feels reasonably solid, and this is yet another hygienic factor it does right. The ride is firm, but never uncomfortable. Solidity is baked right into the chassis absorbing anything before it reaches the cabin. The steering, though a bit dull, is precise. Oh, and as the speeds build up, so does the level of confidence. It tends to pick up a bit more wind noise by the side mirrors once the needle goes past 80 km/h, but at least it has none of that floaty, hallow sensation that’s common in this class of car.

It's very clear at this point that the Santana GTS scores with its solid chassis. However, beyond its Teutonic solidness, it offers almost nothing remarkable or memorable for a car that costs P 1,029,000—unless you really, really need a sunroof on your sub-compact. Oh, and even opting out of the Blaupunkt audio package brings the price down by just P 31,000 to P 998,000.

And that’s the kicker right there. The Santana MPI made sense because it relied on its solid engineering and affordable positioning, together with its bigger than typical A-segment size and engine. In this top-trim Santana GTS form though, those advantages disappear. As it starts to get entangled in a segment dominated by competitors that offer more tangible, emotional differences be it design, technology, or connectivity, the Santana’s over reliance on its German underpinnings loses all its luster. Peel everything back and it does have solid foundations, but the house built on top of that is just too flimsy.

2020 Volkswagen Santana GTS 180 MPI SE
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Ownership	2020 Volkswagen Santana GTS 180 MPI SE Blaupunkt
Year Introduced	2018
Vehicle Classification	Sub-Compact Car
Warranty	3 years / 100,000 kilometers
The Basic
Body Type	5-door Wagon
Seating	5
Engine / Drive	F/F
Under the Hood
Displacement (liters)	1.5
Aspiration	Normally Aspirated
Fuel Delivery	EFI
Layout / # of Cylinders	I4
BHP @ rpm	110 @ 6,000
Nm @ rpm	150 @ 4,000
Fuel / Min. Octane	Gasoline / 91~
Transmission	6 AT
Cruise Control	Yes
Fuel Economy @ Ave. Speed	7.8 km/L @ 13 km/h, 13.1 km/L @ 29 km/h
Dimensions and Weights
Length (mm)	4,282
Width (mm)	1,706
Height (mm)	1,489
Wheelbase (mm)	2,603
Curb Weight (kg)	1,120
Suspension and Tires
Front Suspension	Independent, MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Composite Torsion Beam Axle
Front Brakes	Vented Disc
Rear Brakes	Drum
Tires	Dunlop Enasave EC300 185/60 R 15 T (f & r)
Wheels	Alloy
Safety Features
Airbags	6
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)	Yes, with EBD
Traction / Stability Control	Yes
Parking Sensors	Yes, Rear
Front Seatbelts	3-pt ELR with pre-tensioner x 2
Rear Seatbelts	3-pt ELR x 3
ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor	Yes
Other Safety Features	None
Exterior Features
Headlights	Halogen
Fog Lamps	Yes, Front & Rear
Auto Lights	No
Rain-sensing Wipers	No
Interior Features
Steering Wheel Adjust	Tilt
Steering Wheel Material	Leather
Seating Adjustment (driver)	Manual, 6-way
Seating Adjustment (front passenger)	Manual, 4-way
Seating Surface	Fabric/Leather
Folding Rear Seat	Yes, 60/40
On-Board Computer	Yes
Convenience Features
Power Steering	Yes
Power Door Locks	Yes
Power Windows	Yes
Power Mirrors	Yes
Proximity Key	No
Climate Control	Yes, Manual
Audio System	Stereo CD MP3 Aux USB SD Card Bluetooth
# of Speakers	6
Steering Controls	Yes

3 Ways the Volkswagen Santana AT is Your Dream Car Made Real

We understand—choosing the best and most affordable first car is one of the toughest decisions you’ll ever take. Never settle for less even for your first car because luxury and long-lasting quality can now be affordable. Check out three ways Volkswagen’s Santana AT makes owning the car of your dreams affordable and worth every penny.

#1. Cruise with confidence wherever you go

The Santana is equipped with 1.5-liter MPI engine with BlueMotion and 6-speed automatic transmission that produces 109 PS and 150 Nm power to take you to your destination efficiently without stressing you and your car’s engine. Its steering wheel allows smooth and light maneuvering while remaining stable. For your joyrides, the Santana’s SE and S variants come with a Blaupunkt Infotainment System option—a 7-inch touchscreen display that lets you navigate while driving to your favorite tunes.

#2. World-class quality you can afford

Priced starting at just P 898,000 (P 993,000 for the Santana SE with the Blaupunkt infotainment system shown), the signature VW German engineering we all loved meets affordability that doesn’t sacrifice quality and prestige. Even with superb affordability, the Santana still boasts the simple and classic VW exterior, a sleek and spacious interior that provides utmost comfort, and a long-lasting overall build. Santana features perennial VW safety features such as the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stabilization Program (SE variant) for better control, and Rear Park Distance Control (SE variant) for an extra parking eye.

#3. It’s an overall VIP experience

When we talk VW, it’s all about the overall luxurious experience that doesn’t end the moment you step out of your car. Get a worry-free experience as the Santana comes with a three-year or 100,000-km warranty, whichever comes first. Its 10,000 km per year periodic maintenance also gives you more time to cruise the streets without worrying about your Santana’s servicing. For a total VIP experience, Santana offers a one-year free 24/7 roadside assistance wherever you are.

Making the Santana AT even more enticing, Volkswagen is making it more affordable. From now until January 31, 2020, the Santana 180 MPI AT S gets a P 90,000 discount.

To know more about this special offer, or get more details about the VW Santana AT, check out the official Volkswagen Philippines website and like the official Volkswagen Philippines Facebook page.

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Low Maintenance, Easy Ownership Make the Volkswagen Santana the New Go-To Company Car

Companies are now turning to the Volkswagen’s Santana MT for their fleet accounts. At P 686,000, it’s not just affordable, but because it’s 100 percent German quality, it offers a low cost of maintenance.

This year, home retail giant CW Home Depot acquired nine Santanas to grow its VW fleet to 17. What inspired CW Home Depot to expand their Santana MT fleet is the once a year or every 10,000 kilometers, whichever comes first, periodic maintenance service (PMS) interval schedule—a truly convenient offer allowing them to focus on driving their business forward. The longer interval gives them more time to roll their Santana fleet on the road without any worry.

* Blaupunkt headunit is a dealer option.

Staying true to providing a trouble-free ownership, Volkswagen Philippines also offers an unrivaled warranty coverage, giving a three-year paint and main steel body structure warranty on top of the comprehensive three years or 100,000-km warranty on every Santana sold. This comprehensive warranty package made MAN Automotive Concessionaires Corporation (MACC), the company that distributes MAN trucks and buses in the Philippines, join the list last year and introduced Santana MT to its growing company fleet. MACC is also impressed with the Santana’s standard safety features that include dual SRS airbags, and ABS with EBD.

On the road, VW Santana MT’s 1.4-liter MultiPoint Injection (MPI) four-cylinder engine allows smooth driving around the Metro while ensuring excellent fuel economy with its five-speed manual transmission—a huge plus for premier car-rental company Diamond Rent-a-Car (DRAC), which acquired 11 units following Santana’s arrival in May 2018, to provide their customers a smooth and reliable ride. Santana also offers the comfort Volkswagens are known more with its cozy seats and roomy interior.

With a starting price of only P 686,000, Santana MT provides the classic and luxurious German craftsmanship that truly make it a Volkswagen. Moreover, it offers a painless ownership experience without costing a fortune—and this offers you and your company new ways to save.

To learn more about the new Santana, visit the Volkswagen website, its nationwide network of 9 dealers, and Like the official Volkswagen Philippines Facebook page.

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