2019 Volkswagen Lamando Technology & Safety Review

There has been an unspoken debate whether the 2019 Volkswagen Lamando is a compact sedan or a midsize sedan. Size-wise, it slots in between compact and midsize sedans. However, with the tech features and other niceties that come with the car, Volkswagen Philippines officially markets the nameplate as a midsize sedan, warranting a price tag of P1,703,000.

Let’s take a more in-depth review of the tech and safety features that the Lamando boasts of so we would discern if it deserves its place in the midsize sedan market.

What’s included: keyless entry, push-button engine start, electronically-adjustable driver's seat, fully-digital instrument panel, automatic headlights with manual leveler, rain-sensing wipers, speed-sensing door locks, auto climate control, brake hold, electronic parking brake, auto-folding side mirrors, auto up/down windows on all fours, auto start/stop, front and rear parking sensors, reverse camera, adaptive cruise control, front and rear USB charging ports, and a 9.2-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and gesture control.

Apart from the bright LEDs outside the car, it would be hard to miss the huge screens inside the Lamando. The instrument cluster is fully digital and customizable – you can choose which information should be fed to you. The controls and switches are generally easy to understand. You would be able to familiarize with the whole vehicle within one seating.

What you won’t like: gesture control is a nice thing to have but it’s pointless at times, auto start/stop feature isn’t refined.

The 9.2-inch screen, on the other hand, follows what VW has employed to its global design. It has gesture control, which allows you to navigate through the menu just by waving your hand near the unit. However, since you still have to touch the screen to get to where you wanted, it feels a bit pointless.

As a silver lining, you could use your magical hand to scan through radio station or through your playlist if you paired your phone via Bluetooth, albeit, the gesture control isn’t usable if you’re using Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The speakers sound okay for most music genres.

What’s included: Dual front airbags, curtain airbag, side airbag, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors, stability control, proximity sensors, tire pressure monitor, and seatbelt reminder for the driver and front passenger.

The 2019 Lamando comes with adaptive cruise control in addition to the things mentioned above. Aside from being a convenient feature on the highway – and within heavy city traffic, just like Subaru’s EyeSight – it keeps you within a safe distance from the car in front of you while cruising.