2019 Volkswagen Lamando Interior & Cargo Space Review

At P1,703,000, the Volkswagen Lamando is at the upper price range of the general sedan population – all while maintaining its stark stand as the most affordable midsize sedan in the Philippines. Thinking about it, it’s quite a bargain if you consider the lineup of technology and safety features that come with the car.

With that said, did Volkswagen compromise cabin quality in order to keep the 2019 Lamando’s attractive price point? Here’s an in-depth interior review.

What you will like: Comfortable passenger seating, roomy, and feels premium

What you won’t like: Flush of piano black plastics, tall dashboard, and challenging to find the ideal driving position.

As the company that makes luxurious Audi cars, Volkswagen didn’t hold back in employing a premium feel in its very own mainstream line of cars. Well, at least in the Lamando. The interior’s not exactly plush but they’re not the econo-type either. The genuine leather on the sports seats feels nice plus soft-touch plastics populate the areas where cowhide and faux-leather aren’t present.

The Lamando has commendable cabin space even for three rear passengers, provided that the tallest one stands at 5’10 below and of average body size. There are plenty of cubbyholes, as well, plus the door pockets could accommodate both a medium bottle and your wallet.

However, it would be a lie if tell you that the piano black plastics didn’t bother me – and they’re quite a handful inside the Lamando as you can see in the gallery below. This type of plastic isn’t just a fingerprint- and dust-magnet; it doesn’t age well as well as it is vulnerable to scratches.

Another gripe would be the bolstering of the sports seats. It’s a bit cramped on the upper back to the point that I, a medium-built person, find it hard to get into a comfortable driving position. Adding the fact that the dashboard’s tall, I had to resolve to sit higher than what I would have preferred for better forward visibility.

Nevertheless, the Lamando’s NVH insulation is among the best out there, making in-cabin conversation or music enjoyable even at legal speed limits.

Cargo volume with seats up: 372 Liters

Cargo volume with rear backrests folded: Not indicated

The Lamando’s trunk is spacious enough to allow a child stroller and two months worth of groceries inside. Even better, you can fold the rear backrests flat to extend the cargo volume, albeit, the exact figure isn’t indicated on the spec sheet. There are switches available to fold the seats while standing at the back – no need to go shuffle through the rear doors. Nifty.

Access to the rear end would be either through the key fob, the usual driver’s switch, or by flipping the Volkswagen badge.