It wasn’t too long ago when a European automobile was reserved for the wealthy. Car enthusiasts understood that anything with a German badge commanded a premium. Superb models like the Golf GTI and the Passat remained aspirational for many—fitting rewards for those who had made it in this dog-eat-dog world.

But with the arrival of the Volkswagen Santana subcompact sedan, going German no longer means a busted wallet. The Santana AT starts at P898,000 for the S variant, and tops out at P962,000 for the SE version. Both variants can be specced with a Blaupunkt audio system, bringing their price tags to P929,000 (S) and P993,000 (SE). This car offers stunning value especially when you consider that most other competitors in this class have already breached the P1-million mark.

And it’s not just Euro car fans who deserve to park a Santana in their garage: With its versatile package, this trendy sedan will surely appeal to these go-getters:

1. College students. Ah, that new-car smell. Who wouldn’t want to drive a brand-new, European car while earning that prized degree? But reality can bite with everyday challenges like traffic gridlock and scarce parking slots. Fortunately, the Santana’s premium Blaupunkt entertainment system can help you while away the time on the crowded road. And for cramped parking spaces, the Santana SE’s Rear Park Distance Control system will help you back into a spot with ease.

2. BPO employees. The grueling midnight shift of call center personnel isn’t for the faint of heart, but the Santana’s comfortable, Euro-styled interior provides a welcome respite from the stress of the workplace. Standard safety features like rear fog lamps, stability control and front airbags (plus side airbags for the SE variant) give you peace of mind when driving home after a long day in the office.

3. Supermoms (and superdads). Take the kids to school, fetch the groceries, pick up the kids, show up for work—there’s never a day off if you’re a parent. Even though the Santana is a subcompact sedan, it punches above its weight with exceptional cabin and trunk space. The trunk holds up to 466L of cargo, more than enough for your supermarket run’s haul, your kids’ varsity gear, and your shopping spree’s finds.

4. The Instagram crowd. The Santana has one of the classiest cockpits in its class, featuring elegant instrumentation, precise ergonomics, and a three-spoke steering wheel and a pistol-grip shifter that wouldn’t look out of place in a more expensive car. Need more lighting for that perfect selfie? Go ahead and open up the SE variant’s sunroof. Let the light and the good vibes in.

5. Sales professionals. Dress to impress with the prestige of the VW badge, and let your clients appreciate the superb fit-and-finish of the car before you get down to business. With the Santana’s powerful yet fuel-efficient 1.5-liter BlueMotion engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, shuttling from one appointment to another is brisk yet thrifty. And because this vehicle is engineered for the autobahn, long days on the road are easy and fun with its driver-oriented cockpit and engaging dynamics.

Which variant suits your style? With the relatively small difference between the two Santana AT variants’ pricing, buyers will have to carefully consider which one is the better deal for them. While the S provides all the creature comforts like power windows, central door-locking, keyless entry and immobilizer, the SE adds that special oomph for those who see their car as more than just a daily commuter. The SE boasts leather upholstery, multifunction controls for the steering wheel, Rear Park Distance Control, and a sunroof. It also gets front side airbags in addition to the standard front airbags. Both Santana AT variants already benefit from rear fog lamps, but the SE has front fog lamps as well. Noteworthy are the side mirrors, which feature turn-signal repeaters for both variants. Additional convenience items include cruise control and rain-sensing wipers. Fork out an extra P31,000 and the SE comes equipped with a fancy Blaupunkt infotainment system with a seven-inch capacitive touchscreen.

Enjoy worry-free ownership. Finally, while the Santana may tick all the right boxes for the discerning car shopper, it’s worth mentioning that long-term ownership of one is designed to be as convenient and stress-free as possible. Volkswagen Philippines is aware that for many first-time buyers, concerns about maintenance costs might seem pretty daunting. To address this, Volkswagen only requires a 10,000km (or one-year) periodic maintenance interval. What’s more, the car comes with a 100,000km (or three-year) warranty—more than enough time and mileage to sort out any issues that may arise from real-world ownership.

Competitively specced, precision-engineered and built to satisfy demanding buyers, the Volkswagen Santana is one of the best-kept secrets in the auto industry. Take it for a spin and you’ll see what we mean.

This branded article was produced in partnership with Volkswagen Philippines.