VW Road-Trip Holiday Gifts

Given the realities of 2020, certain activities came to a standstill. But people adapt, and found other activities that were a good fit for a pandemic-ridden year. Near the top of that list was road trips, an activity allowing families to get out and spend time together while exploring the world around them at a safe distance.

Volkswagens have always been popular road-trip vehicles, so they were pressed into extensive duty in 2020. As a result, certain accessories came to be in high demand from the road-tripping public. According to Volkswagen, six specific accessories stood out as the most in-demand for drivers this year.

The Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack. Drivers can carry up to four bikes at a time on the hitch-mounted racks that fit the back of their Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport or Tiguan. This rack doesn’t even impede access to the trunk.

Universal Tablet Holder. We’re not saying kids get bored easily on road trips, but the option of watching a movie or playing a game never hurt anything. This adjustable holder secures to the back of the front-seat headrests and can lock in a compatible tablet. It’s a great complement to Volkswagen’s on-board VW Car-Net® 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and is much less expensive than the permanent headrest-mounted DVD player that can cost over $1,000.

Bumperdillo® Protection Plate. This accessory, which protects the top bumper from wear and tear, has soared in recent months. Drivers love it because it prevents the traditional wear and tear that results from unloading outdoor adventure gear. It’s easy to install and also helps to protect the car’s painted surface. The compatible version for each model is linked here: Jetta and Jetta GLI; Atlas; Arteon; Passat; e-Golf, Golf, Golf R and GTI; Alltrack and SportWagen; and Tiguan.

Rear Sunshade. A long ride under the hot sun can take a lot out of you, but a handy shade to reduce glare and moderate heat can keep kids and pets comfortable in the back seat. It’s made of polyester fabric mesh and its sales have doubled in 2020 compared with 2019. The compatible version for each model is linked here: Jetta and Jetta GLI; Crossport; Passat; Jetta Hybrid; e-Golf, Golf, Golf R and GTI; Alltrack and SportWagen; and Tiguan.

Base Carrier Bars. With a T-Slot channel, keyed end caps and – in the newest models – an integrated turn dial for easy installation, these carrier bars are a big help when transporting skis, snowboards, kayaks, canoes and other adventure items.

Privacy Cover. Car break-ins and people snooping for valuables definitely sees an up-tick around holiday shopping time. This retractable rear privacy cover keeps eyes off valuables and personal items in your vehicle. The privacy cover fits the Atlas, Cross Sport and Tiguan – and keeps your belongings out of the sight of onlookers.

If you are looking for another VW part or accessory gift item for someone in your life, visit our online parts store or our in-store accessory shop.