- The VW Lamando L facelift brings a sharper front fascia and updated headlights.
- The China-only compact sedan with the coupe-like profile is a sister model to the Jetta.
It’s been three years since the VW Lamando L made its debut in China as the sleek, low-slung sibling of the Sagitar, which, for the uninitiated, is the local version of the Jetta. Now, the first photos and details of its updated version have surfaced. The compact sedan still shares a similar profile to the larger Arteon, which replaced the Passat CC in international markets. Unfortunately for the rest of the world, the Lamando L is a Chinese exclusive.
The updates to the front end are subtle but noticeable. The curvy, soft grille of the original has been swapped out for a larger, bolder design, dominated by glossy black plastic and a few silver accents. The illuminated VW badge is still there, along with the signature LED light bar, but the facelifted Lamando L gets new, sharper headlights that are noticeably smaller than before.
Read: VW Lamando L Debuts In China As An MQB Evo-Based Liftback
The side profile stays largely unchanged, but the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China did drop the news that the car will now offer new 16- and 17-inch wheel options, for those who want to tweak the aesthetic just a little more.
At the rear, the updates are a bit more visible. The the new Lamando now features a light bar, redesigned taillights, and a different bumper with a lower section in black plastic.
The updated Lamando L is 4,791 mm (188.6 inches) long, 1,831 mm (72 inches) wide, and stands 1,469 mm (57.8 inches) tall, meaning it’s exactly the same width and height as the old model but 7 mm (0.27 inches) longer. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,731 mm (107.5 inches).
More Power Under the Hood (Sort Of)
Under the hood, the Lamando L gets a modest power bump. The sole engine option is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers 158 hp (118 kW), which is a full 10 more horses than the previous model. This engine is paired with VW’s seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, sending power to the front wheels.
We’ll have to wait a little longer to take a peek inside the interior, which may have been revised for the 2025 model year. The interior of the current Lamando L is similar to other VW products, rocking a 10-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch infotainment display. Other key features include a head-up display, a Beats sound system, ambient lighting, and a sunroof.
