A windshield wiper assembly is provided having a unitary wiper arm and post, and a mechanical linkage for receiving the post and moving the arm. The post has a breakaway feature for breaking the post in response to impact. The wiper includes a head partially containing a center post and a button biased with a spring and connected to the center post for releasing the post from the linkage. The post and linkage include a captive ball and mating groove that are mutually engageable for securing the post to the linkage. Alternately, the post has a quick-connect end having a groove and the linkage has a receiving portion with a retractable collar and captive ball bearings. A vehicle is also provided including a windshield, a windshield wiper having a post, a wiper motor, and a mechanical linkage having an opening for receiving the post and powering the wiper.