If
you've always wanted to drive a classy European sedan but have been put off by
that nagging voice in your head telling you it's your patriotic duty to buy
something built in America, you'll want to check out the 2012 VolkswagenPassat. This
all-new midsize sedan combines many of the qualities that likely drew you to
German cars in the first place, including elegant styling and a more sporting
driving character. But it's also the first vehicle to roll out from VW's
brand-new assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Compared to the previous
Passat (which, incidentally, continues to be sold elsewhere in the world), it's
meant to better appeal to American tastes, with a roomier interior, a new
selection of engines and (most important) a significantly lower price.
As
for the engine lineup, last year's gutsy 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is no
more. Instead, VW gives you a choice of three engines: a 2.5-liter inline-5
we've come to know in the Jetta, a 2.0-liter inline-4 diesel (the TDI, also from
the Jetta and Golf) or a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. All of them offer some
form of six-speed automatic transmission, while the two smaller engines are
offered with manual gearboxes as well. The TDI diesel is certainly the most
interesting, as it promises more than 40 mpg on the highway and a maximum
cruising range of nearly 800 miles.
We
suspect some prior owners of VW's mainstream sedan will lament the change in
direction for the Passat, as it used to be a distinct bridge between regular
family sedans and entry-level luxury cars. But the fact is VW's entry in the
crowded family sedan category is now a better fit for the majority of
consumers. It's priced right, drives well and finally holds a family of five
comfortably. And thankfully, it still has its German roots.
There
are some minor downsides to the new Passat package, notably the underachieving
base engine. And given the state of the midsize segment, we certainly recommend
buyers compare the Passat back-to-back with top choices like the Ford Fusion,
Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima. Those interested in a somewhat
sportier driving experience may also want to consider the Mazda 6 and Nissan
Altima. But for all that, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat remains uniquelypositioned to satisfy your desire to drive European and own American.
I've
been critical of Volkswagen's decision to remove some of the upscale cabin
niceties in its redesigned Jetta compact sedan in order to price the car more
competitively. Likewise, the new Passat goes without some features that VW
enthusiasts might appreciate, like a height-adjustable front armrest, but the
overall materials quality, attention to detail and standard features — like
one-touch up/down power windows for front and rear occupants, Bluetooth cell
phone connectivity and dual-zone automatic air conditioning — make the Passat
competitive with the best the family sedan segment has to offer.
The
Passat has grown some with its redesign — 4 inches in length, half an inch in
width and half an inch in height — but the cabin feels substantially roomier
than the outgoing Passat. Legroom and shoulder room have increased —
considerably in some instances. I'm 6-foot-1, and even with the front seat
adjusted for me, the backseat has nearly as much legroom as a long-wheelbase
full-size sedan, which the Passat isn't. This is the kind of car four tall
adults could take on a long road trip and arrive no worse for wear — even those
sitting in back.
The
cavernous passenger area doesn't come at the expense of cargo room, as the
trunk measures a competitive 15.9 cubic feet. It's very deep and rectangular,
with few intrusions. A 60/40-split folding backseat is standard, and lowering
the rear backrests reveals a large opening between the trunk and the cabin.
2012 Volkswagen Passat Exterior
One
of the Passat's most impressive qualities is its forgiving suspension, which
translates into comfortable highway cruising. The four-wheel independent
suspension yields ride quality that's nearly as soft as a Toyota Camry's, but
with better body control over big dips and rises. It's a departure from the
previous-generation Passat's firmer ride, but the move makes a lot of sense for
this car class, where comfort is more important than sportiness.
As
with other Volkswagens, the Passat has light-effort steering whether you get
the gas engine, which uses hydraulic power steering, or the diesel, which has
electric power assist. The steering wheel provides virtually no road feel —
typical for this class — but good precision makes it easy to steer on winding
country roads.
Despite
the comfy suspension tuning, the Passat doesn't turn into a wallowing mess on
serpentine roads. For a big sedan, body roll is well-controlled. All versions
of the Passat have the same suspension tuning, but wheel sizes range from 16 to
18 inches.
As
such, it's impossible to avoid the term "out of date" when
considering the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat VR6, even though its narrow-angle,
280-horsepower, 258 pound-foot 3.6-liter engine is the one that will make
enthusiasts' hearts palpitate most -- even more so than the 140-horsepower, 236
pound-foot 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel. VW is chasing Honda with its new midsize
car, and the Accord, after being a V-6 holdout in the '90s, is now the biggest
overall-length car in this segment, offered in four-cylinder and V-6
iterations.
In
case you haven't kept up, the '12 Passat, exclusive to the North American
market, though likely to be a model for China, is a couple of inches longer
than a Toyota Camry, 2.5 inches shorter than the Accord, but with a wheelbase
0.2 inches longer than Accord's. It shows in the commodious rear seat's
sumptuous legroom and headroom.
VW
promises extensive use of high-strength steel, emphasized by the manufacturer's
estimated weight. These estimates typically fall short of ours, in which we
fill the fuel tanks, but the Passat VR6 comes in at 3,446 pounds, just 49
pounds heavier than a similarly equipped TDI model and 225 heavier than a
five-cylinder model with automatic transmission.
The
2012 Volkswagen Passat's list of standard safety features includes antilock
brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags and side curtain
airbags. In the event of a crash, a new feature called Intelligent Crash
Response automatically cuts off the fuel supply, unlocks the doors and turns on
the hazard flashers.
On
the road, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat's character depends a great deal on which
engine is under the hood. Performance from the 2.5-liter five-cylinder is
adequate and should be an acceptable choice for most buyers, but fuel economy
and performance are nowhere near best-in-class. The alternative, the 2.0-liter
turbodiesel in TDI models, offers significantly better fuel economy and
livelier low-end power, but highway passing can be a challenge due to its
modest horsepower output.
For
those not satisfied with the above, the 3.6-liter V6 engine delivers much more
enthusiastic acceleration. The DSG automated manual transmission that's
available with the turbodiesel engine and standard with the V6 works very well,
and its regular and manual-shift modes mean the Passat is well suited both for
commuting and more spirited driving.
On
the move, the Passat is an engaging sedan to drive thanks to its well-sorted
suspension tuning, precise steering feel and strong brakes. The car also
manages to earn high marks for ride comfort, which is ultimately more important
considering the fact that most buyers will be far more concerned with
schlepping kids to school or co-workers to lunch than burning up winding backroads.
reference:www.motortrend.com,www.edmunds.com,www.cars.com