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 Volkswagen Passat.
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 uniquely positioned 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.
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.
ENGINE
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.
Driving Impressions
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 back roads.
reference:www.motortrend.com,www.edmunds.com,www.cars.com
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