The 2012 Volkswagen Passat: A Midsize Sedan that Pleases Mainstream America
The new 2012 Volkswagen Passat is a surprise to European car enthusiasts, as it seems to have been designed with an American audience in mind. The car's manufacturing home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the inspiration for its makeover, and the result is a midsize sedan that looks and feels like what American car buyers want.
The new Passat's clean body lines are pleasing, but nothing to brag about. It's clear that the car's designers aimed for a Main Street American audience, typically seeking cars like Camry and Accord. The new Passat's design may not be flashy, but it has an appeal that even goes toe-to-toe with value-priced Hyundais.
A key factor in the Passat's appeal is its starting price, which is more than $7,000 less than the previous German import model. This makes it a compelling option for buyers who want a reliable midsize sedan without breaking the bank. The new Passat also takes on a new kind of appeal by offering high-quality details and a well-executed fit and finish.
The base model Passat still includes standard equipment like Dual Zone climate control, steering wheel-mounted controls, Bluetooth hands-free calling, and a decent audio system with an in-dash CD and auxiliary connection. While these features are not groundbreaking, they demonstrate the car's focus on quality and attention to detail. To take full advantage of the Passat's capabilities, we would recommend opting for an SE or higher trim level to get the touchscreen premium 8 sound system or the Fender premium audio system.
One of the standout features of the new Passat is its comfortable and user-friendly interior. The controls feel solid, and the layout is very intuitive. The seats are remarkably comfortable throughout, making long road trips a pleasure. Additionally, thanks to the new Passat's increased length, rear seat leg room is now just over 39 inches – more than the Camry.
The Passat offers three engine choices, ranging from incredibly fuel-efficient to considerably sporty. The base 2.5-liter inline-5 cylinder sends a healthy 170 horsepower through either a 5-speed manual or available six-speed automatic transmission. While this engine doesn't impress like the 2.0-liter inline-4 Turbo Diesel TDI, which manages just 140 horsepower and moves with confidence taking on hills with ease while getting hybrid-like fuel economy.
On the muscular end of the engine range is the 3.6-liter V6, coupled with a six-speed DSG transmission. Unfortunately, this V6 doesn't get good fuel economy, with only 20 City and 28 Highway EPA ratings. In contrast, the Turbo Diesel does best, getting up to 43 MP gallon on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission.
Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes with electronic brake pressure distribution, electronic stability control, and a six-airbag system with front and rear side curtain protection. With its impressive list of standard safety features, the new Passat is a solid choice for buyers looking for a reliable midsize sedan.
The 2012 Volkswagen Passat demonstrates a true desire to please mainstream America with a car made right here in the States. For that, it should definitely make it to the top of many buyers' short lists.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe 2012 Volkswagen Pat looks and feels more like what American car buyers want than what European car enthusiasts desire bw's new manufacturing home in Chattanooga Tennessee is the inspiration for the Pat's surprising makeover the new Pat's clean body lines are pleasing but nothing to brag about that's right aiming for a Main Street American audience that typically shots for Camry's of cord and ultimas the new pad is a pretty generic looking family sedan but with a starting price that's more than $7,000 less than the previous German import Pat it takes on a new kind of appeal that even goes toe-to-toe with the value priced Hyundai Sonata it's clear the VW is focus on quality and details a well executed fit and finish are evident from the entry-level pad s to the range topping V6 s L premium that we're testing today with the new Pat's huge price drop standard equipment on the base model still includes Dual Zone climate control steering wheel mounted controls and Bluetooth hands-free calling and a decent audio system with in dash CD and auxiliary connection still we'd opt for an SE or higher trim to get the touchscreen premium 8 sound system or the fender premium audio system like we have here that comes standard in allal trims and V6 models overall we like that the controls feel solid and that the layout is very userfriendly and the seats are remarkably comfortable throughout and thanks to the new Pat's increased length rear seat leg room is now just over 39 in that's more than the Camry there's three engine choices for the new pad ranging from incredibly fuele efficient to considerably sporty all sending power to the front wheels the base 2.5 L inline 5 cylinder falls in the middle although it sends a healthy 10070 horsepower through either a 5-speed manual or available six-speed automatic it doesn't impress like the 2 L inline 4 Turbo Diesel TDI right managing just 140 horsepower the turbo diesel moves with confidence taking on hills with ease while getting hybrid like fuel economy it's made it to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic direct shift gearbox on the muscular end of the engine range is the 280 horsepower 3.6 L V6 we have in this it's coupled with the six-speed DSG unfortunately the V6 doesn't get you good fuel economy just 20 City and 28 Highway the turbo diesel does best getting EPA ratings of up to 43 MP gallon on the highway with this six-speed manual transmission our Auto Trader testing actually got nearly 50 m per gon standard safety features include antiock brakes with electronic brake pressure distribution electronic stability St ility control and a six airbag system with front and rear side curtain protection the bottom line is that the base version of this five passenger midsize sedan with a manual transmission has an MSRP of just $19,995 add another 6,000 for the TD and pricing tops out with the V6 SE premium starting at 32,9 with the 2012 Pat Volkswagen demonstrates a true desire to please mainstream America with a car made right here in the states and for that it should make it to the top of the short list for many buyersthe 2012 Volkswagen Pat looks and feels more like what American car buyers want than what European car enthusiasts desire bw's new manufacturing home in Chattanooga Tennessee is the inspiration for the Pat's surprising makeover the new Pat's clean body lines are pleasing but nothing to brag about that's right aiming for a Main Street American audience that typically shots for Camry's of cord and ultimas the new pad is a pretty generic looking family sedan but with a starting price that's more than $7,000 less than the previous German import Pat it takes on a new kind of appeal that even goes toe-to-toe with the value priced Hyundai Sonata it's clear the VW is focus on quality and details a well executed fit and finish are evident from the entry-level pad s to the range topping V6 s L premium that we're testing today with the new Pat's huge price drop standard equipment on the base model still includes Dual Zone climate control steering wheel mounted controls and Bluetooth hands-free calling and a decent audio system with in dash CD and auxiliary connection still we'd opt for an SE or higher trim to get the touchscreen premium 8 sound system or the fender premium audio system like we have here that comes standard in allal trims and V6 models overall we like that the controls feel solid and that the layout is very userfriendly and the seats are remarkably comfortable throughout and thanks to the new Pat's increased length rear seat leg room is now just over 39 in that's more than the Camry there's three engine choices for the new pad ranging from incredibly fuele efficient to considerably sporty all sending power to the front wheels the base 2.5 L inline 5 cylinder falls in the middle although it sends a healthy 10070 horsepower through either a 5-speed manual or available six-speed automatic it doesn't impress like the 2 L inline 4 Turbo Diesel TDI right managing just 140 horsepower the turbo diesel moves with confidence taking on hills with ease while getting hybrid like fuel economy it's made it to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic direct shift gearbox on the muscular end of the engine range is the 280 horsepower 3.6 L V6 we have in this it's coupled with the six-speed DSG unfortunately the V6 doesn't get you good fuel economy just 20 City and 28 Highway the turbo diesel does best getting EPA ratings of up to 43 MP gallon on the highway with this six-speed manual transmission our Auto Trader testing actually got nearly 50 m per gon standard safety features include antiock brakes with electronic brake pressure distribution electronic stability St ility control and a six airbag system with front and rear side curtain protection the bottom line is that the base version of this five passenger midsize sedan with a manual transmission has an MSRP of just $19,995 add another 6,000 for the TD and pricing tops out with the V6 SE premium starting at 32,9 with the 2012 Pat Volkswagen demonstrates a true desire to please mainstream America with a car made right here in the states and for that it should make it to the top of the short list for many buyers\n"
