Roomy 2012 VW Passat offers diesel efficiency

BY JOHN STEIN Automotive Editor November 16, 2011 12:24PM

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2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

ENGINE: 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual

DRIVETRAIN: front-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 31 city/43 highway

BASE PRICE: $25,995

AS TESTED: not available

WEBSITE: vw.com

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The 2012 Passat is the largest Passat Volks­wagen has ever built, which makes it especially appealing to the American consumer – who not only enjoys larger spaces but also appreciates the technology of a German-engineered vehicle.

With premium features throughout the cabin and under the hood, the Passat really is the only midsize sedan that offers German engineering at an accessible price: $19,995. Passat trim levels include S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium.

On the outside, the 2012 VW Passat sedan is not as agile looking as the GTI or as sexy as the CC, but the Passat delivers a comprehensive German-engineering package that includes outstanding drive characteristics, dual-climate control zones and Bluetooth connectivity.

One reason the Passat seems to do so well in the United States is the fact it was designed specifically for the U.S. market. Built at the new VW plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Passat is truly as American as most domestics can claim.

Standard features included in the Passat are impressive, and Passat is the only clean diesel option in the midsize market segment with a manufacturer-estimated best-in-class 43 mpg highway mileage with nearly an 800-mile range.

The base 2.5-liter, inline five-cylinder delivers 170 horsepower. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel with direct injection generates 140 horsepower, while also delivering 236 pound-feet of torque. The third engine option is the fun-to-drive 3.6-liter VR6 that produces 280 horses and 258 pound-feet of torque. I have tested this engine several times and it is without doubt one of the more fun-to-drive variations for the Passat ($28,995). Each engine has a manual standard with optional automatic transmission.

My Passat tester exhibited a refined exterior style in its coupelike profile. I thought the high wheel arches seemed to bring all the flowing lines from the roof to the beltline grooves together. There is a natural sophistication to the Passat.

The feeling of refinement continues inside the cabin where the dash assembly and gauge treatment is simple, yet formal with chrome-trimmed gauges and the use of premium quality materials.

I found the seating in the Passat to be outstanding. Bolstering is supportive and comfortable for long trips, while power adjustments and fine leather make a perfect seating position possible no matter who is driving.

For those who may still have some concern about the use of a diesel engine, rest assured there is little, if any, indication to passengers or anyone around the Passat that it uses a diesel power plant.

On the upside, an impressive amount of torque on demand enables the Passat to accelerate rapidly with virtually no cabin noise other than some wind.

The Passat ride is comfortable with a firmer handling character than the softer luxury models in the same class. I found the drive character to be sporty rather than luxurious.

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat turbo diesel is all new, and given fuel economy standards rising every year, it represents another option for a cleaner and more efficient vehicle that does not skimp on comfort or convenience.

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