WASHINGTON — There aren’t many German midsize sedans to choose from in the popular $30,000-and-under sedan market, but Volkswagen doesn’t rest on that alone. Instead, VW offers its own unique take on the midsize sedan in the U.S.
The Passat is built in America just for our market. With a starting price under $22,000 and three different engines to choose from, it seems Volkswagen is trying hard to gain market share in America.
The Passat comes in several different flavors and engines, with a base 1.8T four-cylinder engine, an optional V6 or even a fuel-sipping diesel that’s improved for 2015. (Look for more on that next month.) There are up to five trim levels to choose from as well.
I tested the mid-level SE with a base 1.8T turbo engine and a six-speed automatic with a $26,840 price tag. For that money, you get a nicely equipped car. At 170-horsepower, it’s a good base engine, but that seems a little low for how the car feels. It seems more like 200 hp, and you can use regular fuel. I managed 28.2 mpg over a week and 301 miles — right where it should be, given the stated mileage of 24 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined.
Driving the Passat for a week was a nice break from most sedans. It has good handling and likes the turns as much as cruising along on the highway. I’m sure the more powerful V6 would be a blast, but with a little turbo four, it seemed nimble and ready to give its all. The Passat handles bumps well and seemed relaxing on the highway. The automatic transmission did a good job, but the manual would provide a livelier sedan.
Whether you buy a base S-model for less than$22,000 or shell out more than $36,000 for a loaded V6, all Passats come with a huge interior. It must be close to a full-sized sedan, as both front and back passengers have plenty of room. The trunk is also roomy, and the rear seats fold down for more space.
The majority of the material used in the cabin is soft to the touch, and it gives a very German vibe with blacks and grays, which create a soothing environment. The seats are covered in leatherette — or synthetic leather that looks like the real thing. The front seats offer comfort and heat, and the leather steering wheel feels nice in your hands. It really comes off more upscale than the price point.
The standard rearview camera is a welcome feature of the SE trim level Passat, but I wish the screen was a little bigger to help when backing up and parking this large midsize sedan. The eight-speaker fender sound system has a good sound quality. The Bluetooth hookup isn’t the most intuitive, but it’s the first Volkswagen where I actually connected my phone.
The Passat SE is a good alternative to the normal midsize sedan boasting a large amount of space inside and a base engine good on power and fuel economy. Volkswagen has a Passat for many different buyers.
Editor’s note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
