WASHINGTON — There are plenty of midsize sedans on the market, but if you want to buy from a German automaker, the new Passat is the choice for you.
It’s a roomy option with plenty of space to spread out for this class. Is the base turbo four-cylinder engine a good choice? I spent a week with new 2016 Passat to find out.
I went in thinking that this is a larger car and there is no way that the 170 hp turbo engine would be enough, but I was surprised just how strong this little engine pulled. Even with all the seats filled, it had no trouble keeping up with traffic. (The once-popular diesel Passat isn’t around for now, due to emissions problems.)
This engine feels like one with 20 or 30 horsepower than what it says on the sticker. With the smaller engine, fuel economy is another bonus: I managed 29.2 mpg for the week of mixed city and highway driving — right in line with what the sticker says it should do.
A nice six-speed automatic does a good job of keeping up with you — this is a nice cruiser or daily driver. The bumps are dealt with nicely and the cabin is pretty quiet on most road surfaces; only on some concrete surfaces do you notice more road noises.
This isn’t a very sporty ride like the smaller Passats of 10 years ago, and it feels a bit out of place when you push it in turns.
The exterior has been given a bit of a makeover, but you really have to know what to look for. I couldn’t really tell the difference until I parked near an older Passat. After looking for a minute, it was clear that the front end is a bit more rounded, with new headlight housings.
The midlevel SE model, which I drove, doesn’t really wow you with its looks, but it doesn’t offend either. The 17-inch wheels are classy-looking and add flair, but those spokes may not make them the easiest to clean. The new R-line trim level adds sporty, large 19-inch wheels. I recommend driving back-to-back with the base 17-inch wheels on our roads and then make a choice.
Inside is where you can tell there is change for the better: Finally, you can bring your own USB cords for your devices — no more VW-only cords inside the car.
The NAV and audio are also improved from past Passats, and when I shifted in reverse, the camera was ready — not like before, when you’d be halfway down the driveway before it decided to kick in.
The screen might be not as large as some of the competition, but it’s a vast improvement from before. For a $29,000 price tag, you also get adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor and front assist with auto braking — a large step up in safety for the Passat.
Space for five in the large cabin isn’t a problem, with plenty of legroom. I managed two car seats and a booster across the back seat. The front seats are comfortable, and both front and rear seats are heated, though not the middle rear seat.
The trunk is large and can swallow a decent amount of cargo. You can lower the rear seats and open more space for hauling larger items.
The Volkswagen Passat is updated to better compete in the midsize sedan market. It’s now a large, comfortable cruiser, with technology and other items buyers are looking for, and more safety options to help keep you and your car straight.
If you want save a little, VW’s recent bad press could help you get a lot of car for the money. I’m sure your local dealer would love to show this sedan.
