Topic: Test Drive: 2012 VW Passat 2.5 Comfortline

[Autos_Editor]

The new Passat 'was clearly designed with the needs of North American customers in mind,' says Editor, Greg Wilson.  

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[AP]

"Understated elegance" is, I think, PC for boring.

[JohnnyMac]

I know that a lot of people will say that this is a boring design and I'll agree it's not the best looking in it's class.  I find that the design is clean and unoffensive.  It might age better than say a Hyundai Sonata.  The interior is as always very comfortable and well done.  I see what VW is trying to do by making it more american and offering it at a lower price point.  Their intention is to gain market share in the US and Canada and they will probably achieve this.  The base engine is uncompetitive (but so is the Jetta's) and I've read that they are planning on replacing it with a small turbo charged 4 cylinder which will offer much better fuel economy.  The numbers didn't really impress me though, I think it was a turbo 1.8L that produced 160 hp and 180ish torque (this might have been a 1.6L and that would explain the low hp number).  But with a lot of german cars you can't just go by the numbers, you have to drive it to learn the performance. 

For me the TDI is the best option out of all of them.  It's interesting that this article make reference to both the wagon and AWD but doesn't dismiss them for future models.  I'll be surprised if we see either.  Like always they are focusing on the US and the US isn't as keen about wagons or AWD as we Canadians are.  It's too bad because I think a wagon version with the TDI would make a fantastic family car.

[nlm]

For me the TDI is the best option out of all of them.  It's interesting that this article make reference to both the wagon and AWD but doesn't dismiss them for future models.  I'll be surprised if we see either.  Like always they are focusing on the US and the US isn't as keen about wagons or AWD as we Canadians are.  It's too bad because I think a wagon version with the TDI would make a fantastic family car.

I'm guessing that a Passat TDI, 6-spd manual, AWD, wagon, ~$30k would be THE halo car for about 90% of those on this forum. Too bad that only translates to less than 1% of 1% of 1% of the market.

Anybody know where the 2012 Passat's are assembled?

[Danno001]

I'm guessing that a Passat TDI, 6-spd manual, AWD, wagon, ~$30k would be THE halo car for about 90% of those on this forum. Too bad that only translates to less than 1% of 1% of 1% of the market.

Change 6-spd manual to 6-spd auto and wagon to coupe, I'm more interested. Car has to pass the CFO approval process and the kid's learning to drive process. The reliability hangover and value vs. Hyundai / Kia products would proabably steer me away from the Passat. Check out the Kia Optima SX.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

For me the TDI is the best option out of all of them.  It's interesting that this article make reference to both the wagon and AWD but doesn't dismiss them for future models.  I'll be surprised if we see either.  Like always they are focusing on the US and the US isn't as keen about wagons or AWD as we Canadians are.  It's too bad because I think a wagon version with the TDI would make a fantastic family car.

I'm guessing that a Passat TDI, 6-spd manual, AWD, wagon, ~$30k would be THE halo car for about 90% of those on this forum. Too bad that only translates to less than 1% of 1% of 1% of the market.

Anybody know where the 2012 Passat's are assembled?

Chattanooga.

 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Good review, sums up my feelings toward it.

Note all Passats have Climatronic dual-zone climate control.

[whaddaiknow]

Good review, sums up my feelings toward it.

+1. Given competitive pricing, I would definitely put it close to the top of my shopping list along with the Accord, new Camry, Sonata and Optima.
Saw one on the road a few days ago, very nice looking car.

My bro down south just went through this process, and though he liked the Passat quite a bit, in the end it was $5k more than the similarly equipped Accord, so he went with the Accord. Despite Passat being a fresh model, the older Accord more than compendates for that with its reliability and future trade-in value.
Since Canadian pricing is mathced closer together, Passat could quite possibly have come up on top.

[lebowski]

I'm guessing that a Passat TDI, 6-spd manual, AWD, wagon, ~$30k would be THE halo car for about 90% of those on this forum. Too bad that only translates to less than 1% of 1% of 1% of the market.

LOL this is so true - "give us the version with a diesel/awd/manual/wagon!" is essentially the battle cry of every car enthusiast forum

[JRM]

I like the looks of the new Passat much better than the overstyled Sonata with all the curved lines and creases (to me it looks dated already), although it's not as as handsome as the Optima.  The interior looks very upscale and uncluttered as with most VW's.   

I don't understand all the negative comments about the 2.5 engine.  I have it in my '10 Golf with the 6 spd. auto.  It is so quiet and smooth I can't tell that it's running at idle.   It has plenty of tourque.  The manual shifter works very well for good performance and it also has an automatic sport mode for even better performance.   Under hard accelleration it has a nice growl to it rather than the buzz of most 4 cylinders.   I can achieve 7.0 litres per 100 kms, the same as my '07 2.4 L Camry, at around 120 kph on a long trip and it's rated at 6.9, compared to 6.1 with the Camry.  And to top it all off I haven't had any warranty claims compared to several with the Camry, and only one maintenance service, in the first 19 months. 

Test drive a 2.5 Passat, who knows, you might like it.

[aaronk]

I heard on an auto news blog somewhere that VW's upcoming base engine will be a 1.8T, which will replace the current 2.5L I5. I think that will make much more sense and provide significant fuel economy improvements, although I think there is a danger of a premium-fuel-only requirement throughout the VW lineup. That can scare away value buyers. I wonder how Hyundai has avoided this requirement with all of their turbo engines?

Regardless, this surely is a more 'American' iteration of the Passat, but I would have a 2010 CC with 6-speed manual before one of these.

[opg210]

I'm guessing that a Passat TDI, 6-spd manual, AWD, wagon, ~$30k would be THE halo car for about 90% of those on this forum. Too bad that only translates to less than 1% of 1% of 1% of the market.

LOL this is so true - "give us the version with a diesel/awd/manual/wagon!" is essentially the battle cry of every car enthusiast forum

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I see a lot of 2010+ Golf wagons around (just like mine!), it seems more than new Jetta sedans so here's hopin'. And we did have to wait two months to get ours. A Passat TDI wagon would be perfect for us as the Golf is sometimes a bit tight, esp the back seat.

I hear the comments too about bland styling, and VW doesn't help their cause with colour schemes - our golf had a choice of 5 colours - black, white, 2 shades of grey, and one blue grey. Maybe that's why they seem relatively rare, they are nearly invisible...

[Jaeger]

"Understated elegance" is, I think, PC for boring.

In this case, most definitely.

I know that a lot of people will say that this is a boring design and I'll agree it's not the best looking in it's class.  I find that the design is clean and unoffensive.  It might age better than say a Hyundai Sonata. 

Well the Passat isn't likely to look any more boring years from now than it does now.  So there's that. 

I do hope the interior quality is miles ahead of the current Jetta, which is pretty craptastic.  And  I doubt the hoary old 2.5l whezebox will be any better in this application than in the Jetta I test drove.  That coarse old crank certainly hasn't "aged well" at all, and yet here it is in a brand spanking new model.  Brand loyalists will no doubt gobble down whatever VW serves, but I don't see this mill winning converts among the Camcordimanata ranks.

The Passat CC and GTI remain appealing choices in th VW stable.  The "Americanized" Jetta and Passat don't really appeal to me much at all.

Jaeger

[CanuckG35]

"Understated elegance" is, I think, PC for boring.

In this case, most definitely.

I know that a lot of people will say that this is a boring design and I'll agree it's not the best looking in it's class.  I find that the design is clean and unoffensive.  It might age better than say a Hyundai Sonata. 

The Passat CC and GTI remain appealing choices in th VW stable.  The "Americanized" Jetta and Passat don't really appeal to me much at all.

Jaeger

Agreed.  You can add me to the list that finds this car as boring as boring could possibly be.  It just doesn't interest me in the least.  The CC on the other hand is a VERY attractive car. 

[Allmanual]

I don't get the whats the beef with this engine, I have a 2008 Jetta 2.5 Mt with 215000kms and the engine is still running smoothly. And for the fuel economy, on a 1000kms ride it took me all of 7l more than a box standard echo (small price to pay for a bit of comfort).

[sailor723]

Looks like this will be a good move for VW and a bad move for those who like VW's 

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think the styling makes the car look more upscale and larger than it is. More luxury class in stature.

The TDI going 1,500kms per tank is highly appealing.

I wish Comfortlines had cloth instead of leatherette (I'd get a Comfortline Sport Pkg TDI 6MT likely), and the interior doesn't have as much headroom as I'd like to be more comfortable. Otherwise I think they've done a bulls-eye job here.

[hemusbull]

This Passat shows me VW's price policy was not quite right until now and this is a main reason for weak sales in North America. VW, particularly Jetta was class alone itself with not adequate price and...reliability. In addition VW doesn't have the decent "bread and butter" engine for NA - it should be a more powerfull, frugal and using regular fuel. Mixing Audi prices and bin parts obviously doesn't work in the name of improved sales.

[whaddaiknow]

I don't get the whats the beef with this engine, I have a 2008 Jetta 2.5 Mt with 215000kms and the engine is still running smoothly. And for the fuel economy, on a 1000kms ride it took me all of 7l more than a box standard echo (small price to pay for a bit of comfort).

+1. I remember test driving the previous Jetta when it first came out years ago, and I distinctly remember how I liked the torquey engine and pickup at any speed. I liked the sound and feel of the I5. Not sure what the beef is at all. It is, in my opinion, better than any competitors 4-cyl.
Now, the clutch was very touchy. That Jetta was the only car besides Genesis coupe 3.8 that I managed to stall.

As a daily sedate driver and family hauler, it is perfectly adequate and very competitive, roomy, comfortable with German road hugging manners not offered by the Asian competitors, so the enthusiasts should be more inclined towards it than the Camcoptinata. So for what it is, the new Passat is an excellent addition to the family sedan market.
You want more power and refinement? Go for the 3.6 and kick some serious touche.

[PJ]

I don't get the whats the beef with this engine, I have a 2008 Jetta 2.5 Mt with 215000kms and the engine is still running smoothly. And for the fuel economy, on a 1000kms ride it took me all of 7l more than a box standard echo (small price to pay for a bit of comfort).

No doubt it did well on the hwy but around town (where most cars spend the vast majority of their time) the Echo would beat it by huge margin.

And to make a note that a 2008 Jetta is still running smoothly is nothing special.  My 1998 Taurus runs smoothly too.