Topic: 2018 VW Passat

[EV-Light]

VW swapped the 1.8T for the 2.0T that is in the Tiguan...with 0 benefits to the car.

Why We Tested It and How It Performed: The 2018 Passat trades last year’s turbocharged 1.8-liter inline-four for a larger turbocharged 2.0-liter that is capable of running on a modified version of the more efficient Miller cycle. The additional displacement affords the engine a total of 174 horsepower—four more than the old 1.8T. Torque holds steady at 184 lb-ft, which comes on at a low 1500 rpm.
The Passat 2.0T proved no quicker than the prior 1.8T—it actually was slower in almost every acceleration measurement we perform. The newer car needed 8.1 seconds to get to 60 mph and 16.1 seconds to cross the quarter-mile, 0.3 and 0.1 second behind the last Passat 1.8T we tested. Acceleration on the move was no better, with the 2.0T’s 30-to-50-mph and 50-to-70- mph times of 4.1 and 6.3 seconds trailing the 1.8T’s 4.0- and 5.9-second performance.

This engine also proved no more efficient than its sprightlier predecessor. In our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test, the Passat 2.0T returned 36 mpg to the 1.8T’s 39 mpg. The EPA, however, rates the 2.0T at 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway—each 2 mpg better than the 2017 model with the 1.8T.

Link: https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-volkswagen-passat-20t-test-review

[JohnnyMac]

I noticed they switched to the new engine and that it didn't really improve anything.  I struggle to justify recommending any VW product that isn't a Golf model.  To me all their other products are middle of the pact at best.  They sell really well and I guess that's the point but personally other than the Golfs and upcoming Arteon I wouldn't consider buying anything else on their lot.  I think this is because they are trying WAY to hard to Americanize their products.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I'm assuming the switch had more to do with EPA numbers and/or production constraints.

If a person really needs more grunt, they still have the 280hp VR6 which is among the quickest of the mid-sizers.