2012 VW Passat: First Drive Press Launch Road Test Impressions

Coming into the press event for the 2012 VW Passat being held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, I was in little doubt that I was in store for what would be a huge personal automotive disappointment. The longest I have ever owned a car is 8 years and that vehicle just so happened to be a mechanically flawless 2002 sedan that I still miss to this day.

How could a newly "American-ized" Passat be worth its weight in schnitzel and still have the look, feel and driving characteristics of one of the bank vault build quality aping family sedans that so famously introduced the rear pillar "Hofmeister Kink" that was quickly copied by Nissan, Kia and many others? And if you don't know what this styling treatment looks like, in a word, it has afforded Passats of years past a totally pure and unbending exterior full of reserved Teutonic style.

Now, the 2012 VW Passat does not look as handsomely crafted and elegantly tailored in photographs as it does in person. Certain darker metallic colors really bring out the charismatic and resoundingly masculine exterior appearance. It's funny, then, that the all-new 2011 VW Jetta just managed to turn itself into a pork-pie eating four door that is not only bigger but also looks like it took dieting tips from Shamu the Killer Whale.

The 2012 Passat, oddly enough, looks narrower and more slender than the corpulent 2011 Jetta and also manages the unique trick of boasting a base price of under $20,000 all without removing the interior build quality "squishiness" and solidity that makes owning a VW so wonderful. In addition, all 2011 Passats come with dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, an 8-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, power windows, door locks, 16-inch steel wheels (with alloys easily optional) and all the necessities for modern life.

Even the most basic model with the 2.5 liter 170 horsepower/177 lb. feet of torque 5-cylinder has a nicely detailed cabin with an epic sized 15.9 cubic foot trunk, a classy looking analog clock on the dash and more rear leg-room than any human person should ever realistically need. But if a tall race of alien creatures invades the planet then the 2012 VW Passat will no doubt be top on their shopping lists when they decide to assimilate into suburbia.

The 2012 VW Passat really sets itself apart from the family sedan pack thanks to its three very distinctive and unique powertrain/engine combinations which really impact the character of the car you very well might be buying. At the very least, one trim level of the 2012 VW Passat deserves to be on your short list for new family sedans if only because it is the only one to offer 3 years/36,000 free maintenance. But remember, that deal doesn't include BMW-like tires and brakes.

For the fuel efficiency minded who don't like all of the driving enjoyment trade-offs that come with a hybrid, VW is now offering its first midsize family sedan with its acclaimed 31 city/43 highway 2.0 liter TDI turbodiesel engine mated either to a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed DSG double clutch self-shifter.

The base 2.5 liter 2012 Passat is available only with a five-speed manual or a more traditional 6-speed automatic that is perfectly competent but takes a bit away from the spirited driving feel inherent to the 2012 Passat. For the true sporting Passat driver, there is really only one choice--the free revving and powerful 3.6 liter 280 horsepower/253 lb. feet of torque which tops the lineup of German sports sedans in pricing (starts at $28,995 with the TDI starting at $25,995) all engineered to work through a ridiculously telepathic 6-speed DSG double clutch auto that returns 20 miles per gallon city/28 highway.

Now, while my personal choice in 2012 VW Passat would very doubtfully be the base 2.5 liter engine model, that unit is just as competitive with basic versions of Altima, Accord and Camry that you really don't have to spend more. If you decide to equip your Passat with one of the easy to pick option packages attached to each engine choice, you will essentially be adding full leather seats, larger alloys, power front heated seats, a moonroof, in-dash navigation and a premium Fender Audio system which funnels the majority of the sound to the front of the car to mimic a rock concert.

On that last count, regular VW audio systems have always been excellent and the Fender system really can be a bit off-putting at first. I would like to live with this audio system for a week to see if it grows on me during a road test but one thing is already clear--this American made 2012 VW Passat may have been born in the heartland but at its core it still speaks fluent Volkswagen. And you will know how important that truly is when you have owned a really, really good one.

Source: VW USA

All Photos by: James Hamel