- sedan 91,985
- 1,717 below average
- 8,940 good
- Yakima, WA
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,717 below average sedan 91,985 silver
2012 volkswagen passat review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Redesigned and launched with aggressive pricing, the new passat is built at an assembly plant volkswagen opened in 2011 at chattanooga, tennessee. More than just building the car here, though, vw wants shoppers to consider the new passat along side the toyota camry, honda accord, ford fusion, chevrolet malibu, and hyundai sonata. Volkswagen's goal was to make the passat the most american of any car vw builds. In large part, vw has succeeded, in some ways maybe too well. the first eye-catching feature of the 2012 passat is its price, with the base passat 2. 5l s starting at $19,995, which is lower than any of its prime competitors, even the aggressively priced and marketed hyundai sonata, which opens at $20,145. The new passat, though, delivers some unexpected features in that base model, among the more interesting being automatic dual-zone climate control and bluetooth connectivity. Passat 2. 5l se is available with a gps-based, touch-screen navigation system, although adding in all the other features needed to get to that one brings the price to $26,795. The passat 2. 5l models come with a 170-horspower, 2. 5-liter, inline five cylinder with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. also available in the new passat is a turbocharged diesel, which vw monikers as the tdi and is unique in the market segment. The passat tdi se boasts an epa miles-per-gallon rating of 31/43 mpg city/highway, which is tops for the segment (except for the hybrid-powered hyundai sonata and ford fusion). The passat tdi can be fitted with vw's slick direct-shift gearbox, or dsg, which is a twin-clutch, 6-speed manual transmission that shifts electronically, sans clutch pedal. the top of the line passat 3. 6l comes standard with the dsg and a vw-exclusive, 400-watt fender sound system. Leather, navigation system, sunroof and keyless push button start/stop, along with some other semi-luxury features are available. when we drove the new passats, we found the ride quality comfortable without being soft, well tuned for american interstates. Handling is what most drivers expect from a mainstream, midsize sedan, as in, predictable and forgiving, properly suited for the ins and outs of the daily commute. the new passat's styling is understated, nothing really remarkable, but with enough trademark vw design cues to distinguish it from something imported from japan or from detroit. Its visual proportions obscure somewhat its interior roominess, where it claims best in class rear seat leg room, an accommodation that receives too little consideration in most mainstream sedans. fit and finish has that teutonic feel, with tight tolerances and quality materials. Nothing flashy, just solid, functional controls and easy to read gauges communicating the essential data about the car's mechanicals and electronics. The optional wood grain looks better than the real wood in some higher priced cars. Visibility is good, although there's a bit of blockage out the rear due to the standard three rear seat head restraints. all of these are strong points for this new passat, which volkswagen designed and developed just for the american market. It will not be sold in germany, which continues to get the euro-spec passat. This should appeal to americans' ego, which no doubt is part of vw's grand scheme. In addition to which, as noted, the new passat has a smoother, quieter and more genteel ride. Its styling is less severe. Its interior has softer tones and lower contrasts. This should appeal to the majority of americans, who look at cars as much as means of transportation as expressions of individuality. but this also means that america will no longer get the german version, and some vw fans no doubt will be the lesser for it. Passat 2. 5l s 19,995) includes automatic, dual-zone climate control system and bluetooth connectivity. Among the other standard features are an am/fm/cd stereo with six speakers and auxiliary input; power door locks, windows and outside mirrors; 8-way manual driver's seat; steering wheel-mounted audio controls; cruise control; padded center console with storage bin; and 215/60r16 all-seasons on steel wheels. Optional is an appearance package 2,695) that replaces the manual transmission with the automatic and the steel wheels with alloys and adds a fold-down, rear center console with storage bin. passat 2. 5l se 23, 725) gets leatherette upholstery; 8-way power driver's seat; heated front seats; premium stereo with color touch screen, eight speakers, 6-cd changer, mp3 capability, sd-card slot and 3-month trial satellite radio subscription; multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel; aluminum dash trim and middle console; exterior chrome window trim; sliding front center console; and 215/55r17 all-seasons on alloy wheels. Options start with the automatic transmission 1,100), then a sunroof 800) and finally a navigation system with 5-inch touch screen and usb and auxiliary inputs 1,170). passat 2. 5l sel 28,395) upgrades further with a navigation system and a 400-watt, 9-speaker fender audio system with 6. 5-inch color touch screen and 30-gb hdd; push-button start; programmable garage and gate remote; front sport seats; chrome and wood grain interior accents; and chrome exterior accents. Optional is a premium package 1,500), with leather seating surfaces; keyless access and remote start; fog lights; 3-setting driver seat memory; and 8-way power passenger seat. passat tdi se 25,995) comes with the same accouterments as the 2. 5l se. The sunroof and dsg are packaged as an option 1,900), as are the navigation system with usb and auxiliary inputs; the fog lights; the exterior chrome accents; and 235/45r18 all-seasons on alloy wheels 1,600). The passat tdi sel 32,195) has leather seating; the sport seats; keyless access and remote start; the upgraded navigation/fender audio system; driver seat memory; wood grain interior trim; 8-way power passenger seat; and interior chrome accents. passat 3. 6l se 28,995) starts with the dsg; the leatherette seating; sunroof; 8-way power driver's seat; heated front seats; sport seats; touch screen radio with the fender audio system; multi-function, leather-wrapped steering wheel; aluminum-trim dash and center console; exterior chrome window trim; dual exhaust with chrome tips; fog lights; sliding front center console cover; and 235/45r18 all-seasons on alloy wheels. A navigation system plus usb and auxiliary inputs and exterior chrome accents can add 1,600) is also available. The passat 3. 6 sel 32,950) adds leather seats; keyless entry and remote start; the upgraded navigation system; driver seat memory; wood grain interior accents; 8-way power passenger seat; and interior chrome accents. safety features include six airbags (frontal, front seat side and side curtain); antilock brakes with brake assist; electronic stability control; and rear seat child safety seat anchors (latch). Also standard is vw's integrated crash response system that cuts off the fuel supply, turns on the hazard flashers and unlocks the doors when seatbelts pre-tension or on airbag deployment. walkaroundsimply put, anybody who liked the looks of the 2010 passat will like the 2012. Vw's designers say they were trying for a timeless look; if that means very little change, they succeeded. Not that's it's unattractive, only that it's not going to turn many heads, let alone snap a neck or two, neither of which it managed over a day's driving from chattanooga, tennessee, where it's built, to nashville though some delightfully green and scenic countryside, including a brief dip into georgia. the motif for the front end was horizontal-ness, according to the designers. The inverted trapezoidal chrome grille surround of the previous passat is gone, replaced by the passat's version of vw's new trademark façade: the traditional vw logo centered on a simple array of three chrome-like bars bracketed by trapezium-shaped headlamp units. A bold bumper splits the fascia atop a full-width lower intake with floating wing-like braces at each end that, depending on model and trim level, give the look of cooling ducts for the front brakes or house squat fog lights. No logo or other identifiers break up otherwise mostly generic expanses of sheet metal. Wrap around headlamp housings de-emphasize the front overhang. An understated character line crease runs from the trailing edge of the headlamp housings rearward across the doors slightly above the full-round door handles and ending in the leading edge of the wrap around taillight housing. Defined blisters outline circular tire wells.
8,940 Yakima, WAYakima, WA at autoshopper.com