Keep the
2017 Volkswagen Passat in mind if shopping for a mid-size sedan with full-size leg room in row two. It's just one of many pleasantries inside this front-wheel drive four door vehicle.
Another notable perk; buy a new 2017 Passat and Volkswagen throws in 24-hour roadside assistance (towing, jump starts, out-of-fuel situations) for three years.
Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker, christened its first U.S. assembly campus in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2011, churning out the all-new-at-the-time sixth-generation Passat.
Generation One debuted long ago in 1974. Back then, VW's marketing team dubbed its mid-sized sedan 'Dasher' in the U.S. (but Passat in other corners of the globe). The second-generation (1982-1988) underwent yet another name tweak here in the U.S., the 'Quantum.' By Generation Three (1990-1997), Volkswagen introduced the 'Passat' moniker here in the U.S. conforming to the rest of the planet.
Passats rolling off the Chattanooga line are specifically tailored for sales in the North American market with nuances unique from those sold in Europe and elsewhere. In 2016, Tennessee-built Passat's received an exterior refresh including slimmer headlight housing. Major underpinnings remain relatively unchanged from the 2012 model year.
Passat was the sole resident at the Chattanooga plant until late last year when the all-new, three-row 2018 Atlas crossover began rolling off the assembly line.
Passat enjoyed a huge leap forward in sales volume since its 2012 redesign. Sales in 2011 checked in at a paltry 22,835. Fast forward to the 2016 calendar year, and Volkswagen sold 73,002 units.
Not only did the 2012 Passat redesign zero in on U.S. consumer desires and needs, pricing was slashed significantly, bringing Passat in line with mid-size rivals. Despite the mid-size status, Passat checks in as the largest sedan in VW's U.S. lineup.
Passat trim levels include: S, SE, R-Line and SEL. Two engines return unchanged from the past several years: S, SE and R-Line come standard with a 1.8-liter turbo engine cranking out 170 horsepower.
Continuing as standard in SEL and newly optional in SE for the 2017 model year; a naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) 3.6-liter V-6 delivering 280 horsepower. Both connect to a six-speed automatic transmission with the V-6 featuring fuel-saving dual-clutch technology.
Another 2017 update: forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking come standard across all trims.
Passat's successful 2012 Chattanooga launch would benefit from a sooner-rather-than-later next-generation effort to keep pace with heated competition. Not long ago, complete revamps easily sufficed
for a decade. Time lines are shrinking as some manufacturers have cut the decade wait almost in half. The venerable Camry, the best-selling passenger car the past 15 years here in the States, undergoes an eighth-generation redo in the 2018 model year. Gen Seven ran from the 2012 to 2017 model years.
Passat pricing starts at $22,440 for the entry S trim. The top-trim SEL Premium, our tester, comes with all available bells and whistles with few decisions to make, other than exterior color schemes, had a $33,995 starting price. After $820 destination charge, the bottom line totaled $34,815.
A small dial high upon the driver's door just ahead of the small pull handle monitors both side view mirrors. Push-button start resides near the floor-mounted automatic transmission shifter, a smart, direct access location away from the dashboard and steering wheel interference.
The straight-across, two-tone dashboard resists the temptation of a multi-layered, serpentine structure. The easily glance-able instrument panel rocks old-school as well with two large, deep set analog gauges and center information window.
Always welcome is the never-out-of-style analog clock centering the middle dash flanked by horizontal air vents. Front bucket seats return well-padded and supportive. Our SEL included lumbar support benefitting aging lower backs. Wind noise is apparent at highway speeds. A relatively low exterior side belt line creates larger side windows, minimizing blind spots.
The medium-sized 6.3-inch-inch multi-function, color touch screen resides below the face clock and features VW's second-generation of its user-friendly infotainment network known as MIB (Modular Infotainment Platform). Available in most trims and standard in SEL; VW's MIB II offers compatible Smartphone integration with Apple's Car Play, Android's Auto and MirrorLink.
Drivers and passengers enjoy handy and welcome twist knobs to monitor audio volume and station selection. Below, three medium-sized dials ease changes in most ventilation functions (dual front temperature zones and fan speed) with buttons atop monitoring fan direction. A cove below with flip-down door makes an ideal home to a 12-volt power outlet and auxiliary ports for juicing and hooking up portable electronics interacting with MIB. Another 12-volt outlet resides inside the square arm rest.
Outside, the highly recognizable, stacked, V-atop-a-W circular logo takes center stage up front, flanked by a narrow theme of two horizontal strips (with a half-dozen, small, thin vertical bars shading behind) extending to just-as-narrow headlight housing.
Below the headlight beams, a dozen or so tiny amber-colored, LED jewel-like turn signal lights. The same amber color is found on secondary side-view mirror turn signal stripes. A long, narrow lower air dam adds a visual balance. Strap-like door handles adorn all four doors. It's a pleasing, conservative design few would deem polarizing.
The trunk's long, deep design provides a cargo area seemingly larger than its already generous 15.9 cubic feet. Rear seatbacks fold down with a 60/40 split, maximizing cargo options. Trunk-located pull-tabs unlock backrests.
Regular unleaded fuel suffices for the turbo four-cylinder, while the naturally-aspirated V-6 recommends premium unleaded to reach maximum potential (although 87-octane is allowed). Fuel economy in our V-6 tester registered 20 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway. Add three more miles in city and six highway with the four-cylinder turbo.
Passat currently offers no gas-electric hybrid or all-electric plug-in vehicles in its U.S. fleet, but is developing and tweaking plug-in technology with plans to deliver sooner rather than later. Currently, higher-compression diesel engines pimp up mileage output. Volkswagen offers a Passat with diesel-powered engines in markets outside the U.S. But VW's hard push for diesel ran into public relations detour.
Beginning in the fall of 2015, VW found itself contending with a self-inflicted migraine. At issue; high-mileage diesel engines (primarily under hood of compact Golfs, Jettas and Beetles here in the States) incorporated onboard software programing masking particulate pollutant output.
In short, higher levels of Nitrogen Oxide emissions were being released into the atmosphere then permitted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Roughly 483,000 four-cylinder TDI diesel vehicles from 2010 to 2015 sold in the U.S. are affected.
The good news? Volkswagen dealers are 'inspired' to make nice by offering the best experience possible for potential consumers.
At a glance
Price as tested: $34,815
Engine: 3.6-liter V-6
Horsepower: 280
Wheelbase: 110.4 inches
Overall length: 191.9 inches
Overall Height: 58.5 inches
Overall width: 72.2 inches
Curb weight: 3,571 pounds
Fuel economy: 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000-miles
Assembly: Chattanooga Tennessee