Introduced for 2012, Volkswagen's midsized sedan was redesigned and optimized for the American market. In other words, it grew larger than most of its competitors, lost some of that crisp European driving feel and became less expensive.
Passat buyers who prioritize fuel economy tended to go with the diesel-powered Passat TDI, delivering an excellent 37 mpg overall in our testing. While very efficient for this amount of space, the Passat TDI isn't a runaway fuel economy champ. It only beats the most efficient non-hybrid midsized sedans by four or five mpg overall. Where the Passat TDI really shines is on long highway road trips, with an amazing 51 mpg.
On the road, the Passat feels solid and satisfying, with reasonably agile handling, a comfortable ride and a very quiet cabin. Inside, drivers will find oodles of space, simple controls, good outward visibility and a comfortable driving position. Still though, fit and finish aren't that impressive. The car is also a bit stingy with standard features. Seats are large and supportive, even over the long haul, but some staffers found them to be too hard. Rear-seat and trunk room are supremely generous, equaling some large sedans. The Passat's upright stance provides easy cabin access and good outward visibility.