Just the right amount of ‘new’ polish to show off this gem
When is a new car really new? That question might be on the minds of new-car buyers as they scope out the 2020 Volkswagen Passat now arriving in showrooms.
The Passat could be called a secondtier midsize sedan, meaning it falls below the line in popularity compared with top-rung models such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and the Nissan Altima. But with increasing preferences for utility vehicles, few if any of these class members are experiencing upticks in sales.
For the Passat’s first redesign of any significance since the 2012 model year, VW has chosen to rework the car in subtle ways. Most body panels, including the hood, fenders and door-panel skins, are new, and the headlights and taillights are more elegantly shaped. But what’s most noticeable is the enlarged and aggressive-looking grille as well as the swept-back roofline that Volkswagen now considers “coupe-like.”
The net effect is a sedan that’s more attractive while still retaining its longstanding understated appearance.
Revisions to the Passat’s passenger compartment are a bit more obvious. There’s a new control panel that looks decidedly high style. Only the gauges and the 6.3-inch driver-information screen interrupt the ventilation outlets, which extend ribbon-like across the full width of the dashboard. A new glass-covered 6.3-inch touch-screen has also been installed and comes with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
Beneath the sheetmetal, the Passat remains unaltered, meaning all key measurements — length, width, trunk room and distance between the front and rear wheels — closely mirror those of the outgoing sedan.
Most models in the Passat’s class offer two or more powertrain options (including hybrid choices) and some even make all-wheel-drive available. The Passat offers only a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 174 horsepower. For 2020, there’s a new torque converter for the transmission plus software updates for the engine’s electronic controls. Torque output increases to 206 pound-feet from 184.
Carrying over is the six-speed automatic transmission that directs power to the front wheels.
Fuel economy is rated at 23 mpg in the city, 34 on the highway and 27 combined.
The 2020 Passat starts at $23,900, including destination charges, for the base S trim. It includes the basics plus a number of dynamic-safety technologies such as automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection plus rear-traffic backup alert. Also included is blind-spot monitoring that alerts when other vehicles are approaching from the rear in adjacent lanes.
The SE comes with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats (power-operated for the driver), leatherette upholstery (instead of
cloth) and more exterior trim. SE buyers also get lane-keeping assist plus adaptive cruise control that maintains a safe distance to the vehicle in front.
The R-Line is mostly about providing a sportier look. It comes with blacked-out front air intakes, but other more substantial features make the grade, such as a power sunroof, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and 19-inch wheels (17s are standard).
The top-of-the-line Passat SEL rings in at $32,000, but it’s loaded with a power passenger seat and heated rear seats (all seats are leather covered), automatic high-beam headlights, navigation and premium Fender-brand audio. Also included is Parking Steering Assist. When engaged, it can automatically maneuver the Passat into either a parallel or right angle (i.e. parking lot) space while the driver controls only the accelerator and brake pedals.
Not to be overlooked is perhaps the Passat’s most significant feature: a six-year/72,000-mile comprehensive warranty, which bests competitors’ coverage by as much as three years.
Ultimately, it probably doesn’t matter if the Passat is considered entirely new or merely revised. What counts most is the sedan’s style, roominess, content, economy of operation and price point. With these virtues, the Passat stands a better chance of ending up in more driveways.