Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Of course, popularity rarely translates into best, at least not what’s best for every buyer in each automotive segment. For some, styling matters more than features, my Night Blue Metallic on Cornsilk Beige Passat tester looking pretty classy, and never forget that price plays a significant role when it comes to mass-market appeal. Also, some of the brands make their mid-size models available with special de-contented fleet packages that appeal to large companies and government agencies that buy in bulk, these numbers helping the car look more popular in the retail sector than it really is. Not factoring such differentials into the equation
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
To some it might surprise just how well the Passat does, especially considering that it’s always been pricier than its peers. Or has it? That statement would have been true four years ago, but since late 2011 when the entirely new and unique U.S.-built
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
To think the Passat’s newfound success is all about pricing wouldn’t be fair either. The
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
It was lengthened by 88 mm (3.5 inches) to 4,868 mm (191.6 inches) and rides on a 98-mm (3.8-inch) longer wheelbase that now stretches 2,803 mm (110.4 inches). It was also expanded 15 mm (0.6 inches) from side-to-side to measure 1,835 mm (72.2 inches), and received the exact same 15-mm (0.6-inch) increase in height to 1,487 mm (58.5 inches). The result is a wonderfully accommodating interior that fits large people as nicely
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Another big benefit continues to be a 48-litre (1.7 cubic-foot) larger trunk at 450 litres (15.9 cubic feet), while standard 60/40 split seatbacks allow stowage of longer cargo and an optional pass-through behind the flip-down rear armrest makes cargo options even more flexible.
Extra size is good, but what about weight? Oddly the bigger Passat lost 67 kilos (148 lbs) during its redesign due to the use of lighter materials such as aluminum and high-strength steel, the base car weighing in at just 1,436 kilograms (3,165 lbs) and the current 2015 model having gained just 3 kilos (6.6 lbs) over the last three
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
This lighter weight allowed VW to downgrade the base engine to meet its new price point and slightly improve its fuel economy rating, the old 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque replaced with a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre five-cylinder featuring 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. While acceptable, you don’t grow sales without improving product offerings, and I’ll guarantee the German brand isn’t satisfied with last year’s eighth-place mid-size sedan ranking. Therefore the entry-level 2015 Passat gets VW’s TSI treatment to the tune of 170 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, but more importantly
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
With the base model’s five-speed manual transmission the new turbocharged direct-injection 1.8 TSI is capable of a 9.8 L/100km city and 6.7 highway five-cycle EnerGuide rating, while the six-speed automatic ekes out an even thriftier 9.7 city and 6.6 highway. Considering the Passat’s accommodating size and well-equipped standard trim, such mileage is exceptional. You can do better at the pump with the available Passat TDI Clean Diesel or enjoy more performance from the Passat’s optional 280 horsepower 3.6L FSI V6, but this time around my focus is on this most basic model in its attractively priced, well-equipped top-tier Highline trim.
As
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Additional standard kit includes a host of premium-level features such as power windows
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Along with this list of upscale features the 2015 Passat Trendline gets yet more standard items that aren’t so unusual such as keyless remote entry, variable intermittent aero windshield wipers, eight-way driver and four-way passenger manually-adjustable cloth covered seats, Bluetooth phone connectivity, cruise control with active display, a multifunction trip computer, analog clock, digital compass, two 12-volt power outlets, a front centre armrest with storage, a folding centre armrest in the rear, front and rear carpeted floor mats, four tie-down cargo hooks in the trunk, an immobilizer theft deterrent system, an alarm system, chrome exterior window surrounds, and a diversity antenna (the last three items also
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Standard safety features include traction control and electronic stability control, plus four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, and emergency brake assist, as well as tire pressure monitoring. Additionally, the usual six airbags come standard.
Comfortline trim, which now starts at $26,695 plus freight, $1,280
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Comfortline buyers can upgrade their Passats with a $1,995 Technology package featuring a navigation upgrade for the infotainment system and a powerful
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Due to its winter preparation my top-line tester was shod in 17s on snows when it would have otherwise been clad with 18-inch Bristol alloys on 235/45R18s, while the base manual was swapped out for the optional six-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual shift mode as well as Sport mode, but that was about it for options as nothing else is offered from the factory in Highline trim. This said, at $31,295 for the manual and $32,970 with the automatic it featured some pretty upscale fittings such as ritzy chrome bumper inlays front and back,
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Volkswagen also provides a impressive array of dealer-added accessories, a short list including 17-inch twinned five-spoke Helix wheels for $1,212; 19-inch twinned five-spoke (but more like 10-spoke) Tornado wheels at $1,855; cool valve stem caps with tiny VW logos for $20; side skirts (primed and ready for paint) for $645; a rear lip spoiler (also primed) for $207; a rear valence with a left
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
While I would have enjoyed the 19-inch rims or some of the aerodynamic add-ons, or for that matter the Comfortline’s Sport Package, or even the regular 18s on my Highline tester, I made due with the 17s, the console-mounted shifter, regular rubberized pedals and supportive enough standard seats, even this Passat feeling sporty compared to most mid-size rivals thanks to a well-sorted fully independent German-engineered suspension with MacPherson struts, coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front, plus a multi-link setup with coil springs and an anti-roll bar in the rear. Its vehicle speed-proportional electromechanical power-assisted rack and pinion steering was light enough for easy maneuverability around town thanks to an 11.1-metre (36.4-foot)
Photo: Karen Tuggay, Canadian Auto Press |
Who would have thought such a Teutonic feeling four-door could come out of Chattanooga, Tennessee? VW might have Americanized its most recent Passat to appeal to more would-be North American buyers, the success it’s had in recent years proving it made the right choice, but in the end it’s a well-made mid-size sedan with sporty driving dynamics that keeps its German heritage fully intact. That it’s also wonderfully efficient is just a big bonus that should have you smiling all the way to the bank. Odd that more Canadian buyers haven’t figured this out, but if VW stays the course by continuing to deliver strong value in such a high quality package sales should grow in the years to come.
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