Volkswagen Passat dimensions

Developed and engineered in Germany but made in America for Americans, the refactored 2012 Volkswagen Passat deserves serious consideration from midsize family sedan shoppers. Volkswagen Passat Diesel offers the following pros: Spacious backseat; available economical turbodiesel engine; many upscale features come standard; luxury cab. Volkswagen Passat Diesel drawbacks are: Ho-hum performance with 2. 5-liter engine; below-average braking distances; offset pedals.

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan is provided in three broad models broken down by motor (2. 5L, TDI and 3. 6L), which are further subdivided into a trio of various versions (S, SE and SEL).

The lineup starts with the "s" base model (2. 5L only), which comes traditional with 16-inch metal wheels, keyless entry, full performance accessories, automatic dual-zone conditioning, Bluetooth, an eight-way manual driver bench, a tilt-and-telescoping helm, helm stereo controls, and an eight-speaker audio system with a CD player and an optional stereo input. An available Look suite adds a six-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels and a rear-seat center armrest.

Move up to the SE trim level and you get 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome look trim, a six-way performance driver bench, heated front seatings, leatherette luxury vinyl upholstery, a sliding front armrest and a touchscreen stereo interface. Features on SE models include a sunroof and a navigator, while TDI SE consumers can add 18-inch alloy wheels and foglights as well. The 3. 6L SE comes traditional with these features, except the navigator, which remains auxillary. A nine-speaker Fender stereo system is also included.

The 2. 5L SEL adds updated front seatings, the Fender audio system and an updated navigator. The SEL Luxury suite adds keyless ignition/entry, remote ignition, foglights, a performance passenger bench, driver memory functions and leather/faux suede upholstery. Both the TDI and 3. 6L can also be had in SEL guise, but the Luxury suite is mandatory. .