2020 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat marks the latest refresh of a midsize family sedan that dates back to the 2012 model year. It's a significant refresh to be sure, with new exterior and interior designs, but the bones are the same. Nevertheless, the car holds up well enough with a quiet, spacious cabin, soft ride and responsive turbocharged engine. That engine isn’t the most powerful, but its deep well of turbocharged torque makes it feel stronger than many entry-level engines while providing better fuel economy than other sedans’ larger turbo engines and V6s. Its updated styling makes it feel more modern and upscale than past models, too. That said, even if the Passat is improved, it remains behind numerous class leaders than have recently undergone a complete aesthetic and mechanical overhaul, including the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, both of which offer comparable space as the Passat, but with better handling, more powertrain options and high-quality cabins. There are also more stylish choices with near-luxury cabins (something older Passat generations offered), including the Mazda6 and Hyundai Sonata. So there are stronger choices, but the Passat still offers a lot of value. Its price undercuts many rivals, its massive cabin is well-equipped and VW offers a longer warranty than most rivals. What's new for 2020? The 2020 model year marks a major facelift for the Passat. All exterior panels except the roof and A-pillars have been redesigned. The interior has been given a major refresh, too. The engine is carry-over, but it makes more torque than the previous model year. Volkswagen has expanded the trim lineup to S, SE, R-Line and SEL, rather than the two trims of 2019, Wolfsburg and SE R-Line. The expanded trim lineup also means the Passat has a lower starting price than the 2019 model year: $23,915 versus $26,190. What's the Passat's interior and in-car technology like? The 2020 Passat’s interior is significantly more stylish than the simpler, more utilitarian previous model. Trim connects the air vents to make them appear as though they stretch the full width of the dashboard. It’s also paired with more prominent contrasting trim that can be faux aluminum or faux wood depending on trim level (the SE is pictured above). Although everything fits well, the materials are just middle of the road with lots of hard plastic, and in general, the cabins of most rivals are superior in terms of both materials quality and eye-pleasing design. No matter what trim level of Passat you choose, you’ll get a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It’s similar to what’s found in other Volkswagens, and it’s responsive and simple to use. It's also smaller than what you'd find in many competitors and located pretty low by current standards. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but satellite navigation only comes on the top-level SEL trim in which it’s a standard feature. The SEL also gets an upgraded sound system while all other trims make do with the standard six-speaker system. How big is the Passat? The …
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