Designed specifically for American drivers—and built in America, too—the all-new Volkswagen Passat was recognized as Motor Trend’s 2012 Car of the Year during a ceremony held during the first day of the Los Angeles Auto Show.
And notably, the Passat proved to be a particularly well-rounded choice, with MT editors’ praising its performance in a wide range of areas, such as:
- Design—“[L]ike the Audi [A6], what is remarkable is the restraint shown with the handling of the design.
- Clean, beautiful surfaces have been refined for an engaging result.”
- Engineering—“[The Passat’s standard engine is] the best-tamed VW I5 application ever. … A fine choice for middle America in real-world driving conditions.”
- Efficiency—“It should surprise no one that over the course of 11 mixed-driving loops, our diesel Passat recorded the highest fuel economy stats of this year’s finalists at 34.3 mpg.”
- Safety—After noting the Passat’s segment-competitive safety attributes, MT put the focus on how the car’s chassis was tuned to keep drivers out of trouble in the first place; compared to the new Toyota Camry, the
- Passat “evinced 100-percent German DNA with better body-motion control, less tire noise, and more eager dynamics in every situation.”
Motor Trend also indicated the Passat was an ideal family choice, with enough room in the rear to make it feel “like a limo in back,” plenty of trunk space and a high-value MSRP that starts at $19,995.
“Volkswagen is extremely proud to receive this honor,” said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO of Volkswagen of America. “This recognition from Motor Trend is a testament to the engineering integrity of the Passat and validates our strategy of providing a US-built, German engineered mid-size sedan at a price in the heart of the mid-size segment.”
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