Volkswagen’s Passat used to be America’s discount Audi but that left the people’s car brand without a direct competitor to the Camry and Accord. In stepped the new Passat in 2012 which changed everything. Instead of selling the same Passat in America and Europe VW decided to harmonize development between China and America sending us one sedan and keeping a very different Passat in Europe. The strategy worked in 2012 but five years later the competition has moved on in this cut-throat segment leaving the Passat behind. A refresh in 2016 and the addition of auto braking tech and CarPlay help soften the blow but the new Camry, Accord and Sonata are fresher faces loaded with the latest features customers are demanding.
0-30: 3.2 Seconds
0-60: 8 Seconds
1/4 Mile: 16.2 Sec @ 88 MPH
60-0 Braking: 124 Feet