Review: 2020 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T SEL

The original Passat was launched by the German automobile maker Volkswagen in 1973 to accommodate growing families. At the time, it could be purchased as a two-door coupe, a four-door family sedan, and a two- or four-door hatchback for those families that traveled long distances. Today, the Passat is in its eighth edition as the original nameplate and second generation as the new NMS moniker that was adopted back in 2011 to reach over 800,000 North America car buyers.

Power Train

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat NMS has been completely redesigned inside and out after eight years, but will still utilize 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection EA888 engine that produces 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. It will still be a front wheel drive sedan that moves that turbocharged power to the wheels through the standard 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic® shifting. The R-Line models will offer paddle shifters for those individuals who still want to have a bit of sports car feel. All this turbocharged fun will produce a respectable EPA-estimate of 23 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined.

Exterior Sheet Metal Redesign

When you walk up to the new 2020 Passat, you will immediately notice that it stands out from the rest of the midsize sedan competitors in the grocery store parking lot with its bolder sophisticated look and 1970's coupe-like roofline. To add to the more dynamic stance, the SEL model (pictured) will come standard with 18-inch five-spoke two-tone wheels and 235/45/R18 tires.

Interior Facelift

The overall redesign of the interior, as well as a new coupe-like driver cockpit, demonstrates a sophistication and quality that isn't typically found in sedans at this price point. The cockpit was thought out in such a way that it emphasizes the driver's interior space while complementing the new more contemporary instrument panel and trapezoidal glass-covered 6.3-inch capacitive touchscreen display. This new type of glass infotainment system utilizes a capacitive-touch sensor (as in smartphone and tablet technology) rather than the more common resistive touchscreens that require finger pressure. The new designs pull all the sophisticated elements together to give the Passat an updated and upscale look.

Comfort has not been forgotten or shuttled for style. The base-level S models come with cloth seats in sporty Titan Black. The SE trims will upgrade to V-Tex leatherette, which will offered in Titan Black, Shetland Beige, and Mauro Brown. The R-Line trims also adopt the V-Tex, with two color options: Titan Black and two-tone Titan Black and Shetland Beige. And finally, the SEL models feature the same color scheme as SE models, but will offer leather heated seats for front and rear passengers. You can't do a sophisticated redesign without upgrading the technology to meet the high standard that was set. SEL models will offer a Fender® Premium Audio that will feature a 400-watt audio system with eight speakers and a separate subwoofer. This full encapsulating sound will have passengers feeling like they are listening to the music in person.

Fun Feature: Parking Assist

We have all seen the commercials where the car owner is able to find the perfect parallel parking spot and with the flip of a switch can park their car with ease. Well the SEL models comes standard with that parallel parking technology; but in today's big box world, there are far more opportunities to park head-in or at an angle than parallel. So instead of offering up your worldly positions to the parking lot gods to find a parking spot at the grocery store, the mall, or a big box store, the Passat SEL will allow you to activate a scan system that will actively scan the left and right sides of the vehicle looking for parking spots while you keep your eyes on the road. This new technology is obviously convenient as it allows you to safely focus on pedestrians without missing an open parking spot. But this system does not just find you a spot, it will automatically help steer the vehicle into that found parking space. With parking spots appearing to get narrower and narrower with each passing year, this parking technology will make those Christmas shopping trips less stressful.

Key Safety Features

The Passat, like so many other vehicles on the road today, provides a combination of both passive and active safety systems. That list of features is longer than my arm, so I decided instead of listing them all out; I would focus on a couple that I thought were most the important in high risk scenarios. The Passat features six airbags as standard (front and side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions, so everyone in the vehicle is protected from an impact from any direction. In case of a serious crash, the Passat also includes Volkswagen's Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collisions. In those moments of confusion, it is nice to know your vehicle has mitigated the potential of a fire, alerted other motorists there has been a crash and to proceed towards you with caution, and unlocked the all the doors so everyone can immediately evacuate the vehicle.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat will be available in four trim levels and is expected at U.S. Volkswagen dealers nationwide. Pricing starts at $22,995 MSRP for the Passat S with the standard 2.0T engine and 6-speed automatic transmission.

Specs & Details

Engine: 174 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection EA888
Torque: 206 pound-feet
Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic shifting
Sound: Fender Premium Audio
Fuel Economy: 23/34/27 (mpg city/highway/combined)
MSRP: Starts at $22,995

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
Volkswagen | Passat

ABOUT VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, one of the world's leading automobile manufacturers and the largest carmaker in Europe. It operates a manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee and houses the U.S. operations of a worldwide family of distinguished and exciting brands including Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Volkswagen, as well as VW Credit, Inc. Founded in 1955, Volkswagen Group of America brings vehicles to the U.S. that marry the science of engineering and the art of styling, with the goal of offering attractive, safe, and eco-conscious automobiles that are competitive and set world standards in their respective classes. Headquartered in Herndon, Va., the company has approximately 8,000 employees in the United States and sells its vehicles through a 1,000-strong dealer network.