The latest generation VW Passat , made famous by the little Darth Vader commercial, is now on sale in America starting at $19,995.
Considering the fact that the Passat is a well-built, well-equipped refined and cool German saloon, that price makes it good value. But you better wait a couple of month for Consumer Reports verdict on it. Passat’s little brother Jetta also had the same qualities, but CR named it a great disappointment after they tested it. So be careful.
On the paper every thing looks good about the new Passat. It comes with premium features, class-leading room inside the cabin and luggage space, and a range of four and six cylinder engines including the 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel model that averages 43 mpg and has a range of 800 miles on one tank.
Pricing details and options of each trim level:
| 2012 Passat Pricing | |||
| Model | Price | Features | |
| 2.5L – S (man) | $19,995 | 16″ steel wheels, six-speed manual transmission, Automatic dual-zone climate control, power locks & windows, body color mirror and door handles, Bluetooth connectivity, steering wheel audio controls, 8-way manual driver seat, center armrest w/integrated storage box | |
| 2.5L – S w Appearance
(auto) |
$22,690 | + Six-speed automatic transmission, 16″ alloy wheels, rear center armrest w/storage | |
| 2.5L – SE (man) | $23,725 | 17″ alloy wheels, V-Tex leatherette, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, touchscreen Premium VIII radio, Multi-Function leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum trim dash and middle console, exterior chrome window trim, sliding front center armrest | |
| 2.5L – SE (auto) | $24,825 | + Six-speed automatic transmission | |
| 2.5L – SE w Sunroof | $25,625 | + Sunroof | |
| 2.5L – SE w Sunroof/Navi | $26,795 | + RNS 315 Navigation with Mobile Device Interface (MDI) | |
| 2.5L – SEL | $28,395 | +RNS 510 Navigation, Fender Premium Audio System, Homelink, comfort sport seats, interior chrome accents, wood grain interior decor, exterior chrome accents | |
| 2.5L – SEL Premium | $29,895 | + leather seating surfaces, keyless access and remote start, fog lights, driver seat memory, 8-way power passenger seat | |
| TDI – SE | $25,995 | 17″ alloy wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, touchscreen Premium VIII radio, Multi-Function leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum trim dash and middle console, exterior chrome window trim, sliding front center armrest | |
| TDI – SE w Sunroof | $27,895 | + Six-speed DSG automatic transmission, sunroof | |
| TDI – SE w Sunroof/Navi | $29,495 | + 18″ alloy wheels, RNS 315 Navigation, Mobile Device Interface (MDI), fog lights, exterior chrome accents | |
| TDI – SEL Premium | $32,195 | +Leather seating surfaces, comfort sport seats, keyless access and remote start, RNS 510 Navigation, Fender Premium Audio System, driver seat memory, wood grain interior decor, 8-way power passenger seat, interior chrome accents | |
| 3.6L – SE w Sunroof | $28,995 | Six-speed DSG automatic transmission, 18″ alloy wheels, V-Tex leatherette seating, sunroof, 8-way power driver seat, heated front seats, comfort sports seats, touchscreen Premium VIII radio, Fender Premium Audio System, Multi-Function leather-wrapped steering wheel, aluminum trim dash and middle console, exterior chrome window trim, chrome dual exhaust, fog lights, sliding front center armrest | |
| 3.6L – SE w Sunroof/Navi | $30,595 | + RNS 315 Navigation, MDI, exterior chrome accents | |
| 3.6L – SEL Premium | $32,950 | Leather seating surfaces, keyless entry with remote start, RNS 510 navigation, driver seat memory, wood grain interior decor, 8-way power passenger seat, interior chrome accents | |
| Destination | $770 | All prices exclude destination. | |
