The 2016 Volkswagen Passat grabs a major honor

Jun 20, 2016

Volkswagen went to great lengths to improve their midsize sedan for 2016, and it looks like those efforts have paid off. Cars.com has given the Passat the nod as “best in class” this year. The Passat was not lacking by any stretch coming into the year, as in 2014 it ranked third among midsize sedans. But, with a few upgrades, it has climbed to the top of the mountain.

What’s new?

First of all, there’s the styling. “We applied a progressive design strategy with the new Passat,” said Klaus Bischoff, Head of Design, Volkswagen. ”We have integrated several new design elements, including a sculpted, domed hood that significantly sets the car apart from its predecessor.” The result is a more sophisticated, bolder look.

Secondly, slimmer, LED headlights, a more substantial fully chromed four-bar grille, and the muscular hood all work together to give the Passat a wider, more planted stance from the front. This is the first time that LED headlights have been offered on a VW sedan in the U.S. market. Available on every trim level, the LEDs help provide better lighting performance with reduced energy consumption.

Inside, the Passat delivers plenty of space for five adults. There’s also a new dashboard and center console, along with integrated two-tone decor panels. The top of the dashboard is structured with sharper contours and a sculpture line, acting to frame the elements underneath. Also, the driver’s seat adjusts eight ways, including lumbar, and eight-way power adjustable seats are available for R-Line models and up.

Then there’s the info-tainment system. With touchscreens as standard equipment on all models, offering an impressive range of features. On most models, the display utilizes a capacitive touch sensor (similar to smartphone and tablet technology) that enables gesture controls like swiping and pinch-zooming, as opposed to resistive touchscreens that require pressure and have slightly longer response times. USB and Bluetooth® connectivity for compatible devices are standard on all 2016 Passat models. Drivers who have two phones can connect them at the same time and are able to make and receive calls on each. The info-tainment system also serves as the foundation for Volkswagen’s available Car-Net®, one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry. Car-Net features include App-Connect technology which allows integration with three major smartphone platforms—Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™ and MirrorLink®—allowing seamless integration for compatible smartphones.

All of these elements were noticed by the judges at cars.com.

What did cars.com say about the new Passat?

There was no shortage of individual praise to accompany the overall ranking of best midsize sedan. “This one’s fun,” Ryan Small, an in-market shopper said. “The power is more accessible because you don’t have to drop it into Sport mode or Manual to use it.”

“Outstanding driving performance,” Aaron Bragman, Cars.com Detroit bureau chief raved. “Quick acceleration, solid steering, strong brakes and an utter lack of road or engine noise around town.”

When it comes to safety, the quote that really hit home with us was one that reflects the meaning behind the name Volkswagen (the people’s car). “The collision-avoidance system with emergency braking is standard on the Passat,” Fred Meier, Cars.com Washington, D.C., bureau chief pointed out, “not an option or bundled into an expensive package.” Meier also took note of the improvements to the info-tainment system saying, “The integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto add features and help future-proof the multimedia technology.”

Meier wasn’t the only one who noticed those upgrades. Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com assistant managing editor, made mention of the usability by all smart phone owners. “Many automakers keep saying that their cars will eventually be equipped with both CarPlay and Android Auto, but few have delivered,” Geiger said. “The Passat works well with both integration systems.”

Brian Robinson, PBS’ “MotorWeek” producer took note of the roominess throughout. “Even though you know it’s very roomy inside, the amount of rear-seat space will still surprise you.”

Once the judging was complete, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat beat out the Hyundai Sonata, the Subaru Legacy, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Honda Accord, the Kia Optima, the Nissan Altima, and the Toyota Camry. If you’re in the market for a midsize sedan, you may want to learn more about what the Passat has to offer.