2012 Volkswagen Passat vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 7.8 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

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May 1, 2011

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat stretches the idea of what a VW sedan can be, from the place it's built to its big wheelbase.

In the same size and weight class, there's the current Honda Accord; it hasn't aged as well with its sometimes bizarre styling cues but there's an agility in the base four-cylinder Accord that can't be matched by any car of its size.

The Sonata and Optima are nearly cloned from the same mechanicals: take your pick of the swishy, swoopy Sonata or the vaguely more European Optima, and either way you're getting a huge value, great front-seat space, and standard features left off the base Passat, like a USB port and satellite radio.

The Chevrolet Impala's the granddad in this group, but its immense trunk and cheap street pricing make it worth a look--but while you're looking, the latest Toyota Avalon also excels at the kind of syrupy, plush progress that's the stark opposite of the spare new Passat.

2012 Volkswagen Passat Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Chevrolet Impala Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Honda Accord Sedan Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Hyundai Sonata Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Kia Optima Get FREE Price Quote	2012 Toyota Avalon Get FREE Price Quote
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
7.8 A massive rear seat and better-than-hybrid highway fuel economy mask the slight loss of refinement and nimble road feel in the 2012 Volkswagen Passat.	6.6 The 2012 Impala has a dated design and lacks excitement, but a stronger, smoother powertrain should make its simple layout and excellent interior space more palatable.	8.2 Though the 2012 Honda Accord now has one of the more dated four-door sedan designs--and Bluetooth connectivity remains hard to get--its comfortable interior and perky, refined performance hit the sweet spot for families.	8.6 After more than a decade on the market, the latest Hyundai Sonata's an overnight success--thanks to great gas mileage, grabby styling, and exceptional value for the dollar.	8.6 The basics don't have to be boring: the 2012 Kia Optima evades design and driving boredom with suave looks, good performance and great gas mileage and features.	8 A classy, comfortable near-luxury sedan, the 2012 Toyota Avalon has a more modern look but traditional big-car handling and smooth performance.
MSRP From
$20,590	$25,760	$21,480	$19,795	$19,500	$33,195
Gas Mileage
20 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy	18 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy	20 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy	22 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas I5	Gas V6	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas I4	Gas V6
EPA Class
Mid-Size	Large Cars	Large	Large Cars	Midsize Cars	Large
Style Name
4-Door Sedan 2.5L Manual S	4-Door Sedan LS Retail	4-Door I4 Man LX	4-Door Sedan 2.4L Man GLS	4-Door Sedan 2.4L Man LX	4-Door Sedan (Natl)
Drivetrain
Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door Sdn	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Manual	Automatic	Manual	Manual	Manual	Automatic