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2012 Volkswagen Passat Six-Month Road Test: 45.9 Miles Per Gallon, And Less Page 2

3 5,601 views Sep 6, 2012
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2013 Volkswagen Passat

So far, we're utterly convinced of the beauty of the TDI's vast driving range. We've had no problem exceeding the EPA's highway economy figures--something we can't say of our personally-owned hybrid hatchback.

We've observed that lackluster hybrid gas mileage in brand-new vehicles, too. But that could change in the coming year, as new gas-electric sedans are rated much higher on both sides of the EPA cycle. That means they could net out substantially higher than the Passat TDI as a result. Looking ahead, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is estimated at 47/44 mpg or 46 mpg combined, and there's a 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid yet to come.

That's a challenge to study at a later date. For our Passat TDI, there's just more interstate mileage to be logged. With no scheduled services in sight we're planning another long trip down I-85, or maybe a banzai run all the way down I-95, and points south.


Stay with us for more on our Six-Month Road Test Passat as we make that run, and take it for a comparison test against some of this year's North American Car of the Year nominees.

If you have questions you want answered, let us know in the comments below. And for the latest information including pricing with options, see our full review of the 2013 VW Passat--and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.



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Comments (3)

  1. 3D7DjjuDo6VdnLp939h avatar 3D7DjjuDo6VdnLp939h Posted: 9/6/2012 1:37pm PDT

    This is going to feel odd. Since it was just wrecked/totaled by a semi YESTERDAY. But I was interested in the TDIs. This report doesn't thrill me. My (up until yesterday) 12 year old, original year Prius 2001 was getting (up until yesterday) 50 mpg LIFETIME average. So, I'm looking for a(nother/new) car today. Hard to give up 50MPG. I'm sure the semi truck driver's employer (rhymes with wrongway)'s insurance company will offer me next to nothing for it. But I do like the Jetta and the Passat both. My wife really liked the Passat when we saw it at the auto show. Surprisingly, it was a base MSRP $19,xxx.
     
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  2. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 9/7/2012 6:23am PDT

    So the highest number you ever achieved goes in the Title? That is pretty silly. Look at the number from the fillup both before and after the 46 MPG, they are in the 30's. No doubt the 46 mpg was an incomplete fill and that has caused the number to jump up.

    More reasons journalists should not do MPG testing, although the data here is certainly better than most.
     
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  3. marty avatar Marty Padgett Posted: 9/7/2012 8:04am PDT

    John, I've probably filled up and topped off 500 long-term cars in my life, from when I was a road warrior at Car and Driver. The differences are accounted for in the driving patterns before and after. The 46-mpg run was a one-way trip from my house to southern Maryland, without a refuel, running about 72 mph average. Before and after, both tanks were primarily here at home in city driving. It's pattern, not practice.
     
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