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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.
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 2012 Volkswagen PassatBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Chevrolet ImpalaBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Hyundai SonataBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Kia OptimaBrowse Used Listings |  2012 Toyota AvalonBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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 | $19,795 | $19,500 | $33,195 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 20 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 30 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 V6 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Mid-Size | Large Cars | Large Cars | Midsize Cars | Large |
| Style Name | ||||
| 4-Door Sedan 2.5L Manual S PZEV | 4-Door Sedan LS Retail | 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual GLS | 4-Door Sedan 2.4L Manual LX | 4-Door Sedan (GS) |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| 4 Door Sdn | 4 Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | Sedan | 4 Door Sedan |
| Transmission | ||||
| Manual | Automatic | Manual | Manual | Automatic |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2012 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2012 Chevrolet Impala | 2012 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2012 Hyundai Sonata | 2012 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2012 Kia Optima | 2012 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2012 Toyota Avalon | |
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