Volkswagen Passat 2016

Stories by Foster Obi
Motoring/Maritime Editor

When you are looking at the 2016 Passat you may not really see spectacular upgrade, yet Volkswagen did some amazing job on the car.
The Passat has mildly revised exterior, updated centre stack and full leather seating on the classy models.
A rearview camera is now standard, and newly available safety features include a lane departure warning system, a blind-spot monitor and frontal collision warning with automatic braking.
A standard USB port replaces Volkswagen’s trademarked plug for connecting smartphones and media players.
There have also been a few changes in model, including the addition of a sporty R-Line model.
In the current-generation Passat, which started in 2012, the Audi-lite exterior styling of the outgoing Passat was replaced by more generic sheet metal.
The previously high-quality interior materials were downgraded, and similar cuts were made in the engine bay.
Gone was the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine and automated clutch transmission shared with the GTI. In its place was an anemic 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that made it difficult for the Passat to get out of its own way.
It’s hard to tell, but the 2016 Volkswagen Passat received a minor styling refresh this year.
You’d have to be a sharp-eyed Volkswagen fan to notice the differences between the 2015 and 2016 models in terms of body styling.
Several design elements are borrowed from the 2015 Golf, including a revised steering wheel and instrument cluster.
Although there’s a lot to like about the Passat, it operates in a competitive segment with numerous solid alternatives.

Body styles

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat Sedan is offered in five main models: S, R-Line, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium.
The base S comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, full power accessories, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control, height-adjustable front seats (with two-way manual lumbar adjustment for the driver), a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and cloth upholstery.
It also has a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a five-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, a USB port, and an auxiliary audio jack.
There’s a new “R-Line” trim that gives the Passat a sportier look. This is a standard TDI model.
The sporty R-Line adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and unique exterior and interior styling elements.
The R-Line is available with a Comfort package, which includes heated side mirrors, an eight-way power driver seat (with four-way power lumbar), heated front seats and leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery.

Performance

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is front-wheel drive and is available with two engines: a turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine or a 3.6-litre V6.
The four-cylinder is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, while power is routed through a six-speed automated manual (known as DSG) in the V6.
All trim levels except the V6 SEL Premium come standard with a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque.
The 3.6-litre V6 is available solely on the SEL Premium trim level, and it produces 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The revised technology interface is one of the Passat’s new features. It works well, but the screen is still on the small side.