2012 Volkswagen Passat Trims and Specs

Some tweaks to the emissions systems in the standard 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder (I5) powerplant result in Volkswagen’s redesigned 2012 Passat S PZEV. High-efficiency catalytic converters combined with the ability to burn gasoline with significantly less sulfur content (i.e. California fuel) mean this 5-passenger base trim leaves a considerably lower carbon footprint, thus the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) moniker. But this snazzy family car still features nearly 16 cubic feet of trunk space, a sportier reworked suspension, standard 16-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery and remote power door locks, as well as power windows and mirrors, dual-zone climate control, cruise control and telescoping tilt-wheel steering. Entertainment, meantime, is provided by a standard MP3-capable single CD player and 6 speakers, while communications are ensured with standard Bluetooth hands-free technology.

The popular Appearance package, featuring a 6-speed auto-manual transmission with sport mode, 16-inch alloy wheels and a folding rear-seat center armrest, is among the optional equipment for the VW’s new Passat S PZEV, as are carpeted front and rear floor mats, trunk organizers, and a unique Passat lip spoiler.

A slightly reworked version of the standard 2.5-liter I5 engine is mated with the ubiquitous 5-speed manual transmission (complete with brake hill holder) to give the 2012 Passat S PZEV 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Mileage, meantime, is estimated at 21 mpg city/32 highway with the stick shift, while an available Tiptronic 6-speed auto-manual transmission with sport mode offers 22/31.

Standard safety equipment in the new Passat S PZEV includes 5-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), as well as traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front head-restraint whiplash protection and front and rear head airbags. Additional standard safety features include turn-signal-integrated mirrors, daytime running lights, post-collision safety system and a remote antitheft alarm.

For 2012, the Volkswagen Passat S, now representing the base trim of the lineup, comes across as a bigger, friendlier, more economically viable 5-passenger sedan. With standard 16-inch steel wheels and power-adjustable mirrors outside, and cloth upholstery, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, remote power door locks and power windows inside, the redesigned Passat S distances itself from many rival entry-level offerings. Add to all that a sport-tuned suspension, almost 16 cubic feet of trunk space, standard telescoping tilt-wheel steering, a trip computer, MP3-capable single-CD player with six speakers and Bluetooth hands-free communications technology, and this affordable sedan ought to strike a chord with those in the market for a well-endowed family car. Options for the base Passat S, meantime, include an Appearance package with 16-inch alloy wheels, 6-speed auto-manual transmission and folding rear-seat center armrest, as well as a unique Passat lip spoiler and carpeted front and rear floor mats.

Powering the front-wheel-drive 2012 Passat S is a brand-new 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine (I5) that combines with the standard 5-speed manual transmission for 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. The manual transmission comes with a brake hill holder, while the available Appearance package replaces the stick shift with a Tiptronic 6-speed auto-manual transmission that includes a driver-selectable sport mode. EPA estimates put mileage with the manual transmission at 21 mpg city/32 highway, and the 6-speed auto-manual at 22/31.

Safety-wise, the 2012 Passat S is delivered with 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front and rear head airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Additional standard safety and security equipment includes daytime running lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, dusk-sensing headlights, remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system.

Re-engineered for the U.S market, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV is longer, leaner and cleaner than its Europe- and Asia-bound siblings, as well as boasting a new sport-tuned suspension. Some tweaks to the standard 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder (I5) powerplant give it a cleaner emissions process that meets California’s stricter regulations and is designed to burn gasoline with less sulfur content, ergo, its Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) designation. Meanwhile, standard amenities in this 5-passenger midsize sedan, like 17-inch alloy wheels, leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, folding rear-seat center armrest and dual-zone climate controls are, of course, identical to those in the regular SE trim. Also standard in this clean-leaning VW is a telescoping and tilting leather steering wheel mounting redundant audio and cruise controls, as well as power windows, power-adjustable heated outside mirrors and remote power door locks. Standard audio and communications equipment includes a 6-CD changer with eight speakers, satellite radio, a memory card slot and Bluetooth hands-free communications technology. Of course, a respectable 16 cubic feet of trunk space also endows this classy sedan.

Options for the 2012 Passat SE PZEV include hard-drive-based navigation, a power sunroof and the unique Passat lip spoiler, with such accessories as carpeted floor mats and various cargo organizers also available.

The clean-burning, 170-hp 2.5-liter I5 engine is standard for 2012’s front-wheel-drive (FWD) Passat SE PZEV, with the standard 5-speed manual transmission (including the brake hill holder) anticipated to get 21 mpg city/32 highway. Available for this squeaky clean sedan is a Tiptronic 6-speed auto-manual transmission with sport mode that’s EPA-estimated at 22/31.

In keeping with its family-oriented design, the 2012 Passat SE PZEV boasts standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), as well as traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, front head-restraint whiplash protection and front and rear head airbags. Daytime running lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system all help round out this well-wrought sedan’s standard safety equipment.

A direct-injected turbodiesel engine is the star aboard the redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE. This longer, leaner, U.S.-made midsize family sedan is now a bit roomier and offers almost 16 cubic feet of trunk space, while the new sport-tuned suspension keeps it agile and comfy on all but the most decrepit roads. Standard features in this amped-up VW, meanwhile, include 17-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats with power-adjustable driver’s seat, leatherette upholstery, dual-zone climate control and a telescoping and tilting leather steering wheel mounting audio and cruise controls. Then there’s the standard remote power door locks, power windows and heated power-adjustable outside mirrors to complement split-folding rear seats with center folding armrest. Entertainment, meantime, comes in the form of an MP3-capable 6-CD changer with eight speakers, satellite radio and a memory card slot. Finally, Bluetooth hands-free communications technology is also delivered with this well-wrought family auto. Options for the 2012 Passat TDI SE include a power sunroof and a hard-drive-based navigation system, each necessitating the optional 6-speed auto-manual transmission, as well as the popular Passat lip spoiler and various trunk organizers.

A new-for-2012 140-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel powers the Passat TDI SE. Either the standard 6-speed manual transmission or the available 6-speed auto-manual transmission, meantime, manages these ponies to produce a potent 236 lb-ft of torque. EPA estimates, by the way, put mileage in this perky sedan at a jaw-dropping 31 mpg city/43 highway with the stick shift and 30/40 with the auto-manual transmission.

Safety-wise, the 2012 Passat TDI SE boasts standard 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front head-restraint whiplash protection and front side-mounted airbags. This classy sedan also sports standard turn-signal-integrated mirrors, daytime running lights, a remote antitheft alarm and a post-collision safety system.

Reborn and renamed in 2012, the Volkswagen Passat SEL PZEV is longer, leaner and more agile than its quasi-luxury predecessors. From its new sport-tuned suspension to its nearly 16 cubic feet of trunk space to its 192-inch overall length, this 5-passenger midsize sedan was redesigned with the U.S. family steadfastly in mind. The standard 2.5-liter engine, also new this year, is tweaked to adhere strictly to California’s landmark emissions regulations and will burn low-sulfur gasoline with no degradation in performance; thus the Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) rating. This doesn’t mean, however, that this upper midlevel trim gets cheated out of its plethora of standard goodies. A power sunroof and 17-inch alloy wheels bolster a pleasant and functional, if not awe-inspiring exterior, while heated front seats, leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, front and rear floor mats and simulated wood accents top the list of standard cabin amenities. Also inside are standard cruise control, dual-zone climate control, a dashboard video monitor, a universal remote garage door opener and a hard-drive-based navigation system. Entertainment is in the embrace of the standard Fender premium audio system starring an MP3-capable single-CD player and nine speakers and is complemented by satellite radio and a memory card slot. Standard Bluetooth hands-free technology, meanwhile eases communications. Options consist only of a number of cargo organizers and the one-of-a-kind Passat lip spoiler.

Powering the environmentally friendly, front-wheel-drive (FWD) 2012 Passat SEL PZEV is the just-introduced 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder (I5) engine and its accompanying 6-speed auto-manual transmission. This matchup puts out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, and is good for an estimated 22 mpg city/31 highway.

Standard safety features aboard the 2012 Passat SEL PZEV include 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS), traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Additional safety equipment includes daytime running lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, dusk-sensing headlights, a post-collision safety system and a remote antitheft alarm.

Take the standard 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder out of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE and replace it with a 280-hp 3.6-liter V6 engine to behold the Passat SE V6. This 5-passenger front-wheel-drive midsize sedan additionally boasts 258 lb-ft of torque when managed by the standard 6-speed auto-manual transmission with sport mode selectivity. Expect to get an estimated 20 mpg city/28 highway in fuel efficiency.

Just because it adds some significant oomph under the hood, a longer exterior profile and a sport-tuned suspension doesn’t mean the redesigned Passat SE V6 skimps on the amenities. Standard 17-inch alloy wheels, heated power-adjustable mirrors and a power sunroof are a couple of the exterior goodies, while leatherette upholstery, folding rear-seat center armrest, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats remain part of the interior standard equipment. Then there’s standard dual-zone climate control, remote power door locks and power windows, all complemented by a leather, telescoping and tilting steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls. Entertainment is via a 6-CD changer with 8 speakers, satellite radio and a memory card slot, while Bluetooth hands-free technology helps ensure safe and efficient communications on the road. Optional equipment includes a hard-drive-based navigation system, while some available accessories include carpeted floor mats all around, a unique Passat lip spoiler and various trunk organizers.

Standard safety equipment in the 2012 Passat SE V6 includes 4-wheel antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front and rear head airbags, front side-mounted airbags and front head-restraint whiplash protection. Finally, daytime running lights, turn-signal-integrated mirrors, a post-collision safety system and remote antitheft alarm round out the standard safety equipment aboard VW’s classy V6 sedan.