Das ist gud
Inside the 2012 Passat 2.5L that easygoing, near-boring design style continues. And yet, I loved it. I've been in far too many cars where the inside just overwhelms every sense you have the moment you sit behind the wheel. From steering wheels covered in buttons to gauge clusters that read your text messages, scroll photos and tell you way too much information all at once, the down-played interior of the 2012 Passat was a welcome reprieve from the norm.
My tester was decked out in the Highline trim level which meant I was treated to leather seating, keyless access with start/stop ignition as well as a 6.5” touchscreen and Fender sound system.
Interesting note about the Fender sound system: This is the first time Fender has ventured into the world of automobiles. I first mentioned this neat little tidbit of information in my 2012 VW Beetle review where it's also found. The 2012 Jetta will also offer a Fender system in its lineup.
But how does it stack up against all the rest? It's in some pretty competitive waters what with the likes of harman/kardon, Bose and Burmester helping drivers and passengers rock out for years, but it's impressive in its own right. While not the best I've ever heard, it's a good addition to the VW's overall design.
Throughout my week behind the wheel of the 2012 Passat, there was a nagging problem that plagued me: build quality. Now, don't go banning all VWs from your potential shopping list just yet. I was just a little disappointed in the wear-and-tear my tester already sported with only a few thousand clicks on the odometer.
Rattling speaker, creaky dash and a driver-side visor light that was forever on no matter what I tried to do to turn it off were all disappointments I just couldn't ignore. And believe me, I wanted to. Where Volkswagen was once known for building a car that was meant to take a beating (read: Beetle), I hope they'll rediscover that passion for sturdy builds and improve future models to feel a bit better assembled.
Inside the 2012 Passat 2.5L that easygoing, near-boring design style continues. And yet, I loved it. I've been in far too many cars where the inside just overwhelms every sense you have the moment you sit behind the wheel. From steering wheels covered in buttons to gauge clusters that read your text messages, scroll photos and tell you way too much information all at once, the down-played interior of the 2012 Passat was a welcome reprieve from the norm.
My tester was decked out in the Highline trim level which meant I was treated to leather seating, keyless access with start/stop ignition as well as a 6.5” touchscreen and Fender sound system.
 |
| Fender is maybe not the best I've ever heard but it's a good addition to the VW's overall design. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
Interesting note about the Fender sound system: This is the first time Fender has ventured into the world of automobiles. I first mentioned this neat little tidbit of information in my 2012 VW Beetle review where it's also found. The 2012 Jetta will also offer a Fender system in its lineup.
But how does it stack up against all the rest? It's in some pretty competitive waters what with the likes of harman/kardon, Bose and Burmester helping drivers and passengers rock out for years, but it's impressive in its own right. While not the best I've ever heard, it's a good addition to the VW's overall design.
Throughout my week behind the wheel of the 2012 Passat, there was a nagging problem that plagued me: build quality. Now, don't go banning all VWs from your potential shopping list just yet. I was just a little disappointed in the wear-and-tear my tester already sported with only a few thousand clicks on the odometer.
Rattling speaker, creaky dash and a driver-side visor light that was forever on no matter what I tried to do to turn it off were all disappointments I just couldn't ignore. And believe me, I wanted to. Where Volkswagen was once known for building a car that was meant to take a beating (read: Beetle), I hope they'll rediscover that passion for sturdy builds and improve future models to feel a bit better assembled.
 |
| Throughout my week behind the wheel of the 2012 Passat, there was a nagging problem that plagued me: build quality. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |