Built for the Autobahn – kind of
I came to the realization that if I was ever going to buy a VW (which I would consider because I really do enjoy them), I would have to buy a diesel model. It's not that their gas engines are poo, far from it. However, as we are so limited in our diesel options here in good ol' Canada, VW is one of the few manufacturers who offer a decent selection of vehicles and they do a diesel engine really, really well.
All that being said, I still like driving their gas engines, like the 2.5L 5-cylinder block in the 2012 Passat. Spitting out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque sent to the front wheels, the Passat isn't blistering fast; however, coupled with the 6-speed autobox, some fun can still be had. Never was I annoyed with it being an automatic (which happens more often than I'd like to admit with most of them).
Perhaps the nicest feature of the 2012 Passat is the multitude of trim levels and options available, which also means a number of different price points. Bringing a VW home has never been easier – truly. The commercials are telling the truth; the 2012 Passat Trendline model starts at $23,975 and is equipped with a generous amount of amenities. For my particular tester, the 2012 Passat 2.5L Highline, the price starts a tad higher at $31,475.
I came to the realization that if I was ever going to buy a VW (which I would consider because I really do enjoy them), I would have to buy a diesel model. It's not that their gas engines are poo, far from it. However, as we are so limited in our diesel options here in good ol' Canada, VW is one of the few manufacturers who offer a decent selection of vehicles and they do a diesel engine really, really well.
All that being said, I still like driving their gas engines, like the 2.5L 5-cylinder block in the 2012 Passat. Spitting out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque sent to the front wheels, the Passat isn't blistering fast; however, coupled with the 6-speed autobox, some fun can still be had. Never was I annoyed with it being an automatic (which happens more often than I'd like to admit with most of them).
Perhaps the nicest feature of the 2012 Passat is the multitude of trim levels and options available, which also means a number of different price points. Bringing a VW home has never been easier – truly. The commercials are telling the truth; the 2012 Passat Trendline model starts at $23,975 and is equipped with a generous amount of amenities. For my particular tester, the 2012 Passat 2.5L Highline, the price starts a tad higher at $31,475.
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| Never has the demure, humble exterior of a car stolen the spotlight more than in the 2012 VW Passat 2.5L. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com) |
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