Written by Marco Carvajal
2022 Passat R-Line
I am test driving one of the last models of the last production year of the Passat sedan. The 2022 production is bringing to an end the production of this popular german car model.
The German automaker has ended the production of the four-door sedan for several reasons including the arrival of the similar sedan Arteon which is expected to take over the sales of this segment.
For many of us, the Passat has such a deep and strong brand name that is hard to understand that Volkswagen decided to let this car disappear, but on the other hand we can see the huge potential of the Arteon with such a beautiful line that eventually could become as popular or more popular than the well known Passat.
The Passat is a very comfortable mid-size automobile with good interior space, several standard features, a nicer updated interior, and a good engine for a sedan with 174 horsepower.
The Volkswagen Passat will cease to exist by 2023. It is difficult to compete in a segment that is shrinking every day with models like the Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord, but the Volkswagen Arteon will keep competing.
The Passat’s American styling and space are no accident, as it’s built in Tennessee, expressly for the American market. That’s why this VW is comfortable and serene enough for long road trips.
If you like the German style of driving, the sedan Passat is a good option, for its good price and comfort, and because it is its last year it will be on sale at many dealers. Buying a last-year production Sedan can have a special nostalgic value and make it a classic in the future.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on all trim levels, with the 6.3-inch screen. Its functionality is fine and easy to use.
The R-line’s multifunction display helps. Integrated Navigation is only available on the top-level R-Line trim. It’s easy to program and has on-screen controls that hide away when you don’t need them. I like the clean, bass sound of the Fender audio system.
Safety Technology
Safety features include antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags.
It adds blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
The adaptive cruise control system maintains a natural distance and brakes and accelerates sensibly. The lane-keep assist was a bit of a pain, but it got the job done.
Trim Levels
The 2022 Volkswagen Passat is available in three trim levels with an MSRP starting at $27,295
SE, R-Line, and a Charged Limited Edition that commemorates the car’s final year of production.
The R-Line I am test driving includes a modern sporty bodywork with gloss black exterior trim, 19-inch wheels, paddle shifters, ambient lighting, unique R-Line interior trim, upgraded 6.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, and Fender audio system premium.
Highlights:
- New Passat Limited Edition honors the model’s heritage and pays homage to the city of Chattanooga
- 2.0-liter TSI engine with 174 hp and 206 lb-ft is paired with 6-speed automatic transmission
- Passat standard features include: 18-inch wheels, full LED lighting, sunroof, leatherette, heated front seats, App-Connect, Car-Net® with Wi-Fi capability, Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, ACC, and Lane Assist
- Available optional features include: 19-inch wheels, Adaptive Front-lighting System, heated rear seats, leather seating surfaces, navigation, Fender Premium Audio system, Park Assist, and Park Distance Control
Engine and Performance
The Passat is powered by Volkswagen’s 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injection TSI four-cylinder engine, producing a decent 174 horsepower. A new torque converter, combined with new software, boosts output to 206 pound-feet of torque. The power is taken to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic.
The engine and transmission respond without problems, and it is fun and easy to drive.
Its powerful 174 HP engine should appeal to any midsize sedan buyer looking for a car to provide a good ride for daily needs.
Its powerful engine appeal to any midsize sedan buyer looking for a car to provide a smooth ride for their daily grind. A workhorse for the day-to-day. And the Passat fills that quota.
Both its engine and its transmission respond without problems.
On the road, the Passat is a smooth, comfortable, and very quiet vehicle, passing large and small potholes. The steering is quite precise, although some drivers will find it a bit heavy at low speeds.
Where it does win versus other sedans is in the curves, where like all German cars, it performs very well even if the curve is very tight.
The Passat is an elegant and comfortable quiet sedan, especially when long-distance driving is considered the Passat is convenient, and it includes some of the best fuel economy, it let you drive with a very large range on a tank of gas, driving 24 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg in the highway.
Great Design and Style
The Passat offers higher-quality interior materials, an updated instrument panel, and a 6.3-inch touchscreen. New color schemes, and a new range of upholstery options, including fabric and genuine or simulated leather. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on all trim levels.
The interior is essentially a full-size sedan, which looks midsize on the outside, as the inside is very roomy with everything very easy on the eyes, and controls are easy to use.
Interior materials are of good quality, an updated instrument panel and 6.3-inch touchscreen, new color schemes, and a new range of upholstery options, including cloth and simulated or genuine leather.
It has plenty of head and leg room, and rear passengers won’t feel claustrophobic. It’s not cluttered with buttons, and the basic controls are easily found and deciphered.
Its visibility is excellent, aided by large windows, skinny pillars, and a squared roofline. The Passat’s trunk is very large, and it really is one of the best in its class.
Competitors
Some o the competitors of the Passat are the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, among other cars.
The Last Passat
The last Passat in the US was assembled at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee last year in December 2021. The last Passat to come off the lineup was a 2022 Passat Limited Edition in Platinum Grey.
In the US, more than 1.8 million Passat models have been sold since 1974. The first versions of Volkswagen’s Passat family of sedans and wagons for US customers were launched in 1974 under the Dasher name.
Over 222,000 Passats were sold before the car was replaced by the second-generation Passat, this time marketed as the Quantum.
The Passat name first appeared on the US market in 1990 and has stuck around ever since.
The first six generations of Passat were exported from Europe to the U.S.
In 2011, Volkswagen began assembling the Passat for the North American market at its state-of-the-art assembly plant in Chattanooga.
Designed specifically for North America, the 2012 Passat was larger than the previous model, with ample rear seat and trunk space, and offered German engineering and styling at a competitive price.
Since then, the US-assembled Passat has been exported from the US to the world, to the Canadian, South Korean, and Middle Eastern markets.
Warranty
The Passat includes Volkswagen’s generous warranty Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty, with 6 years / 72,000-mile (whichever occurs first) and transferable coverage. This is one of the best warranties you can find in the market, a great incentive to buy a new Passat and have the confidence of 6 years and 72,000 miles covered by Volkswagen.
