| Model year | 2012 |
| Make | Volkswagen |
| Model | Passat |
| Style | V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6AM) |
| Base MSRP | $32,950 |
| As-tested MSRP | $33,720 |
| Drive type | Front-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, port-injected V6 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,597/220 |
| Block/head material | Iron/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 11.4 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,000 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 280 @ 6,200 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 258 @ 2,500 |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission type | Six-speed auto double-clutch manual with console shifter |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I = 2.92; II = 1.79; III = 1.19; IV = 0.83; V = 0.86; VI = 0.69; Final Drive = 4.77/3.44 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Hydraulic-assist, variable-ratio, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 16.4 |
| Tire brand | Hankook |
| Tire model | Optimo H426 |
| Tire type | All-season front and rear |
| Tire size, front | 235/45R18 94H M+S |
| Tire size, rear | 235/45R18 94H M+S |
| Wheel size | 18-by-8 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 12.3-inch ventilated steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 10.7-inch solid steel discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 2.7 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 4.3 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 6.4 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 9.1 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 14.6 @ 96.4 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.1 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 33 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 131 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 62.6 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.81 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 43.1 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 73.7 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 69.0 |
| Acceleration comments | There is no traction-off button and the system hates pedal overlap of any kind, so the best run came with progressive but fast throttle application to avoid wheelspin and the resulting intervention by traction control by closing the throttle. I tried all three transmission modes (Drive, Sport, Manual) and perhaps Manual mode was slightly quicker because it still auto-shifts at redline. In Sport mode, it liked to short shift into 2nd, perhaps to control wheelspin. |
| Braking comments | Very little initial bite between 60 mph and 40 mph, but plenty from there to zero. Little noise from ABS engagment but some pedal pulsation. Straight stops with quite a lot of body dive. Last stop not representative because 5-8 feet shorter. Not confidence-inspiring. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Nondefeat stability control so only a matter of finding the proscribed limit before electronics intervene. At that threshold, very subtle brake application precedes throttle closure to maintain steady cornering arc. Steering delivers good effort level and adequate feel. Tires remained quiet and grip was steady. Slalom: Nondefeat stability control rewards smooth steering input and progressive throttle application, otherwise massive intervention by throttle and brake. Even done right, the slalom still makes the car feel enormous -- slow to transfer weight from side to side. Steering is precise with good effort level. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 92 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 24 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2 mph headwind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 20 city/28 highway |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 18.5 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,446 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,517 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 59/41 |
| Length (in.) | 191.6 |
| Width (in.) | 72.2 |
| Height (in.) | 58.5 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 110.4 |
| Track, front (in.) | 62.1 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 61.0 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 36.4 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 42.4 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 39.1 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 38.3 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 37.8 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 56.9 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 57.0 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 15.9 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 12 years/Unlimited miles |
| Roadside assistance | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front |
| Head airbags | Front and rear |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
| IIHS offset | Not tested |
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