WASHINGTON — The R-Line package adds some sport to the Volkswagen Passat midsize sedan.
When you think of midsize sedans, visions of a sporty-looking and -driving car probably are not the first things that come to mind. But lately, some manufacturers have added a sport model to their normal midsize sedans, offering drivers another reason to buy.
The Passat is usually conservative in styling and tends to blend in, but if you choose the R-line trim level, things perk up a bit on the outside. Large 19-inch wheels are a much better fit than the usual 16-inch ones and help give this Passat a better look. The R-Line also adds different bumpers and trim outside, all adding a bit more flair — not to mention that the cool Urano Gray paint helps give the car a more expensive look than the $25,570 price tag suggests.
With the R-Line trim level, you would expect better performance — and it does seem more planted in turns thanks to those larger wheels. The ride is still very smooth, even with the larger wheels and lower profile tires, so bigger bumps are taken care of rather well.
Power comes from the standard 1.8T turbo four-cylinder engine, which does a pretty good job of moving this large car. It’s not the quickest midsize sedan, but I really didn’t have problems keeping up with traffic.
Fuel economy isn’t too shabby: I managed 28.3 miles per gallon for my week of nearly 550 miles of mixed driving. The R-Line offers only an automatic transmission, but luckily it does a fine job of providing quick shift when needed. Still, a manual option would be nice.
I think you’ll find the inside the Passat R-Line is a good place to spend time with plenty of open space. It borders on full-size status. The leatherette seats look like real leather and are comfortable. Leg and headroom shouldn’t be a problem in the back seat. The trunk is also large, so this is a good people-mover for those who prefer a sedan over a crossover.
Some other pluses: The Passat has regular USB ports rather than the Volkswagen-only plug, and there is now a rearview monitor. However, I do want a larger screen; five inches seems small for a midsize sedan. The function and pairing for your phone is better than before, but not as quick as some others. Overall, it’s a big improvement from previous Volkswagen products.
The Passat R-Line adds a bit of sport to the usual midsize sedan, but it is still a large, comfortable car. With prices under $26,000 and super deals available as Volkswagen tries to recover from “dieselgate,” the Volkswagen Passat R-Line could be a bargain in the crowded midsize sedan market.
Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.