Volkswagen Passat 2.5 Sport: Classy, spacious, understated and updated

By Ghaith Madadha - Feb 29,2016 - Last updated at Feb 29,2016

Photo courtesy of Volkswagen

First launched globally in 2011, the Middle East and US Volkswagen Passat diverged from the long-standing European model as a larger, affordable parallel model better serving those markets’ preferences. Built in Volkswagen’s Tennessee plant, the more accommodating Passat is intended as a more elegant Germanic answer to high volume large saloons from General Motors, Toyota and others.

Updated for 2016 and launched regionally last month, the smooth, spacious and comfortable US-Middle East Passat receives a subtle but effective and honed aesthetic facelift inside and out. Revised to be more contemporary and competitive, it gets a raft of more advanced safety and infotainment systems, and new and more direct electrically assisted steering.

Classy and restrained

Discretely revised in design, the 2016 Passat has a classier more chiselled aesthetic, with revised grille featuring horizontal and vertical slats, sharper headlight elements including LED running lights on SEL specification models and higher. The new Passat also features a chrome strip across the top of the grille and headlights to create a moodier more browed face and reshaped foglights.

Snoutier and more jutting at the grille, the new Passat also features a more sculpted front bumper, bonnet and wings, in addition to new power-folding side mirrors and classy frameless interior rear-view mirror. From the rear and silhouette, the Passat is similarly sharper and better resolved, with new chrome window surrounds and restyled bootlid and light clusters with more complex LED elements.

Chrome strips across the flanks and rear bumper are complemented by sportier exhaust tips and new alloy wheel designs. The next-to-top Sport spec model driven features standard 18-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels with 235/45R18 tyres, providing strong later and grip, sure-footed highway composure and a smooth if slightly firm ride over hard lumps, bumps and cracks.

Smooth and progressive

Offered with a choice of either 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder or 3.6-litre V6 in the US, Middle East specification Passat, however, comes with one 2.5-litre naturally aspirated five-cylinder engine for all trim levels. Well insulated for a refined driving experience, one can still pick up a faint hint of the Passat’s charismatic five-pot burble at heavy loads and high revs.

Progressive in character and delivery, the Passat’s rugged cast iron block and light aluminium head multi-point injection l2.5-litre engine develops 177lb/ft torque at 4250rpm and 168BHP by 5700rpm. Fitted with a standard six-speed automatic for the region, the Passat accelerates though 0-1000km/h in 9.2 seconds and onto an electronically governed 190km/h top speed.

Carried over from before its’ revision, the Passat’s 2.5-litre engine progressive and smooth with good response and mid-range, and returns good efficiency. If not outright fast or effortlessly muscular, the Passat’s five-pot power plant is effective, confident and is happy to be hustled along at a quicker pace, especially when using sequential tiprtonic shifts to hold gears longer at higher revs.

Settled and stable

In its element on the highway, the Passat is a smooth, comfortable and highly refined long-distance cruiser with terrific insulation from noise vibration and harshness. With committed stability at speed, the Passat remains settled and buttoned down on vertical rebound. Slightly firm on jagged low speed bumps with 18-inch alloys, 17- and 16-inch options provide more compliance for badly paved roads.

Long, stable, settled and with progressive delivery, the Passat well controls body lean for a large comfortable cruiser, but also provides excellent lateral grip, with rear wheels especially tenacious through hard cornering manoeuvres. More agile than its size suggests, the Passat’s new electric assisted steering is more efficient and sportier, and is quicker and more direct, responsive and precise.

Tucking tidily into corners the Passat feels manoeuvrable and sure-footed, but when pushed too fast and tight into corners, safe, progressive and instinctive understeer clearly notifies one of its grip limits. Underwritten by effective electronic safety systems, the new Passat also receives electrontic brakeforce distribution, adaptive airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system and other safety features.

Generous and spacious

Well equipped, the new Passat features revised standard safety systems including an Intelligent Crash Response system that cuts the fuel pump, unlocks doors and turns on hazard lights in the event of a crash severe enough to deploy the airbags. Additionally, the Passat features an Automatic Post-collision Braking System that brakes the car after a crash to prevent secondary collisions.

A revised technology and features suite includes an upgraded smartphone compatible infotainment system with Volkswagen App-Connect, large screen, voice command, Bluetooth streaming, and SD and USB connectivity. In addition to parking sensors, the Passat features a rear-view camera system, multi-function steering, eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control and automatic motion sensing boot release for added convenience when one’s hands are full.

Elegant, symmetric and logical, the Passat’s classy un-fussed cabin aesthetic and layouts feature revised colours and soft texture dashboard and seat designs. Supportive and comfortable seats and tilt/reach adjustable seats allow for a comfortable alert driving position, but more reach would be welcome. Airy, spacious and accessible in front and rear with leatherette upholstery, the Passat features good rear headroom, but is especially noteworthy for its extensively generous rear legroom and vast 578-litre boot.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 2.5-litre, cast iron block / aluminium head, transverse 5 cylinders

Bore x stroke: 82.55 x 92.71mm

Compression ratio: 9.5:1

Valve-train: 20-valve, DOHC

Gearbox: 6-speed automatic, front-wheel drive

0-100km/h: 9.2 seconds

Maximum speed: 190km/h

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 168 (170) [125] @5700rpm

Specific power: 67.7BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 116.7BHP/tonne (est.)

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 177 (240) @4250rpm