2020 Volkswagen Passat Review: Pass the Salt
Auto123 reviews the 2020 Volkswagen Passat.
When Volkswagen introduced its new top-dog sedan, the Arteon, to its North American lineup in early 2019, attention inevitably turned to what plans the automaker might have for the smaller Passat. Would VW strike it from the lineup, or give it a bold overhaul? The answer, we’ve learned since, is neither. The 2020 model-year constitutes a mild refresh for the Passat, but no more than mild. It’s hard to imagine this new Passat being young and dynamic enough to turn around its fortunes in a segment that’s struggling mightily.
Perhaps Volkswagen has put the Passat in a sort of suspended animation, there as part of the furniture while the company works on its ID electric models and other urgent projects, and while it decides what to do with it.
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What’s new
The 2020 Passat sedan does get a new front grille to help modernize its look, and the roof is a little more streamlined than before. Apparently the side panels have been slightly reshaped but you’d be hard-pressed to notice the change. Also now found at the two extremities are standard LED headlights and rear lights. The latter are connected by a sculpted strip across the trunk on which feature the P-A-S-S-A-T letters.