The VW Passat has received a makeover for the 2020 model year in the United States, although the updates are less significant than the Euro model’s.
America’s 2020 Passat focuses on styling first and foremost, adopting refreshed exterior and interior designs that we can better assess now that VW has released more photos of its midsize sedan. We’ll let the photos do the talking but we will say the 2020 model is a big improvement thanks to a bolder exterior and more upscale interior.
Sadly, not much changes from a mechanical standpoint, as the 2020 VW Passat carries on with the same 2.0-liter TSI turbo-four gasoline engine.
Related: 2020 Volkswagen Passat Polishes Up Its Looks, But Keeps Aging Underpinnings For America
While the maximum power is the same (174 HP at 4,400 rpm), the peak torque gains 22 lb-ft (30 Nm) for a total of 206 lb-ft (279 Nm) available at 1,600 rpm. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic with steering-wheel mounted shift paddles on R-Line models.
For some reason, EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 2020 Passat drops by 2 mpg over the 2019 model in each category: 23 mpg (10.2 l/100 km) city, 34 mpg (6.9 l/100 km) highway, and 27 mpg (8.7 l/100 km) combined.
The list of standard features includes 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, full LED lighting, 6.3-inch Composition Media infotainment system, App-Connect, rearview camera, Front Assist with Pedestrian Monitoring, Blind Spot Monitor, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, and Rear Traffic Alert, among other things.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat will be available in four trim levels in the United States (S, SE, R-Line, and SEL), with prices starting at $22,995 (excluding $920 destination) for the base model. Deliveries are expected to begin by the end of 2019.