Last week, we explored the 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5 SE, a roomy and budget-conscious sedan that, while spacious, lacked some refinement. This week, we shift gears to examine the 2012 Passat Tdi in SEL Premium trim. While the base Passat aims for affordability starting “from $19,995*,” this TDI SEL Premium pushes the price to $32,965. The crucial question is: do the turbodiesel engine and top-tier features elevate the 2012 Passat TDI into a truly compelling car?
Stepping Up the Style: 2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium Exterior and Interior
In SEL Premium guise, the 2012 Passat TDI gains a touch more visual appeal. The upgrade includes larger, 18-inch wheels with a more sophisticated design, and additional chrome trim, enhancing its presence, especially with darker paint colors like the black of our test car. This conservative yet subtly enhanced exterior styling aligns well with the Passat’s overall design philosophy.
Moving inside the 2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium, the faux metal trim of the SE model is swapped for faux wood, and the leatherette seats are replaced with a combination of leather and synthetic suede. However, the “upgrade” to budget-grade leather hardly feels like a significant improvement over the leatherette. In fact, the light beige interior of our test vehicle unfortunately accentuated the somewhat less-than-premium feel of the materials. While competitors like the Ford Fusion or Toyota Camry might not boast significantly better materials in this class, the mid-$30,000 price range opens doors to vehicles with noticeably more refined cabins.
The 2012 Passat TDI retains a key strength across all trims: exceptional legroom in both the front and rear seats. This spaciousness is a major selling point for families or anyone prioritizing passenger comfort. However, even in the SEL Premium, cost-cutting measures are evident. The climate control knobs feel somewhat cheap, and in a puzzling design choice, a storage tray occupies the space where rear air vents should be. This omission compromises rear passenger comfort, especially on warmer days. Further cost-saving measures include the continued lack of separate front and rear height adjustments on the power front seats and no height adjustment for the lumbar support.
Sound Check: The Fender Audio System in the 2012 Passat TDI
The 400-watt Fender audio system in the 2012 Passat TDI deserves a specific mention, though perhaps not for the reasons Volkswagen intended. Initially, the bass was overwhelmingly powerful and muddy. It was necessary to navigate the touchscreen controls and significantly reduce the bass level to achieve a more balanced sound profile. While powerful, the out-of-the-box tuning might not appeal to all listeners without adjustment.
Diesel Power and Performance: The 2012 Passat TDI Engine and DSG
Under the hood, the 2012 Passat TDI houses a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine producing 140 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and a robust 236 foot-pounds of torque at just 1,500 rpm. Compared to the 2.5-liter gasoline engine, the TDI offers less horsepower but significantly more torque available much lower in the rev range. As expected from these figures, the diesel engine feels particularly strong off the line and at lower speeds, providing ample initial acceleration. While the gas engine might become quicker at speeds above 30 mph, the TDI remains more than adequate for everyday driving and even maintains composure at highway speeds without feeling sluggish.
The diesel engine’s sound is undeniably diesel, especially at idle. However, it’s significantly quieter and less clattery than older diesel engines, representing advancements in diesel technology. The 2012 Passat TDI utilizes a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission (DSG), which operates smoothly and similarly to the conventional six-speed automatic found in the 2.5 model. Whether in stop-and-go traffic or during full-throttle acceleration, the DSG shifts seamlessly. While DSG transmissions are known for their quick shifts, the inherently slower-revving nature of the diesel engine somewhat diminishes this advantage in the 2012 Passat TDI.
The primary benefit of the DSG in the 2012 Passat TDI is improved fuel economy. By eliminating the torque converter found in traditional automatics, the DSG contributes to the impressive EPA fuel economy ratings of 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway for the 2012 Passat TDI. The trip computer even reported figures exceeding these ratings in real-world driving conditions, although the accuracy of these readings might be questionable.
Ride and Handling Dynamics: Comparing the 2012 Passat TDI and 2.5 SE
Compared to the 2012 Passat 2.5 SE, the 2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium exhibits a smoother ride but less agile handling, creating a sensation of a larger, heavier, and more relaxed vehicle. The difference in driving feel between the two models is surprisingly significant. Initially, one might attribute this to the TDI’s potentially heavier front end due to the diesel engine, which could logically dampen steering responsiveness, reduce agility, and mitigate the front-end bobbing observed in the 2.5 SE. Indeed, the 2012 Passat TDI weighs approximately 180 pounds more than the 2.5, with the SEL Premium trim adding further weight due to features like the power passenger seat and sunroof. However, even at around 3,470 pounds, the 2012 Passat TDI isn’t exceptionally heavy for its size.
Tire choice may also play a role. The 2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium is equipped with wider 235/45HR18 Bridgestone Turanza EL400 touring tires, compared to the narrower ContiProContacts on the 2.5 trims. While the Bridgestones offer slightly improved grip, this is likely due to their increased width rather than a focus on handling prowess, as their design prioritizes ride comfort over sharp cornering. It’s also plausible that the 2012 Passat TDI incorporates additional sound insulation to further dampen diesel engine noise, contributing to the perceived weight and smoother ride.
However, these factors alone seem insufficient to fully explain the marked difference in steering feel between the two models. Upon reviewing the window sticker of the 2012 Passat TDI, the presence of “electric power steering” is revealed. In contrast, the 2.5 SE model, as confirmed by its sticker, retains “hydraulic power steering.” This difference in steering systems likely accounts for the less communicative and more isolated steering feel in the 2012 Passat TDI. While the 2.5 SE offered a refreshingly direct steering experience, the 2012 Passat TDI sacrifices some of this engagement for potentially improved fuel efficiency or other benefits associated with electric power steering. The steering system in the V6 Passat remains somewhat ambiguous, with conflicting information suggesting both electric and hydraulic options depending on the source.
2012 Passat TDI vs. the Competition: Hybrids and Value
Pricewise, the TDI engine option adds $2,300 to the cost of the 2.5 model but is $755 less expensive than the V6. In the midsize sedan market, the 2012 Passat TDI carves out a unique niche as one of the few diesel offerings in the United States, particularly as other manufacturers previously considered diesel sedans but ultimately abandoned those plans. This leaves hybrid midsize sedans as the closest competitors to the 2012 Passat TDI.
Comparing prices to 2011 models (closest available at the time of the original review), a comparably equipped 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid had a slightly higher MSRP but a potentially lower invoice price, reflecting different dealer margins. Factoring in feature differences, the 2012 Passat TDI and Camry Hybrid become very closely priced. A loaded 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid listed for a slightly higher MSRP but a lower invoice price, with feature adjustments slightly favoring the Ford. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid with Premium Package emerged as the most affordable option, undercutting the 2012 Passat TDI by a significant margin in both MSRP and invoice price, with feature parity.
Conclusion: Is the 2012 Passat TDI Worth the Premium?
The 2012 Passat TDI SEL Premium presents itself as a more upscale vehicle compared to the 2.5 SE, but its mid-$30,000 price tag might be a tough sell for some. Despite the upgraded interior trim, many budget-oriented elements remain, and the rear seat, while spacious, lacks dedicated air vents. The TDI-DSG powertrain delivers commendable performance and exceptional fuel economy for a car of its size. However, the ride, although smoother and quieter than the 2.5 SE, remains merely average in its class. Perhaps the most significant disappointment is the steering system. The engaging steering feel that characterized the 2.5 SE is absent in the 2012 Passat TDI, replaced by an electric power steering system that diminishes driver feedback and contributes to a less connected driving experience. While the added weight of the TDI SEL Premium partly explains this difference, the steering system is a key factor.
In conclusion, if your priorities are a roomy and highly fuel-efficient midsize sedan, the 2012 Passat TDI stacks up favorably against hybrid competitors and is priced similarly. However, it ultimately falls short of being a truly outstanding car due to compromises in interior refinement and driving engagement. With a few key upgrades, particularly addressing the steering and interior material quality, the 2012 Passat TDI could have been a more compelling offering in the midsize sedan segment.
Vehicle provided by Dan Kelley, Suburban VW in Farmington Hills, MI, 248-741-7903
Michael Karesh operates TrueDelta, an online source of automotive pricing and reliability data.
