Auto review: 2020 Volkswagen Passat: the American car built by a German company

American automakers seem convinced that you no longer want a sedan. General Motors have killed most of theirs, Ford is about to, and a new sedan doesn’t seem to be on Fiat-Chrysler’s radar.

It’s appalling the Detroit Three would let their sedans slide into obsolescence. After all, there are millions of Americans who prefer a roomy, comfortable, affordable sedan. What about them? Why not try to offer something fresh and compelling? Instead, American automakers have ceded this category to foreign automakers, convinced there are no profits to be made selling sedans, after having put up a defense as credible as the Maginot Line.

Foreign automakers don’t seem to have any challenge fielding an attractive, roomy, affordable sedan. The 2020 Volkswagen Passat, proves that.

For 2020, the Passat gets refreshed with all-new sheet metal accented with LED lighting, and revised styling that adds a touch of softness to the Passat’s sober, clean lines. It’s handsome, with none of the juvenile flourishes that pass for styling in some modern sedans. Clearly, it’s the adult in the room.

Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Passat is at the larger end of the midsize sedan spectrum, measuring 193.5 inches long. But it’s the inside story that’s so impressive: There’s more than 42 inches of legroom up front and an impressive 39 inches in the rear. These are the kind of numbers once common in full-size American sedans, when America actually made full-size sedans.

And the roominess comes at a starting price of $22,995, or less than some compact cars.

That nets you such goodies as 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, LED projector lights, chrome exhaust pipes, automatic headlights, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, a 6.3-inch touchscreen, two USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and driver assistance features like an automatic post-collision braking system, front assist, blind spot monitor, and rear traffic alert. Plop down another three grand for the SE and you’ll also get a bit more indulgence, like keyless access with push-button start, remote starting, leatherette seating surfaces, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, USB ports in the rear center console, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist.

Keep going and you’ll find the sporty style of the R-Line, and the all-in SEL will spoil you rotten when it comes to standard equipment, adding such decadence as soft Nappa leather, and heated rear seats, although you’ll break the $30,000 barrier. Still, it’s the bottom two trim levels, S or SE, that are compellingly priced, so much so that you have to wonder what’s the catch. How can Volkswagen build such affordability into so spacious a car?

Well, let’s start with the powertrain.

There’s enough power when you need it and, thankfully, minimal turbo lag. Volkswagen increased the engine’s torque 12% to 206 pound-feet, and it’s a bit too easy to squeal the tires when making a fast getaway from a stop. But the polished driveline easily hustles you through the humdrum highways with ease, the transmission shifting promptly and smoothly. The steering is very light, and lacking in feel, but accurate.

The instrument panel has a utilitarian simplicity that’s refreshing. The wood trim isn’t all that convincing, but the infotainment system is excellent with clear, clean graphics, an easy-to-understand user interface, a fast processor and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability.

There’s a sensibleness to the Passat that’s refreshing and honest. It’s roomy and comfortable, not to mention a good value. Best of all, its design doesn’t look like an escapee from a video game. It’s the kind of car that Americans once designed and built but can longer be bothered to do. Thank you, Volkswagen.