Meanwhile, Here’s The 2016 Volkswagen Passat

Car companies typically put months of planning into reveals of new models or even thorough freshenings of those on sale.

So like a quinceanera held in a hurricane, here’s the somewhat new, more angular 2016 Volkswagen Passat.

The front and rear of the Passat get a new chiseled look, but it’s not so jarring a change that anyone who bought or avoided a Passat because of its styling will likely regret their decision.

The biggest change comes in the interior, which looks a little less downmarket than previous generations. The dash gets a new generation of entertainment controls with better responses and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Also, you can open the trunk by kicking your foot underneath the bumper, and the rear seats now have a heating option.

The engine choices remain as before: a 1.8-liter turbo four with 150 hp, a 280-hp V-6, and a certain 2-liter turbodiesel that may be a bit delayed. With prices starting at $22,440 for a 1.8-liter with a V-6, the Passat remains a value-priced option in the world of family sedans—a proposition that’s got some appeal no matter the weather. 

Justin HydeManaging wrote in

from Yahoo