page_title: Volkswagen Passat (NMS)
section_title: Year-to-year changes
hierarchical_section_title: Volkswagen Passat (NMS) / First generation (2012) / Year-to-year changes
caption_attribution_description: 2012 Volkswagen Passat photographed at the 2011 Washington (D.C.) Auto Show.
context_page_description: The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-sized sedan that debuted in January 2011 at the Detroit Auto Show, is manufactured at the Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant, replaces the Passat B6 in the North American market, and is marketed also in South Korea.
  At its introduction, the Passat NMS was part of Volkswagen Group's strategy to sell over 800,000 vehicles per year in the North American market. The vehicle was developed by Shanghai Volkswagen Automotive and Volkswagen Passenger Cars, and is partially based on the PQ46 platform used by the European Passat.
context_section_description: United States
  2013: Changes to the American market NMS Passat for 2013 include such upgrades as plastic covers for both trunk hinges (although they still remain of an intrusive variety). The 2013 Passat is available in S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium trims with either a five-cylinder, inline-four-cylinder diesel or V-6 powertrains. All SE and higher trimmed models also get a new center console design that now sports a pair of rear-passenger air vents, new cupholder designs, and a new cover for the front storage area. On the SE trim levels a back-up camera is optional. A backup camera is standard on all SEL-trimmed models. Volkswagen did, however, remove Dual-Zone climate control from all models except the SEL.
  Another change added to the 2013–current models was mirrors from the MK6(2011–current) Jetta whereas the 2012 Passat had the same mirrors as the Volkswagen CC.
  2014: Changes to the American market NMS Passat for 2014 include the engine upgrade of the in-line 5 cylinder being replaced by a 1.8 liter turbo charged in-line 4 cylinder. The new engine delivers 170 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque. Compared to the 2.5-liter, horsepower is the same and torque is slightly higher. The 2014 Passat also now uses electro-mechanical steering, instead of the previous hydraulic setup. Also new for 2014 is the VW Car-Net connection service system. Like GM's OnStar safety and communication system, Car-Net offers crash notification, roadside assistance and stolen vehicle location services. Through a smartphone app, users can also remotely start their vehicle, set boundary and speed alerts, and get a vehicle health report. In the 2014 Passat, the system is available on the Wolfsburg Edition trim and higher. The 2014 Passat is available in S, Wolfsburg Edition, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims with either a five-cylinder, inline-four-cylinder diesel or V-6 powertrains. VW says the Passat Wolfsburg Edition "offers a number of additional convenience features for a competitive price." The Wolfsburg Edition will sit between the base S ($21,640) and the midlevel SE ($24,740) trims and go on sale starting at $24,290. To the S model — which comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, Bluetooth connectivity, a steering wheel with audio and phone controls, automatic headlights, power exterior mirrors, and driver's seat lumbar support — the Wolfsburg Edition adds 16-inch alloy wheels, perforated V-Tex leatherette seats, a power driver's seat, heated front seats, satellite radio and a Media Device-Interface with iPod cable. Other model-year 2014 changes include more available features for the SE model, such as a backup camera, two-tone seats, and keyless access with push-button start. Wolfsburg Edition cars get a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and parking brake for 2014. The 2014 Sport sits in between the mid-level SE and the top-of-the-line SEL Premium trim models. It features 19-inch wheels, rear spoiler, foglights, sport seats, carbon fiber-like accents, aluminum sport pedals, unique floor mats, and stainless steel door sills. Three paint choices are available. Urano Gray paint is exclusive to the Sport model, while Candy White and Tungsten Silver feature a contrasting black roof and mirror caps. The Passat Sport also comes standard with items found in the SE model.  
  For 2015, the Passat receives minor changes. New features have been added to some trim levels throughout the Passat lineup and an all new diesel engine with 10 more horsepower than its predecessor is now offered. Diesel models also see a slight uptick in EPA estimated fuel economy with the manual transmission TDI models scoring up to 44MPG highway. For 2015, the SE with Sun and Nav package adds curve-illuminating foglights that had been previously available only on the SEL trim level. Later in 2015, Volkswagen has announced new trim level packages that will be released that bundle more features into the Passat for less money.
  2016: For 2016, the Passat receives a mid-cycle restyling, with revised front and rear end styling, a more upscale interior design,
caption: 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL – 2011 DC
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