2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI – High Efficiency Without the Hybrid Premium

With an entry-level MSRP and fuel efficiency to rival most hybrids, the diesel-powered Passat surprises with its true-to-form German handling, making it pure driving joy.

With Volkswagen TDI, you'll get the performance, style, safety, and quality of a turbocharged German vehicle. It's just that you'll get those qualities in a high-mileage vehicle.

Manufacturer: VolkswagenYear, Model:2012 Passat TDIClass, Type: Mid-sized sedanPropulsion system: Turbocharged Direct Injection dieselVehicle range: 820 miles +Fuel(s): DieselBase Price: $25,995MSRP as tested: $32,195Availability:

Now, nationally

For a mid-sized sedan at this price point, the car over delivers. The engine is a 2.0-liter in-line four cylinder diesel with four valves per cylinder, turbocharged, with direct injection (TDI). It meets both European and North American emissions standards using Volkswagen's AdBlue after-treatment. The diesel makes the signature European “putty-purr” sound so often associated with the diesels so popular there. The Passat is front wheel drive with an amazingly smooth and well-tuned 6-speed transmission (available both automatic and manual).
The seating and interior room are very comfortable for a car this size. Most smaller sedans such as the Passat suffer from cramping as designers attempt to utilize every square inch. The Passat TDI has ample interior space and comfortable seating, allowing even someone over six feet such as myself to easily sit in the back row to ride. Three average people can comfortably sit in the back.
The trunk is huge and the seats fold flat to allow pass-through for even more storage options. Without the seats down, a standard-sized mountain bike with the front wheel removed fits easily in the boot. For the curious, the AdBlue refill port is also located in the trunk.
Entering the freeway or getting up to speed on the highway can be either smooth and efficient or can be a seat-pressing, G-forced launch, depending on driver discretion. The amount of power produced by this little diesel is shocking to those who might not expect it. Despite getting 43 miles per gallon (EPA) on the highway, the Passat TDI puts out the kind of get-up-and-go you'd expect from an 8-cylinder beast. Top speed is limited to 118 for the U.S. versions, if you're wondering.
Braking is smooth and effortless and handling us superb for a vehicle in this segment. True to its German roots, the Passat has stiff, responsive turning, but handles road shocks and bumps extremely well, marking the suspension as somewhere between sport tuned and mushy. It's an excellent balance that drivers will appreciate.
Drivers will also appreciate the consolidated and nicely fitted instrument cluster. Analog dials give precise information on RPM, speed, etc. and are supplemented by the central LCD screen which shows cruise settings, gear position, and other details depending on vehicle operation. It's well laid out and gives what the driver needs in a glance.

Very high-mileage, low-maintenance car that easily competes with hybrids and even some plug-ins for its versatility, cost-effectiveness, and comfort. At many thousands cheaper than a Chevrolet Volt and much larger than it and most other hybrids on the market that achieve 43+mpg on the highway, the Passat TDI is definitely a contender.

Extreme German driveability is inherent in this car. So much so that this, along with its price point and efficiency, won it the Motor Trend Car of the Year award for 2012.

Maintenance costs are higher than gasoline simply because of the AdBlue® and after-treatment that must be added every 10,000 or so miles. This adds the equivalent of another oil change to the car's costs.

Premium options are a must for those serious about a great driving experience in the Passat. While the base model is great, adding the Fender Premium Audio® and higher-end interior treatments pushes the price tag up.

This is a great car at a great price point with awesome efficiency. For those who don't live in urban environments and need a more versatile, family-friendly sedan, this is definitely a near-perfect choice.

Test Period Length and Limitations
We drove the Passat TDI for about a week, putting just under 500 miles on the car. It was driven in everyday situations on highways, country roads, with and without children and carseats, etc.

This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.

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2012 Kia Optima Hybrid – Efficiency Without the Cramp

The Optima Hybrid offers the fuel economy of a much smaller car without compromising interior room, attractive styling, and a comfortable, sporty ride that belies its eco-friendliness. A strong hybrid entry from the Korean upstart.

A responsive and rewarding drive is guaranteed by the Optima Hybrid’s combined powertrain output (2.4-litre gasoline engine, plus electric motor) of 208 ps, with 265 Nm of torque – while achieving a 40.7 per cent improvement in fuel economy over the standard Optima 2.4 gasoline model.

The first thing you notice about the Kia Optima Hybrid is its aggressive, sporty styling – an unusual attribute in today's mid-sized market, especially for a hybrid. The mildly menacing grille and sleek fascia hint at performance and power and the lines along the sides to the integrated bump spoiler on the trunk give an impression of easy air flow and slippery speed. Once inside, the immediate impression is one of space and comfort.

The Optima offers 16-inch alloy wheels as standard, but the 17-inch option adds a level of driving refinement that improves the ride enough to justify the addition. Fog lamps, spoiler, and many other features you'd expect to be premium paid options are also standard on the base level Optima Hybrid.

The Kia Optima Hybrid sports a 2.4-liter DOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine putting out 206 horsepower coupled in parallel to a 40hp electric motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Despite it's 40mpg highway rating and 35mpg city, the car drives very well and pulls to freeway speeds without showing much effort.

The handling, drive, and performance are much more than expected from a hybrid. Kia has also done well with this car's interior space and accoutrement. On the race track, it wasn't a muscle car, but it handled better than a much more expensive Lexus CT200h on hard corners and latent curves.

Powerful performance and great economy all in one package. The Optima Hybrid is an unusual mix of both elements and is the better for it. In a market of lackluster mid-sized hybrid performance, this car really stands out.

Beautiful styling that competes with some of the best available in this price point, hybrid or not. Definitely a looker.

Some interior components feel cheap. While most everything in the premium package is excellent, some of the knobs and seat covers give a cheap feel – most noticeably the wobbly pull down of the glove box.

Tiny trunk on par with a subcompact at only 9.9 cubic feet, thanks to the battery's placement. Unlike others in this hybrid segment, however, the Kia's seats still fold down to extend that space somewhat.

With some class-leading design elements and excellent leg room and interior space, this hybrid could set a gold standard for others in the segment to follow. It's performance and value put it on the list of hybrids to watch.

Test Period Length and Limitations
Two separate test vehicles were available on separate days. The first was a full package (highest MSRP) model which was driven for a short-term, 24 hour loan on surface roads and highways. The second was a slightly lower-tier package driven on a race track in Denver, Colorado (pictured).

This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid – Efficiency Without the Cramp

The Optima Hybrid offers the fuel economy of a much smaller car without compromising interior room, attractive styling, and a comfortable, sporty ride that belies its eco-friendliness. A strong hybrid entry from the Korean upstart.

A responsive and rewarding drive is guaranteed by the Optima Hybrid’s combined powertrain output (2.4-litre gasoline engine, plus electric motor) of 208 ps, with 265 Nm of torque – while achieving a 40.7 per cent improvement in fuel economy over the standard Optima 2.4 gasoline model.

The first thing you notice about the Kia Optima Hybrid is its aggressive, sporty styling – an unusual attribute in today's mid-sized market, especially for a hybrid. The mildly menacing grille and sleek fascia hint at performance and power and the lines along the sides to the integrated bump spoiler on the trunk give an impression of easy air flow and slippery speed. Once inside, the immediate impression is one of space and comfort.

The Optima offers 16-inch alloy wheels as standard, but the 17-inch option adds a level of driving refinement that improves the ride enough to justify the addition. Fog lamps, spoiler, and many other features you'd expect to be premium paid options are also standard on the base level Optima Hybrid.

The Kia Optima Hybrid sports a 2.4-liter DOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder engine putting out 206 horsepower coupled in parallel to a 40hp electric motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Despite it's 40mpg highway rating and 35mpg city, the car drives very well and pulls to freeway speeds without showing much effort.

The handling, drive, and performance are much more than expected from a hybrid. Kia has also done well with this car's interior space and accoutrement. On the race track, it wasn't a muscle car, but it handled better than a much more expensive Lexus CT200h on hard corners and latent curves.

Powerful performance and great economy all in one package. The Optima Hybrid is an unusual mix of both elements and is the better for it. In a market of lackluster mid-sized hybrid performance, this car really stands out.

Beautiful styling that competes with some of the best available in this price point, hybrid or not. Definitely a looker.

Some interior components feel cheap. While most everything in the premium package is excellent, some of the knobs and seat covers give a cheap feel – most noticeably the wobbly pull down of the glove box.

Tiny trunk on par with a subcompact at only 9.9 cubic feet, thanks to the battery's placement. Unlike others in this hybrid segment, however, the Kia's seats still fold down to extend that space somewhat.

With some class-leading design elements and excellent leg room and interior space, this hybrid could set a gold standard for others in the segment to follow. It's performance and value put it on the list of hybrids to watch.

Test Period Length and Limitations
Two separate test vehicles were available on separate days. The first was a full package (highest MSRP) model which was driven for a short-term, 24 hour loan on surface roads and highways. The second was a slightly lower-tier package driven on a race track in Denver, Colorado (pictured).

This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.