Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) launched the Passat sedan in 2020 with a new facelift, the Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance. It features a redesigned front and rear end, an updated powertrain, an updated infotainment system, as well as new convenience and safety features.

The measurements are 4,775 mm in length, 1,832 mm in width, 1,462 mm in height, and weigh 1,455 kg with a wheelbase spanning 2,786 mm. 

The Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance exudes a clean and sporty exterior with a redesigned twin-slat grille that has chrome detailing finishes. It also gets a smoother and more aerodynamic looking front bumper which is paired with triangular-shaped fog lights and sleek looking lower air vents connecting them. 

At the rear, it has a minimalist overall design with the Volkswagen badge and Passat script commanding the layout. The rear bumper has been redesigned with sharper creases and a diffuser-like black insert that gets thinly-shaped fog lights integrated into them.

The front headlamps are installed with IQ light LED units with LED daytime running lights. The angular shaped head lights give out a really focused look for the Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance.

At the back, the tail lamps are of a new design and come with triple L-shaped graphics and are made up of LED combination units with sequential indicators. The tail light graphics resembles to the one on a Lamborghini Aventador and it’s in a slightly slimmer angular-like shape to match with the front. 

It is power adjusted and power folded, with turn-indicator and blind-spot warning indicators.

Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance is equipped with 18-inch, grey coated multiple spokes design alloy rims with 235/45 tyres.

The design is modern, with a digital cockpit and a more driver-oriented layout. The streamlined air-conditioning vents design remains but the overall layout of the dashboard gets premium looking black panels with brushed metal trims and piano-black inserts as a detailing finish.  

Installed with a new and improved 11.7-inch full LCD digital cockpit with a TFT-MID system. Able to incorporate functions and features with a six-view customizable screen with over 30 combination options, including 2D and 3D graphic display for navigation and media. 

The seats are finished in a combination of full black Vienna leather. It comes with a 12-way power-adjustable and also lumbar support function front seats with driver’s side memory and a massage function.

Front and rear occupants get ample space. The Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance offers plenty of head and legroom. For the rear occupants, leg space will not be an issue even if the transmission tunnel restricts foot space for the middle-seat passenger.

It has numerous storage areas including big door pockets, compartmentalized storage areas in the centre console and also a decent-sized glove box.

There are 4 cup holders, 2 located in the front centre console, while the other 2 located at the rear’s centre armrest. As for bottle holders, it gets 4 with one located on each side door panel.  

The Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance gets two 12-volt power sockets with one located in the front centre console and one in the cargo area. It also has 3 type-C USB sockets, 2 in the front centre console and one in the centre console armrest compartment. 

With 586 litres of boot space, it is able to fit up to 4 pet carriers with ease. 

The Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance features Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Brake Assist (BA), Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS), Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Monitoring System, Hill-hold Control, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Proactive Passenger Protection System.

Passive safety includes six airbags, seat belt anchors and pre-tensioners. It also gets ISOFIX and a tyre pressure monitoring system.   

Four drive modes available - Eco, Comfort, Normal and Sport.

The new Side Assist with Rear Cross Traffic Alert system that comes with 180-degree detection will make driving on the highway a much more relaxing task. 

The Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance features a 9.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with Discover Pro system which has voice control, gesture control and customizable three-view split screen. Apart from that, it gets the Wireless App-Connect system that includes wireless connection for Apple CarPlay. 

The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged TSI engine produces 190 hp of max power at 4,180 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 320 Nm of torque at 1,500 rpm to 4,180 rpm.

Installed with a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) with wet dual-clutch transmission.

Power is sent to its front wheels.

The Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance can go from 0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 238 km/h. 

The fuel tank capacity is 66-litres and it is capable of delivering a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.5-litres for every 100 km on the new Worldwide Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle.  

It has keyless entry, cruise control, automatic powered boot operation, push-button start, triple-zone automatic climate control, multi-function steering wheel, steering tilt and telescopic functions, 12-way power-adjustable front seats with driver’s side memory and a massage function, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, automated rear windscreen blinds, voice control, gesture control and a 360-degree parking camera.

There’s a rear air vent located at the centre, behind the front occupant’s arm rest.

The seats are comfortable and the ride quality is good. It is agile over bumpy surfaces yet firm enough to be pushed hard.

The Passat 2.0 TSI Elegance has a noise level of 60 db at 60 km/h and 64 db at 90 km/h. Therefore it has good sound insulation, with its road noise mostly muted.