2012 VW Passat

VW says this new European Passat isn't necessarily our new Passat, but it might be. They're being cagey since reaction to this design has been real lukewarm. It picks up a lot of the styling cues of the newly redone Jetta which has been very heavily mainstream. Interior restyled as well. Nice looking, but the big idea for VW in the US going forward is to do battle with Camry and Accord, so they've also released sketches of what could be a different Passat for the US market which they just called the new midsized sedan for now. Whatever becomes the new Passat for the US, it's expected to start closer to $20,000, not around the current $27,000. Engines will include a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder--we know that one, a V6--we know that one, and a 2-liter TDI--we know that one. The coolest piece of tech, easy open trunk, with your arms full of stuff but the key in your pocket, just waggle your foot under the bumper and the trunk pops open.