Motor Trend Magazine, which picks the Car of the Year, said the Passat's style is clean and simple, like more luxury vehicles.
Many critics labeled the Passat "drab" and "cheap-looking" when it was unveiled, but Motor Trend said closer inspection shows excellent detailing.
The new Passat is larger than previous models. The diesel manual transmission gets up to 31 miles per gallon in the city, and 43 on the highway.
