March 28--Volkswagen has a problem.
It doesn't begin or end with the refreshed Passat, but the middling midsize provides a convenient case study.
First, to address the dirty elephant in the room, there is no diesel for the 2016 model due to the ongoing unresolved 7-month-old scandal where VW used a software cheat to rig emissions tests for compliance on its turbo diesel models.
The fuel-efficient diesel was the Passat's one big competitive advantage in an otherwise homogenous segment, responsible for more than a quarter of Passat sales, according to Autotrader, until people learned it was a big fat dirty lie.
If I sound bitter than consider what a VW dealer is feeling.
The world's second largest automaker, which was poised to top Toyota as top dog in 2015, has struggled in the U.S. during a historic auto boom. Audi and Porsche have buoyed VW Group here, but so far in 2016 sales are down nearly 14 percent for VW, according to Business Insider. Volkswagen market share is down to 1.7 percent, barely edging out Mazda.
Even without the diesel scandal, the refreshed Passat is indicative of the slowness of VW to adapt to a rapidly changing market. If you can overlook that VW whiffed on the crossover craze, or take exception because of the outstanding 2015 Golf, then you can't mistake that the updated Passat is just plain boring.
Nearly every other automaker has aggressively restyled their midsize of late, with the exception of the redesigned Hyundai Sonata, which in its toned down state is still more distinct than the Passat.
That's a shame for a nameplate over 40 years old that, until the 2009 arrival of the CC and the larger 2012 redesign, was one of the most distinct and luxury-leaning mainstream midsize sedans available.
Volkswagen obliged on the tech and safety update the Passat so badly needed, but otherwise left it the same. The hood gets a slightly raised middle portion, the front fender is more defined and the lower grille appears different. VW says only the roof, doors and sides haven't been changed, but you'd have to look really hard, even side by side, to see the changes.
The powertrains remain the same, without the TDI diesel. There is an available 3.6-liter V-6 engine, though we tested the 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder with the six-speed automatic in the SE with Technology trim. The TSI (turbo stratified injection -- aka direct injection) engine makes a grumpy 170 horsepower and a sunnier 184 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm. The car jumps on throttle without much lag, though the naturally aspirated Mazda6 and Nissan Maxima are far better inside and out. The six-speed automatic is smooth and quick, barely noticeable.
