2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL TDI Start Up, Engine, and In Depth Tour

In this video I give a full in depth tour of the all new 2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL TDI. I take viewers on a close look through the interior and exterior of this car while showing details, over viewing of features, and noting unique styling cues to the vehicle itself. I also show the engine and the details of it, start it up and see how it sounds under acceleration. A thorough tour/review of this car designed to give others a greater overall appreciation of the vehicle.

[@freeravenadventures6925]

The 2012 Passat Design still looks new in 2018... Love me 2012 SE.

[@elinconcluso]

How reliable has your car been? Thank you

[@Meleknyla]

i was going to say that lmao

[@mustasheolll2020]

I was guessing 2011

[@acenzuez25]

Thumbs up for a 2013 Volkswagen SEL Premium TDI Video!

[@10camss]

Best timing ever. Just drove this car today and considering buying one. Love it!

[@RebelliousToast]

Solid reviews all around! Thanks for all of the videos!

[@jonny2k100]

I'm not sure about in the US but over here in the UK I think they come included on the top spec models

[@LordMaxJa]

Big styling difference between this US spec and our EU 2011 Passat. O kinda like your style and shape because it's different... One question tho: why none of US spec VWs don't have LED running lights and LED taillights? Even the B6 US spec Passat misses the LED taillights. What's up with that? Thanks Kyle for another pleasant video as always!

[@MercedesF700]

@TheJaCkle1999 I agree as well but then they are pretty necessary when it comes to low revving vehicles with redlines around 5-6K RPM. That way you wont harm your engine in any way.

[@fizzcarreviews7997]

4 years later😮

[@macjunky123]

@luisinhoens90 no offense but i don't see what's wrong with leather seats in a car. I've always preferred them. Their easier to clean, comfortable, and I also like that you don't have to add it as a thousand dollar option like say Porsche or BMW and any other German luxury/entry level luxury cars have.

[@danlins1407]

what is the pricing nowadays?

[@derrickforeal]

15k

[@AVIBobcat08]

If getting a VW go with the manual transmission, more fun to drive.

[@MangoSmoothie16]

@MercedesF700 My moms hyundai is front wheel drive with 230 crank. It doesnt torque steer too bad. But it probably has a horrible loss through the drivetrain.

[@jjchargerboy16]

@counkev Yes, yes it is.

[@argyrisdelakouras853]

Volkswagen passat is one of my favourite cars. Beatiful design....

[@mericdrives]

I've always been wondering that why do Americas not to choose project xenon headlamps.. It is beautiful, it is safer than the others, it is brighter than the others and it looks fantastic.. Here in Turkey, every 4 of 1 Renault car have Bi-Xenon headlamps (after 2004)

[@Meleknyla]

merhaba! ben bunu hiç bilemedim. Bu yorum için teşekkürler 😊

[@allanj7750]

Just got a 2013 Passat TDI SEL a few months ago on a CPO from a VW dealer. Awesome car. Even after the diesel fix it still gets great fuel economy compared to my 1.8T A4 B6. Plus with the 2 year unlimited millage bumper to bumper warranty with the additional emissions warranty I’m very satisfied with this car.

[@ogalief]

Test drove one that was nearly identical. The one I drove was a manual (the Canadian version comes with a manual on every trim), and it was definitely the nicest car that I have ever driven. Couldn't even tell that it's a diesel! It drove and handled really well for a car it's size. I was really impressed with the rear seat leg room and trunk size. I'm glad that VW kept the manuals available on all trim levels

[@MercedesF700]

My new favorite sedan! I love how Volkswagen makes such nice and quality products and then include the part of an economy car by having an optional diesel. Saved to my favorites, beautiful new sedan from Volkswagen! Saved to my favorites. Great vid as always Kyle!

[@christianbryant5617]

You can just tell this car was really well built..

[@jamtheman9940]

My Dad has a 2012 TDI SEL all blacked out and because of the engine problems has recieved over $40,000 for repairs and what not, and they also have replaced his entire engine, so it really technically only has 20k miles on it. My Dad is giving it to me in a couple of months and I absolutely love it and can’t wait

[@mxd6]

The Fender auto system is 400 watts and something I love! Just be careful not to rub the alloy rims against anything because they will take a bite out of the rim due to the low profile 235/45 18 tires. The only thing I do miss, is there isn't a back-up camera, but the 2014 SEL has them covered.

[@jasonsing5485]

I like this Car it's called Volkswagen Passat👍🚘😎👫👭🇩🇪

[@PianzaGT]

Cool car. The interior is amazing! I love beige seats with wooden console! And this analogic clock in the middle is great!

[@KingCarfanChristieson]

I love the Passat!

[@kingttx]

I'm a big guy, 6'2", and test drove one a couple months ago. Tons of room in the back seat even after I'd adjusted the driver's seat for my height. The salesman encouraged me to put it in sport mode and punch it, chirping the tires at about 30mph.

[@caigrei]

Intrati la mine pe canal am si eu unul poate facem schimb de idei

[@Adamv45]

It looks like a Chevy Impala from the late 90s

[@kapkap2342]

2012 Volkswagen Passat SEL, 2,504 miles

[@Chris060889]

Thanks for the review... would love to have the "US-Passat" in Germany as well... it's bigger than the normal European Passat.... but some people claim it would be too big for roads in the city for example -.- I can't understand them .... If they can't handle a bigger car, they simply should buy a smaller one -.-

[@knhl1808]

I love this new VW Passat! The front headlights remind me of the 08-12 Honda Accord headlights. Also I think it's cool how Volkswagen gives u the choice of push button start and also manually starting the car with an actual key. Most of these auto companies doesn't give u that option. For example, a 2010 Nissan Altima only has the push button. Is there a way to manually start the car if it were to stop working??? Does anybody know?

[@EpIC5KILlS]

Vw are always full of power the best in my mind

[@AkioWasRight]

I believe the DSG is the only automatic transmission available for the TDI and V6 Passat. If you have a V6 or TDI with an auto, it's a DSG trans. If you have the 5 cylinder, I think you only get the simple 6 speed automatic (Not the DSG). I hope I have that right.

[@AMBYT00]

Indeed you do have that right. Before VW sacrificed the TDI and the VR6 from the Passat, unless it had either of those engines, you got a 6 speed Aisin torque converted automatic. The barebone base model came with a 6 speed manual as standard (until 2015 I believe) which are rare and I’ve never seen one in person. My 2015 has that transmission paired to the 1.8T. Eventually, VW got rid of the 1.8T and only offered the 2.0T before killing the Passat completely for the U.S. Frankly the SEL premium was the one to go for. Fully loaded it was a nice car. I have a Limited with leatherette. I can personally say the leather seats are a lot better, along with the interior trim and options, also considering I don’t have the MFI. I have a mid 2000’s era center display and I can’t personalize options like the more advanced MFI. I might be able to get around that by using VCDS but that means being careful so I don’t screw anything up. 😂

[@chriskeller3705]

I bought one of these a little over a year ago. Luckily I live in Texas, so I was able to just delete all the emissions bullshit. That brought my MPG up to 57. It’s funny how removing the equipment designed to lower pollution actually resulted in less fossil fuel consumption 😂

[@ecoRfan]

40+ highway MPG, 800-mile cruising range, and it drives really well. What a fine car.

[@carlosc30]

Unfortunately They Don’t Make The TDI anymore

[@anthonycarreviews1528]

passat is better than Camry and accord passat is the best winning sedan

[@hakeemsd70m]

Camry and Accord are soulless appliances. Passat has personality.

[@benjamincaron46]

And let's be honest, do you really want to drive a Toyota? Of course not! Unless you have the money to take care of a Passat.

[@samlarkin1810]

Rear end of this one looks so much better than the euro version tbh. Doesn't look like such an old mans car but both are great.

[@dmob85]

Beautiful car. I built the exact same model on VW's site and the price is ~29k, which is extremely low for such a nice car :)

[@pinksnowbirdie2938]

What I love is that the estimated range of the Passat TDI.

[@alexlee6487]

1:38 It also has push button ignition. Just put your foot on the break, hit the button to start. Easy to learn Kyle!

[@jetjaguar13]

SOLD! I know its a year later, but thank you for this video. I am currently looking for a TDI and needed more info on it before going to a dealership.

[@AYouTubeChannelwithNoName]

Make that 9 years...

[@landonlefevre5167]

My dad's has a 2012 Passat which is the base model, has manual transmission, and gasoline instead of diesel

[@KingCarfanChristieson]

The Passat is a nice car. My dad has a white 2012 Passat SEL it's really nice

[@dalejohnson5349]

+KingCarfan2016 Christieson dont copy king you crazy like your mama

[@yazwiththecannon6716]

Dale Johnson I don’t think he’s copying. Maybe he does have the same car. It’s a big world out there.

[@DoopaVII]

Just upgraded from a 2005 F150 to a 2012 passat tdi. Only has 55k miles.

[@giannagorgg1156]

Getting mine Saturday!! Last year made TDI 2015 and I’m finally getting one!! Also just for a 2021 Tiguan that orange burnt color soooo nice!!

[@Mohamedzaherelshawarby]

مختلفة عن المصرية

[@JakeRoot]

5:56 "They're also heated"..the way you said that made me die laughing.

[@RockyFoxxowo]

5:56

[@indralewis1584]

No this is not fair why does the 2012 VW P as more Features then my 2014 🤯😡

[@momoni90]

Love the color black I have the 2013 Passat SE 3.6 it rides very smooth I test drove a Camry first but I had a bad feeling so I was bit unsure so when I seen the Passat before I made a deal for the Camry I took the Passat for a test drive and I was sold.

[@sebastian5914]

Hi kyle liked you review. I was wondering if you can do a review on a 2015 Volkswagen jetty gli sel in gray for me please? Thank you!

[@alexlee6487]

I wish there was air vents in the back seat, as well as a 12 V outlet and heated rear seats

[@Jon3800]

@EduWestCoastRap ya but its a diese here, l they're not designed to be revved to high. Look at most of the durmax's and power strokes...their max they go to 5000rpm with a redline of 4k

[@Eevee_133]

About to get a 2014 TDI SEL premium. I sadly just wrecked my focus

[@Nebraskahusker23]

@7477238 The last generation of the Golf (including GTI), Jetta, and Passat from around 2006-2009 were definitely higher quality than the newer models.

[@MBenzSL65]

You've got it backwards for the most part, compare a 2006 A6 to a 2006 Passat, you'll see that the Audi seems much more "dated" and you will find that the 2006-mid year 2008's had an oil burning problem, not a serious problem in most cases, but there nonetheless. Audi didn't have those engine problems, VW got it together and revamped their motors to prevent the problems from ending up in the more expensive Audi's.

[@SNLGUY]

The chrome side trim seems too low to be dent/ding effective.

[@Armixs]

I don't think so, you'd be buying this car for the MPG and comfort

[@keno.3043]

Its a very nice lookin volkswagen just wished it had led head and tail lamps!:$ hope the next model will be more luxurious!:)

[@kristengray793]

LED would’ve made it look so nice

[@juan563]

Where's the 1.6 and the 78 mpg? You an buy them in Europe, but not here - US Government forbids their sale here. Even though they are made here, they can't be sold here - they have to be shipped overseas. How's that grab ya America?

[@JakeRoot]

How's the reliability? I want my dad to buy this car but he wants a reliable car. He had an accident recently (totaled his car) and doesn't want to spend too much on a car, but wants good mileage (mpg). I really don't want another Prius.

[@MercedesF700]

@sainteustatious If it had over, lets say 230 horses WITH Front wheel drive and then if you floored the car you would have so much torque steer it would be dangerous. If you want power then go for the R32. 4 wheel drive with 250 horses, is that enough?

[@AnaheimBN]

@ddnn3 I bet there is CVT in drive mode there is no gears and RPM goes to about 4x and accelerate smoothly, gearbox in sport mode has virtual gears where rpm and changing gears works like in manual.

[@robertpsotka3525]

Just bought a 2012 Passat TDI , hope it does me good like I think it will

[@BladeCarver89]

Erm, the 75MPG (Imperial gallon, btw) VW Polo Bluemotion is the model that I believe you're referring to. It hasn't been brought to the US YET because there simply wasn't enough demand for it. The newest generation of said car was paraded around all the significant auto shows in the country, but no one was interested. But hey, if the God-awful Smart car and diabolical Toyota Prius C is selling by the bucket-load, hopefully VW might be changing their mind. Also, it's made in Germany.

[@jvbeattie1]

I am American and I only buy manual transmission cars (except for my wife). I agree that that to truly feel that connection to the car and the road you need a manual transmission. I was seriously considering the passat tdi mt and the other day I drove a Passat tdi 6sp mt and was so disappointed in the steering feel - or lack of. It was way to easy and light. I drove the jetta - and was much more impressed - lots of road/steering feel. Passat prob better on freeway, but didn't get a chance.

[@3point14rat]

Great choice of music at 7:40 and 8:40. very apropriate for the target market (children of the 80's). I have a '13 arriving in Calgary in mid Sept (2 or 3 weeks) and am PUMPED. I don't know anyone who has one, but my drive is around 180km per day, so I don't mind being the guinea pig. My kids hated test driving until we came to it and the vast back seats were a hit. Sucks that the spare is a doughnut and not a full size tire. But that's not a big deal compared to the many positives.

[@askaribr1]

owned passat2005 (2nd best car 4 me), E280 2008 (for 5 yrs,u know its the best), ford fusion (good mileage & amazed by that car handling but cheap inside little bit), 2010, camry2009 (boring, ugly, drives like shit and could not stand it for 8 month, bad gas mileage, not interesting at all), elantra 2011(gas eater, EPA is not true at all,nice inside & feel good in handling),PRADO( not sure if builder of this car is crazy or F stupid. its not a car at all got it brand new from my company.

[@52ownsyou]

Audi parts cost no more than VW parts, BUT choose your dealer carefully. The Audi and VW dealers near me have very different labor rates. Both Audi dealers are Porche/ Audi, the VW is paired with subaru across the parking lot. I have and still own multiple examples of both brands and some VW's differ little from their Audi counterpart Jetta/Golf/A3 and VW's are quite a bit different than comparably sized Audis. The A4 and Passat are now different cars and share fewer parts than in the past.

[@52ownsyou]

When I say Camry, The Passat just doesn't have the same german character of their earlier generations of the Passat It's much more vanilla. It's a HUGE car for a Midsize anda very nice car specifically designed for american tastes. at first it looks like it's light on content until you get into it. I can put the drivers seat all the way back and still cross my legs in the back seat. I love it Come out with a new WAGON and I'll buy two more cars. The Jettasportwagon is just too small.

[@52ownsyou]

The new Passat is a VW Camry. "ve had mine since february. It's a 100% different experience than my 03 Passat W8 wagon. it rides and drives 100% differently and feels totally different, but I enjoy it. I love the TDI engine and mileage. I've yet to get less than 750 miles per tank (17.+ gallons). The ride is very different, typically firm, my not in a typical german VW way...It's no S4 quattro, but the TDI power is hands down better suited to most american drving than a gasoline motor.

[@jonny2k100]

I live in the UK and I have to say that I love America but what I don't understand is why as soon as you put your diesel in cars they sound awful. From the outside this car sounds like the old Peugeot 405 HDI we used to have 10 years ago. From my understanding it is because the fuel you guys have isn't refined as well as here in Europe, I think it's to do with demand or something.

[@Southerngravy50]

I love this car but a few gripes. Where are the HID options, park distance control, and a feature they have here in Japan on the Passat Variant the auto start-stop feature. Thats what I call options and at todays conversion rates its only $1189 more than the US SEL TDI plus its a wagon??? Not to mention that TDI in the video is the states TDI everywhere else gets a sportier TDI engine with more hp and torque without sacrificing mileage just saying...

[@DrCharlesMontague]

If my parents' '07 Camry LE was allowed a hydraulic strut hood support, then a VW Passat should DAMN WELL have one too!!! Sounds trivial, but that speaks of cheap touches elsewhere. This is a handsome car that will age well, and I'm sure it will be more user-and-maintenance-friendly than older Passats, but I hate the new horn (sounds like a Ford), and it looks more like an interstate cruiser than autobahn stormer. The wood trim looks real enough, but the pattern is just too formal for a Passat.

[@FanDeAlguersuari]

This version is a quite different than the european one by the way, "Carolina Volkswagen" it's exactly the same building of Volkswagen from my city, but not the parking

[@kurtrusellpatrickswayze]

@Jon3800 yea but 2500 is too low if the only thing you want to do is prevent from blowing up the engine, if thats the reason they could have put it at 4k or something

[@MercedesF700]

@sainteustatious Sure but, with this kind of car its not really necessary to have much horsepower, I mean its a diesel. If you want power why not just opt for the V6?

[@CRJDEGREE]

lol, I have to agree with you but then I wouldn't mind seeing it if the dam text didn't look the way it does... Just white on black background that looks like it was written on a chalk board or something. lol what you think? Maybe if there was a nice VW logo pop up in color with some color text it would that have made a difference? Sure would be a better eye please for me.

[@52ownsyou]

More correctly, Audi, the fools VW! ;) I have owned both brands for years and know the differences and similarities between the brands well and still wouldn't trade my A4 quattro cabriolet or my Passat w8 wagon for anything. kept both and bought the 2012 TDI for my 100mile R/t commute so my babies can stay in the garage.

[@IMAWARRIOR89]

Small penised men? Ha speak for yourself man but Audi is alot more than just a rebadged VW. Its what Acura is to Honda. Lexus to Toyota. Its there premium luxury brand so there are some differences such as performance and features not found on VW. If it were that plain and simple as you put it, Audi would cease to exist.

[@petayV8]

VW still have the idea that if you buy a diesel you dont deserve as many options as a gas model, this wont do good in the USA when you can buy a lexus or GM sedan for less and have more options. also how you going to have a rev limiter at 2500 i couldnt keep up with the traffic with my old diesel unless i thrashed it, 2.0L also

[@Jon3800]

@EduWestCoastRap I know they suck, but hey least it prevents you from potentially blowing your motor up.

[@TheCompyshop]

Gets the same MPG as a hybrid gasoline car, has MUCH more power, and will last much longer. I have over 240k miles on my TDI VW Golf. I'm getting 48mpg, more than the EPA estimations, and more than a brand new 2012 gasoline hybrid. Just regular oil changes. that's it.

[@michaelteter]

Diesel should cost less than gasoline. Refining oil into gasoline is a complex process, whereas diesel is much easier to make from oil. Why it's more expensive in the US now, I don't know. It used to be cheaper in the US. It's cheaper in Europe than gasoline.

[@jerro95]

What the hell? Why would they not sell the 75mpg ones in the States. How in the world could that affect "economic reasons". This car could possibly be a good economic decision for people who want better more practical car and gas saving car. What "economic reasons" did he address?

[@superabed]

I'm really impressed as an european how the Americans accepted to "downsize" their lifestyle importing diesel cars, thinking for e.g. at the Fiat 500 1.3 mJet... Starting think about consumption and so on... Quiet impressive... Btw was a great review... Great job! Greetings from Italy

[@AvalonMan96]

It's always irritated me how VW is insistent on forcing leather (both real AND fake) on customers that want a TDI in the Passat. Many would like cloth seats instead. They do the same thing on the Jetta. Last I checked, only way to get cloth/TDI is to get the Golf.

[@TheV12Diesel]

Now look at the European Passat and compare. The Americans have ruined the Passat and Jetta and the Golf is next on the chopping block. This horrible travesty of a car is why we can't have nice things in North America. I don't want a VW Camry and VW Corolla if I wanted that I'd buy a Toyota.

[@RyanMoran1992]

@bigvirgotube I have an 00 Passat GLX and Its never had a problem! The V6 was a great engine, the 1.8T not so much :P Electrically though, im just waiting for something to fail haha still got it and love it though. Totally agree about the Americanizing of the new range however.

[@sainteustatious]

@MangoSmoothie16 sorry i guess i didn't word what i was saying correctly. i was talking about the gas version. the biggest motor is only 200 hp which isn't enough frankly. i mean its enough, but not if you want to be competitive with other german car manufacturers or petrol heads

[@mericdrives]

We have Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 170 PS DSG 7-speed 4x4 option here in Turkey and of course all across Europe. Believe it or not, it is better than US Passat

[@TheEryk03]

@Djordjeblrs stop bulshitting, European version has the same interior, same equiped and better quality. In my opinion European wersion looks better.

[@Djordjeblrs]

@TheEryk03 yes, but european Passat B7 is just recycled B6 in therms of styling. This one looks better, has nicer interior and it's better equiped.

[@liddlebopeep]

Not only the transmission. VW's are notorious for electronic gremlins, they need frequent brake service, have faulty suspensions and the list goes on. VW's look terrific and are very tempting but I'd stay far, far away from them. Too much trouble.

[@TheCompyshop]

Actually he is telling the truth. There are Volkswagon models that get shipped outside of the US and won't ever get sold here. They get over 75mpg. Heck, Volvo even has a clean burning diesel Hybrid. 150mpg. Won't ever see US market places.

[@ramsey3114]

only in the sel model , it`s a wonderful car i even get 46 mpg at 75 mile/ hr go for it i did buy mine in So California from Galpin fodr there was an Egyptian sales man very knowledgeable who helped me so we did buy 2 cars,. Ramsey

[@SickPig99]

I believe Diesel is more expensive than gas in the US is that nobody really buys diesel cars in the US, so that means supply and demand go down, so the price goes up. That's just my own thoughts, so I don't know if that's actually what is happening.

[@askaribr1]

honestly, there is nothing like the Benz & passat in gas, reliability, handling, oil and gas kinda cars. u need to own those cars to speak up and have data. Ford is after germans cars. Big thx to Germans. others please do the same.

[@freeballer81]

I wanted to be offended that VW gave us our own Passat and even build it in the US, but I really like this damn thing. The new Jetta not so much...wish they would make a wagon version of the North American Passat. TDI makes my mouth water.

[@WesMantooth_Channel9]

Diesel engines are great and they might be quieter than they were a few years ago but that motor still sounds like crap. It's nice you had to open the door in order to hear it. Also, does the media center seem a bit slow to respond to commands?

[@gab13005]

@Bimmersnob couldn't say better. did you see the european passat ? way better ! and where are the 2.0T and the wagon, common a 2.5 in a passat is a real shame! the only things better are the climate control unit, mirrors and that analog clock.

[@ratmtbola]

@cacarca Yep it's a downgrade. In order to lower the price, it's quite a bit cheaper than the previous gen Passat. Before that VW was sort of a premium-ish manufacturer, now they're positioning themselves next to Ford, Toyota etc..