2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI Drive and Review

( www.TFLcar.com ) The 2012 Volkswagen Passat Turbo Diesel TDI is the only front wheel drive mid-sized sedan with a diesel engine and a dual clutch gearbox that you can buy in America.

[@dtownkid]

the background music makes me think I am watching a Harry Potter movie.

[@TFLcar]

@pbrinzei "Old Technology" refers to the fact that the diesel engine was invented in 1892 by Rudolf Diesel

[@TFLcar]

@brihamlin1 Thanks for the kind words about the review. It's an iPhone app called G-tac

[@billg8651]

I have owned my Passat TDI for 6 months. At first the 0-60 was slow but after a lot of aggressive driving it is a lot faster, I raced my friend who just bought his and I smoked him. So the acceleration gets a lot better

[@brandenkhan15]

You guys have been making some entertaining car reviews for some time now... keep it up!!

[@aconfusedazn]

i loved the soundtrack this time. you guys are great!

[@victorvictorwhatsup]

excellent review as always! This is my #1 source for car info!

[@techdude6693]

I always like Nathan's wardrobe consisting of defunct car brands :)

[@OfficialXtraload]

You get the like alone for the Yugo-Shirt! Keep up the good work :)

[@Datnigromeo]

Love the introduction!!!!!!!!

[@amunderdog]

one of your better reviews

[@michcool1012]

How was the overall snowy weather driving? I'm used to AWD cars

[@the2s2scorpion]

i thumbed up this video for the hard work of the effects

[@praetorian457]

Nice t-shirt,greetings from serbia.

[@dranterpreet]

Thanks for quirky reply. Did it let you feel that you needed all wheel drive at any point?

[@Stevens_Images]

Thank you for the clarification!

[@brihamlin1]

Great review...I think we're ready for a diesel like that here in the States. Hey were can I get on of those "accelerometers"?

[@SuperRabee]

Nice Video guys! keep it up

[@nsmsam]

The OEM rear view camera for Passat is available on Amazon

[@homeboylx]

I know right, I went by an Exxon here in Houston and gas was $3.49 while diesel was only 10cents more at $3.59.

[@evans4you]

good one guys, could you please het your hands on the mercedes s 350 bluetec diesel, and also the bmw 335d I'm really curious about those too and I'm a diesel head

[@clarkinthedark1]

America is ready for a car that burns diesel. I've had a Passat TDI for 6 months now and its terrific. It's amazing that a car that big can get north of 40+MPG. On a 100 mile drive in SoCal I got 59.8MPG with two passengers, AC on, and a truckload of stuff.

[@jasonschutz1262]

I got a 2013 TDI and put 2500 miles on it and find it to be a great car, fun to drive and I'm getting 45mpg+ , 50mpg freeway if I baby it. This is a great commuter car, my daily drive120 miles in S.Ca. Also the cost of deisel is often less than gas and with over 700 miles on a tankfull, I don't need to fill up often. BTW I looked at the hyrids, electric and econo-box and found the Passat TDI is the best commuter car if you value comfort economy, styling, effciency and fun!

[@TheNavydude2006]

I have had my 2013 TDI 6 speed manual since Oct 2012 with 20,000KM as I am always commuting between Toronto, Kingston and Ottawa on weekends! Get 1300KM hwy, city 700-800KM and 850-1000KM combined!

[@spforsupergringo1980]

yeah good review but does nathan fit ???

[@TCB1468]

My dad might be getting a TDI SEl but you have to wait 120-150 days for them to order them. Any other suggestions on cars?

[@TFLcar]

We believe that manufactures and car magazines publish 0-60 MPH times that are completely unrealistic for owners to achieve. Sure if you test a car at a drag strip with tons of traction, one gallon of gasoline and a driver that weights 120 pounds at or below sea level, with multiple launches for the perfect result...you might be able to replicate the published 0-60 MPH time. But in the real world, in general, times are at least 2 seconds slower.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

The Fast Lane Car I once owned a 1979 Trans Am automatic with the 403 Oldsmobile engine WS6. They listed it in the 1/4 mile at 15.9 seconds. I took it to the New England Dragway and registered 15.9 in the quarter mile.

[@theGbak47]

@1rustyb I suggest the ISF, you won't be disappointed as the S350 is a 3.5 v6 0-60 about 7.6 while the lexus is a lot more cheaper and you get 5.0 V8 RWD 0-60 4.8 fully optioned. and if you wait for the 2013 you get extra for same price, but if you're looking for class check out the 2013 LS600HL. hope that helps mate

[@Uninfluenceable]

what state are you in that you have such cheap gasoline? Here in California diesel is about the same price as 91 gas, around $4.25

[@BIGCHRIS7600]

So back in the day were there any other cars other than the Mercedes that offered a diesel?

[@clarkinthedark1]

What's a B segment diesel? Is that like the european VW Golf Bluemotion that gets 75MPG?

[@tbok75]

The whole greener aspect of it... is the mileage better enuf to justify spending more at the pump? I hated putting premium in my 96 Bonneville SSEi, even if it got 80mpg. Its like sticker shock. I just got can't fathom the extra cost for being green. I like my green to stay in my pocket. :)

[@Moparman58]

great review. i think diesel's are great, they last longer and have better fuel economy, i want to see more diesels here

[@techdude6693]

@gab13005 No it stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection. Google TDI

[@76carmel]

I see VW's TDi models with the Jetta and Passat as alternatives to Hybrids. Only drawback with Diesel costing more than premium fuel, a lot of people would be dismissive to that, but shouldn't be. 30 city/ 42 highway should awaken some. It's also VW's clean diesel. Can you use any type of diesel (especially biodiesel) in the Jetta and Passat?

[@lyons207]

Does this Passat do the window trick? Like all vw?

[@PetarVN]

Dipends where you live in souther europe diesel is 3/4 price of gasolene. They forgot to say it has 140HP but with that much torque out of a 4 cylynder diesel is impressive

[@ThePsychodo]

where is the "can Nathan fit" part?

[@SavageListener]

I have an 82 Mercedes 300D. Some things are falling apart but the diesel will not stop running. There is not much maintenance needed and the engine lasts forever. But it is slow at cold start.

[@gaijinblow]

I wanted to get a VW TDI, but the only diesels my dealers have are like the high end ones that cost 32k :(

[@ryanohare611]

could you please tell me the name of the opening song??

[@dranterpreet]

Hey Nathan, how was your experience of driving this car in snow? I see there is small amount of snow there, how does this Passat TDI behave in good amount of snow on the tarmac? Thanks

[@smifnwess93]

Any awnsers

[@gnarkill57]

I truck stop near my house has diesel urethra pumped for 2.80 a gallon. You do need to fill it in a gas can then pour it into the car.

[@nickmoreland6630]

I wish they would have discussed the diesel price with the better gas mileage factored in. Might be cheaper than petrol if you factor in how many times you have to fill it up in a year

[@hejmuesli]

It is a real pity you did not talk about MPG. Not so much the factory numbers, but what you attained while driving it. Other than that, great review.

[@gwmkwan]

well it really depends on which province Average price in Alberta on Diesel vs Gasoline are pretty close I have seen in the past Diesel price has been cheaper then Gasoline for a while

[@Roberto1492one]

great car

[@commonsense369]

That's a question best answered by the engineers at VW. I would suggest asking them. Not intended to be snarky.

[@user-zb3gi1nu4r]

i have a leak in my gas tank 2012 vw passat how do i change can anyone tell me

[@NathanDAdlen]

@BIGCHRIS7600 Oh yes, there were many in the U.S. I remember the Peugeot 504 & 505s, VW Rabbit Diesels, Oldsmobile Delta 88 diesels and Isuzu P’up among others. Thanks for watching!

[@importcarenthusiast]

Nice. Id buy a blue one with a manual transmission (if thats even available here in the states).

[@NathanDAdlen]

It did very well. Keep in mind, the Passat was wearing mud and snow tires, but overall it was very stable and predictable. No traction issues and a smooth Camry-like ride on and off the snow. Thanks for watching!

[@WillBegoable]

I was just remarking the Passat TDI's "real world" acceleration is right around its "advertised" acceleration. I account this to the diesel's robust nature at shrugging off additional stresses with little negative results (its very consistent).

[@nismology]

Because it's TDI (turbo) as opposed to SDI (non-turbo), which are both Volkswagen direct injected diesel engines. They needed a way to differentiate the two. It has nothing to do with gassers one way or the other.

[@NathanDAdlen]

Nope, not for 90% of the time. It is a fairly heavy front-drive vehicle so there were a few moments of wheel-spin from a standstill. Overall control is soft and easygoing. As long as there are good mud & snow tires on, the grip is impressive. I only lost traction in a driveway covered in ice - that was the only time I wanted all-wheel drive. Thanks for watching!

[@mazinais31]

so why don't they put TDI on their direct injection turbocharged gasoline engines but only on diesels?

[@NathanDAdlen]

@gab13005 Well, if you want to get technical, we could call it "Turbocharged Dieseleinspritzung" - but calling it a turbo-diesel is the fast, lazy way that means the exact same thing. Thanks for watching!

[@chrisblued4]

the 0-60 clip is from your other video :s

[@fantomtuba]

Where are you finding gas under $3?

[@iKnoRiiTe]

nice intro

[@memphis407]

I love diesel and think they are great. Infact right now I am trying to get a 2010 jetta TDI sportwagon but iver sees its called the Golf wagon. Since my current car is only getting 20 hwy A TDI will be a excellent. In America Diesel cost much more than 87octane gas about 30-50cents more per gallon. So right now our diesel market is mostly trucks. That is changing though because now GM has the cruze diesel which is a first for an american car company in almost 30 years

[@johnnyedify]

They should use the napkin test instead of the trick software.

[@luismrod84]

Must have dual rear pipes to get my attention.

[@da72ma]

I want the VW Diesel back... next year I will replace a vehicle with a low mileage Passat TDI and I might get myself a Jetta or Beetle TDI the year after... I had a Jetta and it was wonderful... the torque and the mpg possible... driving fuel economic became a sport... now on that note... get the standard transmission if you don't mind the manual shifting... the manual just fits the motor... maybe you should make a diesel gate video... past, present, and future... name what happened to all the VW Diesels... what is VW doing with Diesels in Europe... is it coming back in the US... and how feasible is it now to purchase a low mileage VW Diesel... well maybe... with a little luck... on the Fast Lane Car...

[@SoundgardenMan]

The only thing that would have made this review better is if at 4:33 they chucked something at Captain Spandex there!

[@GORT70]

Mpg?

[@ZorlocMortimer]

And to think, anything I ever experienced the manufacturers numbers are generally rather conservative. I will agree with the magazines though, especially Car and Driver, they're usually quicker. But I've yet to at least personally find a manufacturer that (if they even publish times) show faster numbers.

[@kaishuwaza]

yugo shirt?????

[@mazinais31]

the guy was arguing about what tdi means, i own a b6 2.0 tdi passat... i know what it is... now maybe you can't get a non turbocharged gasoline but just a few years ago there were 2.0 fsi in passat .. i think 1.6 fsi was also a thing but i guess they were replaced with 1.2 , 1.4 and 1.8 tsi's ... aw - and the vr6's are not turboc/supercharged... they still put the 3.6 in the cc altho i guess they're no longer in regular passat, also there were sdi diesels some years ago... without turbochargers

[@ExotiKZBoy17]

It does sound like Fran Dresher

[@Xeyad]

Roman...smelling diesel is very dangerous...some doctors say it could be one of the symptoms of lung cancer.. We all care about you Roman! Keep up your reviews...

[@jgreen8339]

I bet you regret putting your face that near after diesel gate :). Way more common in UK. At one point 54% of new cars sold were diesels.

[@coorsleftfield]

Diesel is not 80 cents more these days, it's more like 15 cents more. Lets hope it stays that way.

[@EVILGOKU1986]

Why didn't u guys mention what the car gas mileage was thats the reason you would get a turbo diesel car

[@brihamlin1]

@romanmicagearguy Cool thanks...I am going to get that app.

[@lrtsuqa1996]

@geekworks 40 MPG

i love to have this in MEXICO... i'll buy it right away

[@nancywaiganjo7357]

NinO

[@siwini]

Do they come all wheel drive?

[@yesno.idontknow.587]

No front wheel drive only

[@Bizija123]

for the last time, TDI stands for TURBO DIRECT INJECTION. Not Diesel, although it doesn't really matter. BTW great t-shirt. Yugo forever!

[@007dutchgirl]

Why is that guy wearing a Yugo shirt?

[@jeffersonperry]

diesel and gas same price in san diego...

[@memphis407]

until diesel comes down in price in the US you would be better off with a gas engine soothing like the new mazda 6 with skyactive that is getting 38MPG.

[@theGbak47]

@onoff314 i know there aren't but i said if you want performance but less luxury get an lexus ifs but i would prefer luxury over performance get the s-class. however the IF does compete with C class, but id rather get the ISF because it is cheaper, faster and the 2013 is just plain luxury

[@BillSklodowski]

Really? You guys do a complete 180 in time for the next model year? In a video with this car (13 model) and either the Accord or Altima (I don't remember), you switched who would buy and who would not!! What changed your minds...?

[@nmende00]

0-60 in 9 sec is exactly what VW promises. But given the fact that ihigh altitude had no effect on its performance and it gets 30mpg in city 40 mpg highway with real seating for 5 man size adults (1200lb payload) and 15.9 cu ft of trunk space, it is even more incredible.The Chrysler 300 with 3.6L V6 and 300 hp did 0-60 in 9.01 sec at that altitude.

[@MaddiRauba]

AYY boulder

[@meloche1syndrome]

Diesels pollute less than standard gasoline, they emit soot but its not harmful.

[@grmalj99]

I LOVE HIS YUGO SHIRT LOL!!! SERBIA !!!

[@TheIceychill2]

Diesel in Maryland is 3.90 a gallon plus!!

[@kaimelis]

how can a diesel passat vagon can be fast???????

[@TheMrcnut]

Uh, if it is 80 cents a gallon more than regular doesn't that pretty much wipe out the stellar mileage advantage that a diesel gets?

[@eskieman3948]

Well, if the urea system on this VW is basically using the same stuff that is in a urinal (3:10), then, why didn't VW build a urinal in the right rear fender for passer bys to use? I mean, I'd be happy to help out a VW owner so he didn't need to buy the expensive urea (DEF) fluid every 10k miles from a parts store!

[@sg1969camaro]

lets find out, lets find out

[@TCB1468]

TDI stands for turbo direct injection.

[@brihamlin1]

Your gas is really cheap in Colorado...it's about $3.39 for regular unleaded here in the Detroit area.

[@WillBegoable]

Roman's "real world" 0-60 for almost any other car he tested is almost always slower (usually much slower) than what the car get at the track. The Passat TDI is actually right around where it should be, thats impressive :P And while 0-60 in 9 seconds might not very quick, the car does 0-40 much faster than a 9 second 0-60 car has the right to, so it feels quick in normal city driving :)

[@redreyessettd9437]

Yeah I find the Passat 0-40 is deadass like 4 seconds and then that left over 20 is where I am feeling the torque fall off

[@derbigpr500]

Umm...how can they put TDI on their gasoline engine? Do you even know what TDI is? Its a diesel engine. ANY diesel engine you find in any VW or Audi is a TDI engine. They have TSI and TFSI turbocharged petrol engines with direct injection. You cant even buy a new VW or Audi that doesn't have a turbocharged direct injection engine, unless you live in america and you still get those prehistoric engines than VW ditched in europe like 10 years ago.

[@hispeed8500]

TDI stands for "Turbo Direct Inject" not "Turbo Diesel." Don't know why they decided on that nomenclature, but it is what it is...

[@onoff314]

@theGbak47 The S class and the IF are not even in the same league of cars. the IF competes with a C class.

[@juukame]

wow, i haven't seen gas that cheap in years up where i live, :)