NAIAS: 2012 Volkswagen Passat

The best-selling car in the United States is currently Toyota's Camry, a mid-size sedan. Obviously, this segment ranks as a highly-important one for any manufacturer with aspirations of high volume. Volkswagen is keenly aware of this, expecting the new Jetta and Passat to be the volume sellers of its lineup.

The Camry has has a target on its back for a long time, after being the best-selling car in America for many years running.

Sales have been down though plagued by Toyota's recall woes, the unintended acceleration controversy and a model at the end of its cycle. Now is the time to pound.

With the title of world's largest manufacturer in its sights, Volkswagen is gunning to a capture a larger piece of the market with the next-generation Passat. It is the car everyone has been referring up to now as the "New Midsize Sedan." Let's take a look at what it has to offer.

Wait, we've seen this somewhere before. Look familiar? That's because looks nearly exactly like its smaller sibling Jetta. We've rarely seen this level of exact design features between models.

The 2011 Jetta was the first to debut VW's new mass-market Americanized philosophy. VW's in recent past have been positioned as a cut above the market, commanding price premiums. Instead, the new cars aim to be placed right in each market's sweet spot, with styling that doesn't offend anyone.

The look isn't bad, however, we would have liked to see some more originality rather than the cookie cutter approach VW is following.

We aren't sure how this is going to work out in the long run. On the other hand, boring seems to be what sells in this segment (save for Hyundai's Sonata).

Inside, the same story continues. The new Passat isn't about raising the bar over its predecessor the market.

The good news is that it does its best to resemble the interior of the outgoing Passat, which was very good. There is a new set of switchgear and the addition of an analog clock. Interior materials will likely be downgraded in a similar fashion as the jetta. likely downgraded materials. However, it still looks good. This is an area where the Passat bests competitors like the Camry (which is soon to be replaced though) and Fusion.

One thing thats immediately clear is the increased interior room, for driver and front passenger as well as the rear seat. It has been increased so much so that rear legroom is now best-in-class. The Passat now stands at 191.7 inches long , with a 110.4 inch wheelbase.

There are three engine options: VW's 2.5L five-cylinder, a 2.0L TDI Clean Diesel and its 3.6L VR6, which remains unchanged from the previous car. The five-cylinder, which makes 170 horsepower, comes standard 5 speed manual transmission and offers a 6-speed automatic.

The four-cylinder TDI model delivers 140 horsepower and 236 pound feet of torque. has the power of a six cylinder gasoline engine and the fuel economy of a hybrid. VW expects the Passat TDI to achieve 43 (!) miles per gallon on the highway. It is mated to a five-speed manual a 6-speed DSG transmission optional.

The 3.6 liter VR6 makes 280 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. and gets about 28 mpg on the highway. Standard is a6-speed DSG; which VW says is the "most efficient automatic in the world."

Everything about the Passat is mass-market, and VW makes no secret of that fact. It is aimed at being "accessible to the majority" as well as offering "premium features and handling characteristics that will perfectly match it with the tastes and lifestyles of Americans."

The sedan will be built at VW's new factory in Chattanooga, Tennnesee. Like the redesigned Jetta that preceded it, we think the change in direction will likely pay off in the sales figures - boring sells.

Most people aren't enthusiasts like us. A lower price tag will help too - for 2012 the Passat is expected to come in at around $20,000, around $8,000 less than the the previous Passat.