Volkswagen refreshed the Passat’s sixth generation and claimed that it was the seventh generation even though it was the same old car underneath the new look.
When Ford facelifted the first Mondeo generation in Europe, it changed more than 1,400 parts on it, and the car looked completely different. Yet, it didn’t call it a new generation. A new model, perhaps, was the correct name. But not a new generation, such as the German carmaker did with the Passat, in its both shapes, the sedan and the station wagon, called Variant.

Parked next to its 2005 sibling, the 2010 Passat Variant looked different but sported almost the same wheelbase, and it was based on the same MQB platform used by Volkswagen from the Polo to the Tiguan. The car’s front featured new headlights, with a rectangular shape instead of the 2005 model. Also, the design team installed a new grille with three slim slats spread between the headlights. Its bumper sported a new apron with angular-shaped fog lights.

The interior was reworked, and the German form-follow-function concept worked better this time. Finally, Volkswagen understood that the parking button must stay on the center console, not next to the lights knob on the dashboard. There was a new infotainment unit and climate controls. To make the car looks more upmarket, the Passat sported a round analog clock above the center stack. Its trunk was the same, offering 513 liters (18.1 cu-ft) with the rear seats up and up to 1641 liters (58 cu-ft) with the entire bench folded.

Under the hood, Volkswagen worked on its engine lineup to make them pass the European and the U.S. standards. The gasoline versions went well, but the diesel ones started the fire called Dieselgate.