2020 Volkswagen Passat priced from $46K

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed pricing and specification details for the facelifted  2020 Volkswagen Passat mid-size car range, which is due in showrooms from January.

Available initially as sedan or wagon in a solitary 140TSI Business grade, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat sports a new engine and added technology – and a starting price of $45,990 plus on-road costs as a sedan or $47,990 plus on-road costs as a wagon.

The new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powertrain replaces the outgoing 1.8-litre petrol engine featured in the 132TSI. Outputs have been bumped to 140kW (up 8kW) and 320Nm (up 70Nm), driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The new petrol engine’s inclusion comes as Volkswagen gets set to phase out diesel powertrains in its regular Passat line-up.

The 140TSI Business receives standard features including: 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, Vienna leather seats, power front seat with memory function and three-zone climate control.

Furthermore, the mid-size duo will be the first recipient of wireless Apple CarPlay, which Volkswagen has confirmed will grace the rest of its model range in the “next 12 to 18 months”, along with USB C ports, for higher charging speeds.

On the safety front there’s lane assist, emergency assist, adaptive cruise control, side assist and rear cross traffic assist, park assist, driver fatigue detection, reversing camera and 360-degree proactive occupant protection.

The 140TSI Business is set to be joined in due course by a replacement for the flagship Passat 206TSI wagon, and a new Passat Alltrack with a petrol engine.

How much does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat cost?
140TSI Business sedan -- $45,990
140TSI Business wagon -- $47,990
* Prices exclude on-road costs