2016 Volkswagen Passat: First Look

Competes with: Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry

Looks like: A face-lifted Passat with a longer grille and sculpted hood

Drivetrain: 170-horsepower, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder; 150-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI diesel; 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6; manual, automatic and dual-clutch automatic transmissions

Hits dealerships: Late 2015

Related: Volkswagen Adds Tech, Connectivity Features to 2016 Lineup

On the heels of Volkswagen's EPA scandal, the automaker announced a revised version of its midsize sedan. Outside, the 2016 Passat gets new front and rear styling; inside, there's an updated version of Volkswagen's multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. A sporty R-Line trim also joins the lineup this year.

Exterior

Volkswagen says much of the Passat's body is new, and only the roof, doors and bodyside stamping carryover. The exterior styling changes, however, look minor. They include narrower headlights, a longer, more streamlined grille and a muscular-looking hood; LED headlights and taillights are newly available.

Joining the Passat lineup for the first time is the sporty R-Line model. Additional exterior features include unique rocker panels, color-contrasted front bumper, modified rear diffuser and 19-inch anthracite Salvador aluminum-alloy wheels.

Interior

Inside, the instrument panel has been redesigned with the prominent placement of two large gauges. VW also says it's upgraded the cabin materials with new piano-black and chrome trims. Other interior changes include newly available heated rear seats and a foot-swipe-activated trunk.

Model-year 2016 finally brings a host of new connectivity features to the Passat, and the highlight is the most recent version of VW's multimedia system, MIB II. With a standard touch-screen on all models, the system functions like a smartphone with swipe and zoom motions.

MIB II supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems as well as VW's subscription-based Car-Net services, which include staples such as navigation, roadside assistance and emergency services. USB and Bluetooth connectivity are newly standard this year as well.

Under the Hood

The powertrain lineup is unchanged for 2016 and again includes a choice of three engines: a 170-horsepower, turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder; a 150-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI diesel; and a 280-hp, 3.6-liter V-6. Volkswagen spokesman Mark Gilles told us that specific trim details will be announced at a later date, but the transmission lineup will also "essentially" carryover. Transmission offerings are a five-speed manual, a six-speed manual or automatic, and a dual-clutch automatic.

Safety

A backup camera is standard this year, and many new safety features are available on the 2016 Passat. Standard is the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which applies the brakes after a collision to help reduce the damage from an additional collision. Other available systems are adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and Parking Steering Assistant.

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat will go on sale at year's end. The automaker has not yet announced full pricing, but said the base 1.8T S will start at $22,440 (excluding a destination fee). That's the same price as the model-year 2015 Passat 1.8T S when equipped with the optional six-speed automatic (excluding its $820 destination fee).