Volkswagen Passat Tops 10 Best Family Cars List

BEDFORD, MASS. (03/13/2012)(readMedia)-- It takes more than just available space to make a vehicle family friendly, and according to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, the Volkswagen Passat delivers in a variety of areas that make it a perfect fit for domestic-duties. The automotive-research website recently named the 2012 Passat to the top of its 10 Best Family Cars of 2012 list, dubbing VW's redesigned sedan the heavyweight champion in a sea of contenders.

Qualities considered by kbb.com for its annual 10 Best Family Cars list included comfort, safety, child-friendliness, strong consumer ratings and low cost of ownership. The 2012 Passat found at VW dealerships nabbed its top spot because of its standout European driving dynamics and now-roomier interior. Together, those features make the Passat well suited for many average-size American families that put a premium on performance.

"It's one thing to be one of the 10 Best Family Cars, and another to top that list like the Passat did," said Ray Hovsepian, general manager of Bedford, Massachusetts VW dealer Minuteman VW. "A lot of family sedans focus squarely on delivering cargo and passenger space, but most parents don't just want something utilitarian; they want something that is fun to drive as well."

Helping busy families easily transport all members and their belongings, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat offers seating for five and 15.9 cubic-feet of trunk space. Designed specifically with the American market in mind, the Chattanooga, Tenn.-built Passat also offers more interior space than its predecessor, featuring best-in-class rear legroom. The family sedan's standard 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine makes Greater Boston parents' rides to soccer practice a little more exciting by outputting 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, all while returning 32 mpg on the highway.

In addition to its space and power, the Passat also offers convenient features that help widen its base of fans. Standard Bluetooth compatibility and MP3-player connectivity will appeal to Massachusetts tech-lovers and audiophiles that want to stay connected on the go. Meanwhile, standard chrome and metallic-look interior trim, one-touch power windows and three 12-volt power outlets will appeal to luxury-minded Volkswagen fans.

U.S. sales of the Volkswagen Passat were up big in February, with the midsize sedan moving 8,189 units for its best sales month since August 2001. Overall, Volkswagen sold a total of 30,577 units in the United States last month, a 42.5-percent increase compared to the same month last year and its best February sales since 1973.

"Ultimately, what families need is a vehicle that can conform to their needs; that's what the Passat does and that's why it's so popular," added Hovsepian. "Whether you need to haul sports gear for your kids' practice or a comfortable ride for those long road trips, the Passat gets it done. It's as flexible as parents need it to be."

About Minuteman Volkswagen:

Minuteman Volkswagen, located in Bedford, Massachusetts, is renowned throughout the region for its friendly and knowledgeable sales staff, skilled VW service department and impressive selection of new and used Volkswagens. If you're in the market for a quality new or pre-owned Volkswagen at the right price, Minuteman is where you want to be. For more information, you can visit their Greater Boston Volkswagen dealership on the web at www.minutemanvw.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MinutemanVW, call them at 781.275.8000 or stop by their showroom at 39 North Rd. in Bedford, Massachusetts.