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The Volkswagen Passat, one of Volkswagen's beloved brands, is expected to be phased out in 2022.

Since 1989, the Volkswagen Passat has been the German automaker's midsize sedan offering in the United States. However, Volkswagen will retire the Passat after the 2022 model year, but the company is bidding farewell to the brand with a special Limited Edition model. The midsize's demise is due in part to a shift in consumer preferences toward SUVs, and the Passat's decade-old platform isn't helping.

In 2020, the Passat received mostly cosmetic update, but it also received some useful infotainment features, such as standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite this, the aging Passat struggled to compete with newer sedans such as the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia K5, all of which have newer in-car technology, a wider range of drivetrain options, and a more exciting driving experience. If a smooth ride and a large back seat are important to you, the Passat is a viable option.

For the 2022 model, 423 of the 1,973 units produced by VW will be finished in an exclusive Racing Green metallic paint, similar to that seen on the VW Atlas SUV. The exterior of the Passat Limited Edition is also distinctive, with 15-spoke, 18-inch wheels. There are nods to the Chattanooga assembly plant in Tennessee, where the Passat has been built for the past decade, as well as leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, built-in navigation, and a Fender audio system.

Related: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition

The 2022 VW Passat SE will start around $28,000, while the Limited Edition will cost $31,290. The 2.0T Limited Edition costs a little more, up to $31,570, for more special features. However, we recommend the Passat SE, which includes plenty of features that family-sedan buyers will appreciate, such as a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, 17-inch wheels, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, automatic climate control, lane-keeping assist, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

Clean, straight lines follow Volkswagen's unassuming design language inside the Passat. The interior of the Passat is attractive in a German, utilitarian way, but it lacks true inspiration to earn our full praise. The Volkswagen's cabin, on the other hand, is among the most spacious and comfortable in its class. The Passat outperforms in terms of interior space, with plenty of room for both front and rear passengers. Legroom is especially spacious, though the center console can rub on the driver's knee.

Outward visibility in the Passat is excellent thanks to an open cabin and thin door pillars. The long doors make getting in and out easy, though it may be a squeeze in tight parking spots. The seat and steering wheel are both adjustable, which is great for both short and tall drivers. It's easy to see out of because of the large windows and narrow roof pillars. Cargo capacity differs little between family sedans. We were able to fit 16 carry-on-sized boxes behind the front seats after folding the seats to a semi-flat resting position. For real-world carrying capacity, the Passat fell to the bottom of the family-sedan pack, possibly because Volkswagen sacrificed some trunk space for the Passat's massive back seat.

The standard infotainment system includes a 6.3-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and several USB ports. The top-tier model includes navigation, a larger 8.0-inch display, a premium sound system, and a six-month subscription to Volkswagen's Car-Net services. Users can use their smartphones to locate the vehicle, request roadside assistance, and even lock and unlock the doors.

The controls are not as well organized. While the climate system has dedicated physical buttons and shortcuts to the major menus on the touchscreen, the display itself is low and partially obscured by your hand when driving. It also forces you to take your eyes off the road for a longer period of time than we would prefer. Having said that, the system infotainment system is simple to use. The menu structure is simple and easy to understand without consulting the manual.

Related: Here's Why Volkswagen Is Discontinuing The Passat

The Passat has only one engine option: a 174-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission. During our testing, the engine was smooth and refined throughout its rev range, allowing the sedan to move with ease. The automatic transmission is mostly smooth, but it occasionally stumbled during our testing when crawling along at low speeds in heavy traffic. The Passat is up to the task of logging highway miles or cruising back roads. It provides a vehicle that is as comfortable as it is capable by combining a soft, almost luxurious ride with predictable handling. The steering is accurate and well-weighted, but it, like many others in the class, does not provide as much feedback as we would like.

The EPA fuel economy of the Passat's turbocharged four-cylinder engine is average among family sedans, and many competitors offer more efficient models and hybrid options. The VW's estimates of 24-mpg city and 36-mpg highway trail those of the four-cylinder Toyota Camry. We tested both on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen; the Passat got 36-mpg, while the Camry got 42-mpg. Visit the EPA's website for more information on the Passat's fuel economy.

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