A new Volkswagen Passat sits on display on the deck of the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga during a Volkswagen dinner and reception for international media in this file photo.

Volkswagen's Chattanooga-made Passat is expected today to be a top contender for Motor Trend's Car of the Year Award.

The Passat and 34 other vehicles were among the vehicles identified by the magazine Tuesday.

Motor Trend calls the Passat "Volkswagen's strongest entry to date in the midsize sedan segment" and cites the car's design specifically aimed at the American market.

Earlier, a Motor Trend car comparison put the Passat ahead of the new Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata.