The refreshed Chattanooga-made 2016 Volkswagen Passat has taken top honors in Cars.com's midsize sedan challenge.
Put to the test against eight of the most popular 2016 models, the Passat won with its spaciousness, safety, available VW Car-Net App-Connect technology, and its "fun-to-drive nature," according to the automaker.
Patrick Olsen, Cars.com's editor in chief, said the Passat came in first place with both the expert judges and in-market shoppers.
"This midsize sedan is a refreshed version of the Passat that won Cars.com's Best of 2012 Award. It's still tremendously roomy and for 2016 got a ton of tech upgrades like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration," he said.
The top five vehicles were, in order, the Passat, Kia Optima, Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata and Honda Accord.
To make it into the challenge, each vehicle had to have an automatic transmission, have an EPA estimate of at least 28 mpg combined and have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of less than $28,000.
Vehicles were evaluated by a panel of expert judges and an Atlanta couple in the market for a new sedan on a 220-mile road course looking at overall ride, acceleration, handling, braking, features, cargo space, technology and more, according to VW.
Cars.com evaluated the gas-version of the 2016 Passat. Volkwagen has not been able to sell its 2016 diesel-engine Passat since the company admitted last fall that it had cheated in emissions tests for some diesel products. VW is still negotiating with environmental regulators over a fix for the diesel Passat and other diesel models that regulators say do not meet U.S. air standards.
Despite the controversy over its diesel engine emissions, Hinrich J. Woebcken, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, said the Passat offers "the perfect combination of sophisticated styling, outstanding app-connect technology, and the great driving dynamics that Volkswagen is known for, making it an outstanding consumer value."