What’s Good, Bad and Weird About the 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line? [Video]

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line adds some sporty flavor to an everyday family sedan.

Despite what it’s name may suggest, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line doesn’t add some awe-inspiring performance. For that, you’d like to get a full-in “R” model, like the Golf R. Instead, what the R-Line package offers is some sporty elements to an otherwise run-of-the-mill Passat model. For $24,995 and up, the R-Line trim includes special front and rear bumpers as well as 19-inch “Salvador” alloy wheels.

Under the hood, you still get the same 2.0-liter turbo engine found in the S, SE and SEL models. It comes with Volkswagen’s EA888 powerplant, making 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. That comes mated to a six-speed automatic, rather than the eight-speed found in more recent models like the 2019 Jetta. While it’s not the most powerful 2.0-liter turbo in its field, it does return 25 mpg in the city and up to 36 mpg on the highway.

The Passat is also one of the few remaining sedans in its class with a more powerful V6 option. That 3.6-liter unit puts out 280 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. However, it’s not available on the Passat R-Line and you’d have to upgrade to at least the $29,145 V6 GT model to get it.

That said, inside the car is fairly standard Volkswagen. Although, what are some weird bits? What is good or bad about the 2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line? In this video, Sarah reviews Volkswagen’s latest mid-size offering. Check out TFLcar.com for more! Subscribe to The Fast Lane Car and TFLnow for more news, views and real-world reviews.