Here's a list of differences and revisions on the North American and US specification 2012 VW Passat vs. the European trim Passat. The euro Passat came out during 2011 while the North American passat is actually a similar looking car that is built in Teneessee to be close to the market. The NA Passat will actually be decontented to reduce the price by several thousand dollars. Here's a list of what's missing or changed that I'm aware of. For early specs on the US and Canada spec Passat TDI (diesel engine), see this thread:
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/forum/f...di-specs-5138/
EDIT: here is a direct link to the buying guide summary:
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/b...ying-guide.htm
Size: although it looks similar, the cars are actually different sizes and shapes. Right off the bat, that should tell you that they are different cars. The North American car is 10 cm longer with a 9 cm longer wheelbase than the Euro Passat.
NA specs:
length:4,868 mm (191.7 in)
wheelbase : 2,803mm (110.4 in)
width: 1,835 mm (72.2 inches)
Euro specs:
length: 4,769 mm
wheelbase : 2,712 mm
width: 1,820 mm
height: 1,470 mm
luggage volume: 565 liters
The rear C pillar, the area behind the rear door, is a completely different shape. In the 3rd post I made a comparison picture with more differences. Most if not all of the exterior panels are different.
Engine choice: 2.0L 138hp TDI engine is the only TDI engine choice.
Euro gets a 1.6 w/122PS, 2.0 w/140PS, and 2.0 with 170PS in TDI.
Interior: standard automatic climate control.
Euro has standard Climatic "semi-manual" with optional auto climate control
US trim you have to press the fuel door *with doors unlocked to open it.
Euro has an interior button for solenoid release.
Premium stereo system in NA is by Fender. Didn't know they made car audio systems - not a knock but I've just never heard of them doing it.
Euro stereo system, like Golf, is by Dynaudio. Good reviews.
Lighting: halogen, maybe an xenon option later
Euro has headlight range control, halogen, optional xenon, optional xenon foglights. Rear foglights are standard in Europe, will most likely not be on American Passat. The rear taillights are LED. The taillights are also a completely different shape. The NA car has more arched taillights. The Euro car has more square taillights.
Other misc things on European VW Passat that aren't or most likely will not be on North American Passat: heated windshield, color multifunction display, automatic boot opening (boot=trunk, I think this feature opens the trunk if you put your foot under the trunk area - there's a sensor which then pops the trunk so you don't have to press any buttons), adaptive chassis control, start-stop, sport suspension (maybe), electric side and rear sunshades, rear view parking camera, lane assist, fatigue detection system, park assist (automatically parks the car), front-rear parking sensors,