By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

If the 2018 Volkswagen Passat looks totally familiar, that's because it has been around since 2012 with basically the same look, only refreshed in 2015. Most rival mid-sized sedans have been redesigned at least once since that time.

If you can get past the dated styling, which is conservatively handsome, than you will be rewarded with a family four-door that has a lot going for it including the most spacious rear-seat accommodations this side of a limo. The problem for Volkswagen is that people buying an-all new vehicle want something modern-looking and stylish in their driveway.

For that reason, Volkswagen has come out with a couple attractive "special editions" for 2018 and we think the most compelling new trim is the Passat GT. It affords a host of amenities including VW's narrow angle V-6 engine making 280 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, hot-looking 19-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, sport front seats, and two-tone simulated leather upholstery for under 30 grand —$29,995 to be exact including destination charge. In fact it might be the only mid-sized sedan left in America with a price tag under $30,000 — especially when you consider all the standard equipment that comes with that cash outlay.

The GT trim was conceived and developed at Volkswagen's Passat manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. The development included the new sport suspension with retuned dampers and springs for more roll stiffness, and a sportier exhaust note to let people know there is a V-6 under the hood, not the standard turbocharged 4-cylinder.

Starting at the front, the Passat GT differentiates itself from standard Passat models with standard LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), a honeycomb grille, GT badge, and a red accent line around the grille, reminiscent of the high-performance Golf GTI.

Moving around to the side of the vehicle, the GT receives sporty touches from top to bottom. A black roof is complimented by black mirror caps and black window and door trim. Nineteen-inch “Tornado” wheels are accentuated with red-painted brake calipers, another nod to Volkswagen’s performance heritage.

At the back, the Passat GT’s accents continue with a black spoiler and blackened LED taillights. The rear fascia also includes black bumper trim and a double exhaust with the aforementioned acoustic package.

We found the V-6 engine, routed through a six-speed automatic, to have superior performance to the raft of 4-cylinder engines on the market today. The GT jumps off the line with a published 0-to-60 number of 5.9 seconds. It can finish off a quarter mile in 14.3 seconds at 101 mph. We discovered that the suspension tuning has its rewards in confident handling on winding rural blacktops. Although we wouldn't quite put it in true sports sedan territory it is spirited.

Inside, the GT features a piano black center console and vent trim, carbon fiber optic décor, black headliner, and aluminum GT-badged sills. Seating surfaces are black leatherette with Moonrock Gray inserts and contrast stitching. Standard interior comfort features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated side mirrors.

Other nice and perhaps unexpected standard features include one-touch power up and down on all four windows, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, and blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert. Standard technology on the GT also includes adaptive cruise control, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth connectivity, rearview camera system and VW CAR-NET equipped features for Smartphone integration and interface for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. The Passat is dated, however, by its smallish navigation and infotainment screen. It’s not a bad system, but with technology moving so quickly, the small and outdated screen seems almost from another era.

The Passat’s rear seat spaciousness has always been one of its biggest advantages with big leg and headroom. The trunk is also large with 15.5 cubic-feet of very useable space because of its deep and wide shape.

New to all Passat models this year is what Volkswagen calls a People First Warranty that includes bumper-to-bumper coverage for six years or 72,000 miles. And the warranty can be transferred to subsequent owners throughout its duration.

For those who want a spacious mid-sizer, but want to forgo a V-6, the Passat comes in six trim levels —S, R-Line, SE, SE with Technology, GT and SEL Premium — starting at $23,890 including destination charge. The base engine is an upgraded 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder making 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with a 0-to-60 time of 7.7 seconds — no slouch when compared to competitive four-bangers.

Essentials
Base price: $29,995; as driven, $29,995
Engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 280 @ 6,200 rpm
Torque: 258 foot-pounds @ 2,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: front wheel
Seating: 2/3
Wheelbase: 110.4 inches
Length: 191.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,571 pounds
Turning circle: 36.4 feet
Luggage capacity: 15.9 cubic feet
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gallons (regular)
EPA rating: 19 city, 28 highway, 22 combined
0-60: 5.9 seconds (Car and Driver)
Also consider: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevrolet Malibu

The Good
• Best-in-class rear-seat space
• Energetic V-6 engine
• Quiet, comfortable ride
• Considerable value for under $30,000

The Bad
• Outdate infotainment screen

The Ugly
• Soldiers on with 6-speed transmission