back, a trip of 480 miles. And I did this on less than 10 gallons of fuel (9.15, to be precise).

The m.p.g.? An incredible 52.5 miles per gallon, or about 96 recent of the 2025 standard. So much for the argument that the standard is unattainable or that we'll all be driving smart cars (which, by the way, don't come close to matching the Passat TDI's efficiency).

Of course, high mileage is meaningless if the car delivering it is horrible to drive, or so cramped it's impossible to get comfortable for a drive longer than to the local supermarket. And this is where the Passat delivers, in spades.

Built in an all-new plant in Tennessee, the 2013 Passat represents Volkswagen's best effort to appeal to mainstream American sedan buyers in the all-important mid-sized sedan category. This segment is populated by the likes of the dominant Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, along with such challengers as the Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, and Chevy Malibu. What's even more significant is that the Passat attains unbeatable mileage numbers without a complex and costly hybrid drivetrain.

Sitting behind the wheel of my 2013 Passat SE TDI offered surprises on so many levels. It's a vehicle that looks much better in the flesh than in photos. Despite styling that was initially criticized as "bland as white bread" when the first pictures were released, the 2013 Passat is actually a handsome car, at least as much as its most direct competitors, the Camry and Accord. And do sedan buyers care as much about sheet metal as they do about mileage and a roomy interior? I don't think so.

Speaking of the interior, it's huge, especially in the rear where some mid-sized cars (especially the Malibu) seem decidedly cramped. In almost every interior measurement, the Passat is near or at the top of the class for head, shoulder, and leg room. The Passat feels full-sized, not mid-sized.

For the most part, the interior is quite a nice place to spend time. The fit and finish is good, well above the class standards, and, again, stands up well to the class sales leader, Toyota's Camry. I noticed just one glaring element: some hard, shiny plastic running across the dash below the brushed aluminum trim. It looks and feels cheap, totally out of place in an interior that looks high quality in almost every other regard.