July's Fastest and Slowest Selling Cars

Who says old cars won’t sell? July's fastest sellers include newbies like the redesigned Nissan Altima and two Hyundai Elantra additions — the coupe and GT hatchback — but a number of cars that have been on the market a year or more are flying off lots. The year-old Volkswagen Passat, our Best of 2012 car, averages just five days to sell. The Kia Soul, which went on sale way back in spring 2009, takes just a week to sell. The Hyundai Tucson, Kia Optima and Subaru Outback are also among July's fastest sellers, and all of them are at least 2 years old.

On the newer side, the Dodge Dart and Scion FR-S are off to a fast start. The Scion marks its second month in a row among the fastest sellers. Other repeat performers include the Cadillac XTS and Ford Escape (second month each), Hyundai's Veloster and Accent hatchbacks (third month), Soul (fourth month) and Toyota Prius c (fifth month). The Subaru Impreza has the longest tenure here, having been among the fastest monthly sellers since just after it hit dealerships in November 2011. July marks the Impreza's eighth consecutive month.

Sales of Diesels Continue to Rise

Cheap gas prices aren't the only thing on drivers' minds this year. U.S. sales of diesel-powered vehicles are on a roll. According to research firm Baum and Associates, sales of diesel vehicles during the first six months of 2012 are up 27.5%. 

Through June of this year, 61,214 diesel-powered vehicles have been sold in the U.S., which doesn't look like much, but sales are on a steady climb. U.S. sales of clean-diesel vehicles increased 22.3% in June, compared with last June. Similarly, they increased 14.4% in May and 28.2% in April compared with those months in 2011.

2013 Volkswagen Passat: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: A backup camera is now available  
• Price change: TBA 
• On sale: TBA 
• Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? 2012; the changes are too minor to warrant waiting for the 2013.

The Americanized Volkswagen Passat enters into its second model year as a carryover; the biggest change is the addition of a backup camera on some trims.

As strange as this omission sounds, the 2012 Passat wasn't available with a rearview camera no matter how high you climbed up the model's trim levels. For 2013, the hole has been plugged; a backup camera is standard on all SEL-trimmed models. The 2013 Passat is available in S, SE, SEL and SEL Premium trims with either a five-cylinder, inline-four-cylinder diesel or V-6 powertrains.

All SE and higher trimmed models also get a new center console design that now sports a pair of rear-passenger air vents, new cupholder designs and a new cover for the front storage area, according to the automaker.

A release date, pricing or additional trim updates weren't made available as of this posting. With only those pair of changes mentioned, there's really no reason to wait for a 2013 Passat unless you're dead set on having the backup camera.

Related
More Volkswagen Passat News 
2012 VW Passat Fender Stereo a Welcome Surprise 
Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Volkswagen Passat

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Gets the Fender Treatment

While variants of the new 2012 Volkswagen Beetle are still getting prepped for retail sale — the fuel-efficient Beetle TDI goes on sale later this summer, for instance — that isn't stopping VW from adding even more to the mix. The latest addition, the Beetle Fender Edition, is meant to placate audiophiles.

The model features a premium audio system, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and a wood trim that's meant to resemble the wood that adorns a fine acoustic guitar.

84 mpg?! Couple Break Mileage Record With Passat TDI

John and Helen Taylor really know how to stretch a tank of gas. The couple squeezed 1,626 miles out of one tank of diesel fuel in a Volkswagen Passat TDI, breaking previous records.

During a three-day trip, the couple set out to beat the previous record for the most miles covered on a single tank of diesel: 1,526.6 by a VW Passat diesel in Europe.

The Taylors left Houston on May 3 in a 2012 Passat TDI with a manual transmission and ran out of fuel three days and nine states later in Sterling, Va.

Recall Alert: 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen is recalling a small number of model-year 2012 versions of the Passat sedan due to problems with the diesel fuel filter, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Only 153 vehicles are affected by the recall; they were manufactured from Jan. 18 through June 1, 2011, and use a diesel filter that may not seal properly. This could lead to possible fuel leakage over time and an increased risk of fire. You can check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb.

Volkswagen will notify owners in May, and dealers will replace the diesel fuel filter free of charge. Owners can call VW at 800-822-8987 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI

With its roomy interior and trunk and lower starting price, there’s a lot to like about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat. Get the TDI trim with its turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, and you’ll love its EPA-estimated 30/40 mpg city/highway, says Cars.com Family contributor Sara Lacey. She was impressed by nearly everything about the Passat TDI except its bland front end.

2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI Review

2012 Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Passat Earn Five-Star NHTSA Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released another batch of 2012 model-year crash-test ratings today. Under the stricter guidelines, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic compact and the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan earned five-star composite scores.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

Most Popular Car Seat Checks

Parents, grandparents and caretakers know what a pain it can be to install child-safety seats into a car. Imagine doing it over and over and over again. That's what our Car Seat Check team does nearly every week as it tests new cars to find out how easy it is to use the Latch system.

Car Seat Checks are performed by Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays, Cars.com photographer Ian Merritt and Cars.com editor and certified car-seat technician Jennifer Newman.

Year-End Deal Reality Check: Volkswagen

So, Santa isn't bringing you a new car for the holidays, and the wife's Christmas present probably has nothing to do with a giant bow in your garage. Maybe it's time to be your own Santa. The end of the year really is one of the best times to buy or lease a new car. We'll be highlighting some of the best deals before the clock hits midnight Dec. 31.

Volkswagen's incentives program revolves around the number zero.

Its 0/0/0/0 deal means qualified lessees can drive home select 2012 Volkswagens for no money down, no money due at signing, no security deposit and the first month's payment is also waived. The deal excludes applicable title, tax, options and dealer fees, however.

All gas-powered 2012 models qualify including the new Passat and Beetle; TDI clean-diesel vehicles are excluded from the offer. One lease example is a 2012 Jetta S with a manual transmission for $219 a month for 36 months.

While the nationwide offer ends Jan. 3, expect dealers to make their best deals before the new year.