With a cruising range of around 600 miles, the VW Passat 1.8T is a logical replacement for all who once loved their diesel-powered Passat.

I just finished a week in a Passat 1.8T R-Line, which is one step up from the base model. The tester's $24,795 starting price is a good value for a midsize sedan that is actually on the larger size. Back-seat legroom is very long at 39.1 inches, and there is nearly 16 cubic feet of trunk space that is annexed by a split-folding back seat.

The Passat, Volkswagen's biggest sedan, was re-engineered and redesigned for 2016, so the 2017 is mostly carry-over. New to this model are value-added features including Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (front assist). The R-Line and SE models get a standard blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

The Passat is sold in four-cylinder and V-6 front-wheel drive models with starting prices ranging from $23,260 to about $35,000, including the $820 freight charge from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Its competitors include the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, none of which have a gas tank quite as large.

Today's tester, a modestly equipped Passat 1.8T R-Line, has a starting price of $24,795 with no options. Standard equipment includes fabric upholstery, height-adjustable front seats (with driver's lumbar), 5-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera, six-speaker audio system, power windows and heated mirrors.

The R-Line kit is a style treatment of unique rocker panels, a front bumper with black accents, a modified rear diffuser and anthracite-color 19-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. The R-Line Comfort Package, which costs $775, adds V-Tex leatherette upholstery, a power driver seat, heated front seats with seatback map pockets, heated side mirrors and heated washer nozzles. The R-Line Lighting Package for $1,095 includes LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED taillights.

The car's 170-horsepower, 1.8-liter turbocharged and direct-injection four-cylinder is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and has EPA mileage ratings of 23 mpg city, 34 highway and 27 mpg combined on 87 octane. I averaged 32.4 to 33 mpg. The 18.5-gallon tank means the long-distance commuter gets an extra day or two between fill-ups.

The four-cylinder Passat weighs a lean 3,263 pounds, and the smallish engine easily handles the power demands. The engine's 184 foot-pounds of torque peak at a low 1,500 rpm, which provides great acceleration off the line. The transmission kept pace with the power demands. There are trendier automatic transmissions (dual-clutch and continuously variable) that can boast of 1 or 2 more mpg, but the performance suffers. If an owner really needs more mileage, then try driving the speed limit. I did not, cruising at 75 to 80 mph with the rest of the commuters, and still averaged 33 mpg.

The 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter VR6 engine is paired with a six-speed dual clutch transmission and has fuel economy estimates of 20/28/23 mpg on 87 octane, though premium is preferred for peak power and mileage.

The Passat's lean exterior styling is a form-follows-function design exercise that will not be outdated by swoopy gimmicks. The driver's sightlines are open over the fenders and over the shoulder. The turning circle is small-car tight at 36.4 feet.

There is engaging design character in this European sedan, yet the Passat is well-Americanized with full-bodied seats, a charging bin with USB and 12-volt plugs. The cup holders are large enough for grande-size coffees, and there are bottle holders and more storage in the door panels.

The tester's basic black interior has a modern appeal with attractive plastics, and textures with brushed and satin metallic trim. All of the driver controls are orderly and conveniently placed. The three-spoke steering wheel is almost an artistic element with its discrete piano-black accents and smooth, neatly stitched black leather. It has redundant controls, including for the trip meter to monitor average fuel economy. Metal-trimmed pedals and a hefty driver footrest are appreciated.

I liked the handiness of the manual parking brake lever at the shift console. But the visors, with covered but nonlighted mirrors, do not have extenders and leave a large gap at the driver's left for sunlight to slip through.

The back-seat legroom is ridiculously roomy (for a midsize car), and there is adult-class leg and footroom, even with a tall driver. The seat bottom might be the longest I've tested in a midsize sedan. Extras include coat hooks, grab handles, a pull-down armrest with cup holders and reading lights.

The Passat R-Line is a hardworking sedan with just enough technologies and features to be rewarding for the contemporary commuter.

2017 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T R-Line

—Body style: midsize, five-seat, front-wheel drive sedan

—Engine: 170-horsepower, turbocharged and direct-injection 1.8-liter four-cylinder; 184 foot-pounds torque at 1,500 rpm

—Transmission: six-speed automatic

—Fuel economy: 23/34 mpg city/hwy; 87 octane

SPECIFICATIONS

—Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons

—Trunk space: 15.9 cubic feet

—Front head/leg/shoulder room: 38.3/42.4/56.9 inches

—Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 37.8/39.1/57 inches

—Length/wheelbase: 191.9/110.4 inches

—Curb weight: 3,263 pounds

—Turning circle: 36.4 feet

FEATURES

—Standard equipment includes: remote locking, leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera, split-folding back seat with armrest, six-speaker touchscreen audio system, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity

—Safety features include: six air bags, Forward Collision Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking (front assist) and blind-spot monitor

PRICING

—Base price: $24,795, including $820 freight charge

—Options on test vehicle: none

—Assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

—Warranty: three years/36,000 miles basic with roadside assistance; five years/60,000 miles powertrain

The Passat is sold in four-cylinder and V-6 front-wheel drive models with starting prices ranging from $23,260 to about $35,000.

Mark Maynard is online at mark.maynard@sduniontribune.com. Find photo galleries and more news at Facebook.com/MaynardsGarage. To find out more about Mark Maynard and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.