Is this new car better looking than its cousin?

As is typical of this line. The ugly euro trash are praised as if they are the second coming. You got to be kidding? Both are ugly big mouthed pieces of tastelessness.

between the two of them, i would take the Passat. it definately does the "BIG UGLY GRILL" design alot better than the Audi. But for that price I'll still probably take a Benz or a BMW

The Passat is comparable to 5 Series, A6, and E Class; it's the Jetta that compares to A4, 3 Series, etc. The rear end of this Passat is not appealing: too plain for a mid-size luxury car when viewed directly from the back, and what's with the Altima slant (at the said back) when viewed from the side?! I hope it looks much better in person because the soon-to-be previous Passat this is replacing still looks better. I think VW is using too much chrome on their new grilles, and yes, the Jetta's front end is dissapointing: stretchy headlamps (instead of the more traditional "horizontal rectangle" variations BMW, Audi and VW themselves are better known for), and the hood is short and shoots down too sharply (BMW and Audi's gradual curve look better)

When you see the A4 on the street, it looks great. The VWs okay, too, but they'll always be equal in two ways - compared to their competition, they're expensive and unreliable.

@Austin, you are very right: the front overhang is excessive. However, I don't understand how this is a safety requirement in Europe, seeing as BMW is the king of short overhangs and is just as European as VW. Short overhangs are practical and beautiful; VW should take note.

Passat is just a V6 version of Toyota Corolla. They look alike. Audi design is so plain its unbelievable. Both of these cars very fugly, period.