Introduction

The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size European sedan similar in size to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Passat benefits from precise steering, with effort that automatically adjusts to the situation. Its optional six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, and its brakes are excellent. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 200 horsepower that should satisfy most needs, while returning 23/32 mpg according to EPA City/Highway estimates when equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission. The optional 3.6-liter narrow-angle V6 growls when pressed and delivers robust torque, allowing the Passat to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. The Passat boasts mid-size sedan practicality. It offers plenty of interior room, particularly for back-seat riders, so a six-foot passenger can sit behind a six-foot driver. It boasts generous standard content and a beguiling mix of high-tech and haute couture. And while the previous model was among the safest cars in America, the structure of the latest Passat is substantially improved. Buyers can choose a sedan or station wagon. The Passat Wagon offers 35.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and returns an EPA-estimated 18/26 mpg City/Highway even though it is equipped with all-wheel drive. The current-generation Passat was introduced for the 2006 model year and is longer, wider, and more mature than the previous-generation. The Passat Wagon followed for 2007. For 2008, there are no mechanical changes and no styling changes, aside from new wheels and colors. There have been revisions to the lineup for 2008, however: Base models are better equipped for 2008, base wagons can be ordered with manual transmission. For 2008, all V6 wagons come with all-wheel drive. The 2008 Passat lineup is divided into more trim levels with fewer options and packages than previously.

Walkaround

The Volkswagen Passat has the presence of a well-crafted car. It is a stunning example of Volkswagen's goal of melding the aesthetic and the technical. It has a dynamic stance, and just enough extraneous shapes and creases to make it interesting from various angles. Its look has clearly evolved from that of past-generation Passat's, which competitors have often copied but never duplicated. The nose is aggressive, with VW's signature medallion-shaped grille, vee-shaped contours on the hood, and a large VW badge. Composite headlamps frame the nose like a pair of eyes, staring intently down the road, and large intakes along the bottom of the bumper reaffirm the Passat's performance intentions. In profile, the Passat's substantial overhangs signal a heftiness associated with large, luxurious automobiles. The wheels and tires, especially the VR6 model's 18-inch wheels, fit well within the wheelwells and underscore the Passat's look of a well-grounded automobile. The sweep of the roof is of the modern, sporty sort, its coupe-like contours delineated by chrome trim surrounding the side glass. Chrome is also used in a trim strip to tie together the front and rear fender arches and the sharply cut tail, which is defined by round, horizontal tail lamp clusters that echo the shape of the front lights.

Interior Features

The Passat cabin is well designed and continues Volkswagen's tradition of quality materials, sensible gauge layout, and an ergonomic correctness about the driver's relationship with the controls. The seating position is commanding, the seats themselves a good combination of comfort and control, with especially good lateral and under-thigh support. Standard 12-way adjustability on the driver's side, combined with a fully adjustable steering wheel, ensure a good fit for all body types. The Passat offers good rear-seat legroom. We found a six-foot passenger could sit comfortably by a six-and-half-foot driver. Leather upholstery and wood trim make the Lux model feel like a far more expensive German car, minus tens of thousands of dollars on the bottom line. Each of the other models, 2.0T, Komfort, and VR6, features its own unique metallic trim instead of wood. The interior ambience is best defined as understated luxury. Despite the cockpit's many creature comforts and electronic controls, there's a simplicity about the design and functionality that helps drivers fulfill their assigned task without confusion or calamity. Ambient lighting helps with interior illumination at night. An umbrella holder in the driver's door, complete with a drainage system so a wet umbrella can be stowed without harm, makes us feel like we're in a Rolls-Royce. The dashboard design is broken into upper and lower layers, avoiding the monolithic, crowded look of many contemporary control centers. The upper panel houses the air outlets and a deep cowl shading the gauges; the lower handles various accessory functions, including the button for the electronic parking brake, a rotary control for the headlamps and, to the right of the steering wheel, the engine start/stop slot. Instead of fitting a key into a column-mounted ignition switch, the entire key fob is pushed into a dash-mounted slot. To stop the car and eject the fob, simply push it again. What might seem a gimmick is in reality a boon to safety and reliability: A dangling keychain can prematurely wear an expensive ignition switch or cause leg injury during a crash. However, we found VW's space-age ignition switch hung up sometimes when we tried to exit the car in a hurry, and was hard to pull out, which was annoying. The center console flows rearward from the dash, housing the navigation screen, climate controls and shift lever. Flanking the shifter are buttons for ESP deactivation, an Auto Hold function to keep the car from rolling backward on hills, and optional Park Distance Control. Two large cupholders fit between the seats just forward of the folding armrest. The furry material around the cupholders looks like it could be a haven for crumbs, not good for people who eat in their car. Storage is available in a number of bins, including a sunglasses holder. The Passat wagon can carry a large amount of cargo, even without folding the back seats down. Pulling out the cargo cover hides whatever you may be carrying from prying eyes. Fold the back seats down simply by flopping the seatbacks forward. This expands the cargo area, though the rear seats do not fold perfectly flat.