Volkswagen Passat Review

2008 Volkswagen Passat Lux Sedan Shown

The Volkswagen Passat has long been a favorite among shoppers looking for a little more luxury and style in their midsize family sedan or wagon. For many folks, the Passat fills the gap that exists between normal, humdrum family cars and the financially out-of-reach luxury brands. Displaying a classy, restrained style inside and out, the Volkswagen Passat gives the impression of quiet competence, which is borne out by its refined driving character. Spirited performance and competent handling, along with a supple ride, are typical Passat traits.

Often regarded as a gateway vehicle for German luxury car fans who can't yet swing one of the country's premium nameplates, the VW Passat has enough in its favor to warrant consideration even from those with deeper pockets. This is certainly true of the current third-generation model and the earlier second-generation Passat. The first-gen car, due to its quirky design and questionable reliability, isn't as well regarded.

Current Volkswagen Passat

The front-wheel-drive Volkswagen Passat is available in sedan and wagon body styles. The powertrain consists of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pumps out 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control.

The single Komfort trim level is well-equipped, including alloy wheels, a sunroof, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, leatherette vinyl upholstery, power heated front seats and an eight-speaker sound system with an in-dash six-CD changer and satellite radio. The wagon includes all of the sedan's standard equipment and adds chrome roof rails. Also standard are a full complement of airbags, antilock brakes and stability control. Major options include a variety of exterior styling packages and a hard-drive-based navigation system.

Our road tests have had mostly good things to say about the latest Volkswagen Passat, from the high quality of its fit and finish to the engaging yet fuel-efficient performance of the turbocharged-4. Tuned more for ride comfort than clipping apexes on a twisty road, the Passat's suspension nonetheless strikes a happy balance between a plush ride and athletic handling dynamics. The few demerits listed against the Passat include seats that look accommodating but don't offer enough lateral support, and the fact that it's priced evenly with brawnier V6-powered midsize sedan rivals.

Used Volkswagen Passat Models

The present third-generation Passat debuted for 2006 with four trim levels -- Value Edition, 2.0T, 3.6, and 3.6 4Motion -- as well as two engine choices. The turbocharged four-cylinder has been the standard engine all along, but until 2009 a narrow-angle V6 known as the VR6 was optional. This engine pumped out 280 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, and it could be had with all-wheel drive in the 3.6 4Motion trim. The short-lived Wolfsburg trim level in 2007 added some extra luxuries and visual distinction to the 2.0T model. For the 2008 model year, the trim levels were renamed Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. Notably, some of these upper trim levels were more generously equipped than the '09 car. In particular, these Passats had more luxury-oriented features, including leather seating, a premium audio system and xenon headlights.

The previous, second-generation VW Passat was available from 1998-2005. It was a little smaller than the current Passat but was very popular thanks to its tasteful styling, peppy performance and solid Germanic feel. Based on a stretched version of the Audi A4 platform of its day, this Passat offered an unusually upscale feel. From the way the doors shut to the way the car absorbed bumps without drama and confidently carved its way along a winding road, this Passat was one midsize sedan or wagon that was actually desirable. This certainly had an effect on our editors; both the sedan and wagon were Edmunds.com Editors Most Wanted award winners for five straight years, from 2000-'04.

Engine choices included a 1.8-liter turbocharged four called the 1.8T that made up to 170 hp, a silken 190-hp V6 and a short-lived 270-hp eight-cylinder W8. Equipped with the W8, the Passat grew too heavy and expensive to have widespread appeal. During most of the car's run, VW offered 4Motion all-wheel drive as an option on V6 models (it was standard on W8 models). A frugal 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine called the TDI became available in 2004. For used-car shoppers, any Passat should be fine, but those built for 2002 and later are the best choices as they received updated powertrains and beneficial chassis improvements.

The first-generation Volkswagen Passat (1990-'97) sold in North America isn't quite as desirable as its successor. Although space-efficient, this Passat's styling was boxy and a bit strange, especially during the first five years when it had a grille-less nose. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was not a strong suit in these earlier Passats either, as it was described as rough in nature and was taxed with moving this midsize sedan. A few years after its debut, the Passat received more gusto under the hood in the form of the 2.8-liter, narrow-angle VR6.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.