2003 Volkswagen Passat Sedan

What do you call a midsize car that exudes sheer excellence all around? You could easily call it "Passat"—one of the smoothest-riding, most-refined and comfortable automobiles of its class on the road today. "In the past, the midsize category has been somewhat boring," said Stefan Krebsfanger, Volkswagen's manager of product strategy. With a history in the U.S. dating back to 1990, the Passat initiated a notion of what Frank Maguire, vice president of sales and marketing, calls "family-size cars with attitude and flair."

Tight-fitting exterior panel gaps exude a more solid, high-quality appearance.

Five versions are available. The 1.8T (in GL or GLS trim) holds a turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering 170 horsepower. Beneath the V-6 hood is a 190-horsepower, 2.8-liter V-6 with five valves per cylinder and variable intake valve timing, in either GLS, or 'top-of-the-line' GLX trim. The GLX model offers leather upholstery, a power sunroof, walnut wood trim and an eight-speaker Monsoon sound system. Both engines prefer premium fuel. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, and the optional five-speed automatic transmission incorporates Tiptronic for manually selected gear changes. Passats with the V-6 engine can be equipped with 4Motion, which is Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive system. Six standard airbags include side-curtain head protection. To help prevent thefts, the Passat is fitted with an Immobilizer II system.

Stylish. Functional. Complete. Leather upholstery, a power sunroof, walnut wood trim and steering-wheel-mounted accessory controls are available.

In addition to standard dual-front airbags, every Passat comes with side-curtain head protectors.

Pleasant as the Passat's performance is, the midsize sedan and wagon excel most in road behavior. Simply put, the Passat is among the smoothest-riding cars on today's roads—a fact that becomes evident in the first moments of driving. Its taut suspension absorbs the vast majority of pavement flaws with ease, adeptly cushioning minor imperfections, with no sense at all of overreaction. Steering is impressively precise, demanding only moderate effort at the wheel. Perfection may be marred just a bit now and then by a sensation of having to move the steering wheel a bit before road wheels respond. Otherwise, this automobile follows its driver's wishes without complaint. Clinging tenaciously to the pavement in curves, the Passat remains neatly flat.


Spacious in both front and rear, the Passat promises carefully crafted seats that are also satisfyingly contoured—magnificently comfortable, with inviting cushioning. Even the center rear position isn't bad, in contrast to many of today's automobiles, though the back seat is more benchlike and upright than the front. Rear occupants have tons of space for heads, legs and feet. Luscious leather upholstery with expert stitching adds to the motoring pleasure. Elegant-looking gauges with brushed-aluminum accents turn a soothing blue at night. An abundantly dimensioned glovebox comes in handy. Rear-drive sedans have a 15-cubic-foot trunk, with space-saving hinges. (www.vw.com)