2006 Volkswagen Passat

Passat the latter is larger than Passat the former. The sixth generation cars are 3.3 inches longer and 3 inches wider than before. The slight stretch pays dividends inside, especially in back, where passengers pick up an extra 2.4 inches of legroom. In practical terms, that means that Passat comfortably seats six-footers, fore and aft. Inside storage spots are plentiful and include a few new niceties like a door pocket sized to take your umbrella (with drains, for when it's a wet umbrella), and adjustable cooling in the center console and glove box (perfect for that late-night sushi run). Though it shrank slightly, the trunk is still good-sized at 14.2 cubic feet, with a center pass-through and 60/40 folding, split rear seats, to boost your cargo carrying options.


Peel away the new skin on the Passat and you find an equally new chassis; some 57 percent stiffer torsionally than previously. The suspension has been redesigned (MacPherson strut front, independent, four-link rear), and joins with an also new, electromechanical, power rack-and-pinion steering system. Taken together, the package produces a car with fine road feel, and handling that is assured and sporty. The available Sport Package lowers the car 15mm and stiffens springs and damper rates. However, for our money, we'd pass on that package and spend our dollars on other options. The standard suspension Passat has a sporty feel that one would expect of a German road car; composed while cornering and without a hint of harshness. Driving enjoyment is aided in large part by a choice of two fine engines.

Power

Topping the charts will be a new, 3.6-liter, narrow angle V-6. The 3.6 makes 280 hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque, (+90 and +58, respectively, compared to the former, 2.8 liter six). It promises to be fast and responsive (0-60 in 6.6 seconds, 6.2 with 4Motion, according to VW) and thoroughly appealing to enthusiasts when it arrives this winter. However, it's also about $6,000 more than the four-cylinder Passat. VW estimates that three quarters of Passat buyers will pick the 2.0T paired with the Tiptronic six-speed automatic, as did we for our test of the most popular Passat.


The 2.0T is the successor to the 1.8T, our favorite VW engine, due to its combination of long-legged performance and wallet-friendly gas mileage. The 2.0T is EPA rated at 22 mpg city/31 highway (automatic), and yet the 200-hp, 207 lb.-ft. of torque (+30 and 40, respectively, over the 1.8T) turbo four is capable of pulling the 3,300-lb. Passat down the road briskly. Six speed automatic models are said to get from 0-60 in 7.4 seconds, while six-speed stick versions are a half second faster. The turbo boost is virtually lag free and, with the powerband stretched over six gears, the Passat is unstressed at highway speeds.


Volkswagen has always been a value-oriented company and it's the base Passat models that make the most compelling case for themselves. The $6,000 kicker to step up to the V-6 puts Passat in the middle of a large pool of highly competitive models. However, at $24,000 give or take, Passat presents an interesting alternative to midsize mainstays like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. A contrast in styles is what makes a horse race, and Passat's German roots and driver-friendly attitude add a little spice to a class of vehicles that sometimes borders on the bland. (www.vw.com)