| Who says styling isn't important in a | | | | I can't say enough good things about the |
| wagon? If you ask me, the Passat looks | | | | Passat's two-liter four-cylinder engine, |
| as good, if not better, as a wagon than | | | | which develops a V6-like 200 horsepower. |
| it does as a sedan (review here). What I | | | | The engine has a turbocharger -- an |
| like best, though, is that it doesn't | | | | exhaust-driven turbine that blows |
| give up any practicality, like the Dodge | | | | additional air into the engine, allowing |
| Magnum (review) does with its low roof. | | | | it to develop more power -- but there's |
| Its 35.8 cubic foot load bay gives it | | | | virtually no delay between stepping on |
| more cargo space than a Nissan XTerra | | | | the gas and getting full power, a |
| SUV. I also like the details, such as | | | | problem (called turbo lag) that affects |
| the chrome-surrounded grille and the the | | | | many turbocharged cars. |
| LED taillights under clear lenses -- a | | | | The engine's snappy response is due in |
| slick-looking touch that does | | | | part to VW's FSI direct injection, a |
| double-duty as a safety enhancement | | | | fuel injection system that increases |
| (LEDs are brighter, light up faster and | | | | response and fuel economy while |
| use less energy than regular bulbs). | | | | decreasing emissions. The Passat had |
| The Passat is one of those cars that | | | | enough passing power to put many V6s to |
| looks good in some colors, great in | | | | shame and got great gas mileage; we |
| others; sadly the Passat's paint palette | | | | scored 28.3 MPG in mixed driving and 31 |
| is rather dull and conservative. My | | | | MPG on a long highway run. That's as |
| tester (larger photo) was painted Shadow | | | | good as my wife's 4-cylinder Honda |
| Blue, a color that makes the Passat look | | | | Accord wagon, which doesn't have |
| handsome but not particularly upscale. I | | | | anywhere near as much power as the |
| prefer Blue Graphite, a sharp grey-blue | | | | Passat. When car fans praise German |
| color that looks beautiful on the Passat | | | | engineering, its engines like this that |
| wagon. | | | | they're talking about. Too bad the wagon |
| Safety is a priority for the Passat: | | | | isn't available with a stick-shift; a |
| Front-seat-mounted torso airbags, | | | | 6-speed automatic is standard fare. |
| two-row side curtain airbags, antilock | | | | Ride and handling were top-notch. The |
| brakes and electronic stability control | | | | Germans aren't as obsessed with quiet as |
| come standard in all versions. Now | | | | Japanese automakers tend to be, which |
| that's attractive! | | | | made the Passat's quiet ride that much |
| In the Driver's Seat: Good ergonomics, | | | | more of a pleasant surprise. |
| love-hate navigation system | | | | Journey's End: A great car, but |
| Settling into the comfortable | | | | expensive for what you get |
| fake-leather seats - real leather is | | | | VW makes three different versions of the |
| optional on all Passats save the | | | | Passat: 2.0 (which I tested), 2.0 Value |
| entry-level Value Edition - I found | | | | Edition, and 3.6 (with a 280 hp V6 that |
| myself instantly at home. The Passat is | | | | borders on overkill - review here). The |
| easy to see out of and most of the | | | | numbers denote engine size and trim |
| controls are straightforward. Packing | | | | level. I'd be happy with the 2.0: Power |
| for our road trip was easy; the kids had | | | | windows locks and mirrors, air |
| plenty of back-seat room and they liked | | | | conditioning, cruise control, floor mats |
| the center armrest (photo) with its | | | | and CD player are all standard, as is |
| extra storage space and cupholders. The | | | | all the safety equipment I mentioned |
| cargo bay (photo) swallowed all of our | | | | earlier. The Value Edition is $950 |
| luggage with room left over for another | | | | cheaper; it gives up power seats, alloy |
| family's worth of stuff. | | | | wheels and some trim bits - no big deal |
| I had a love-hate relationship with the | | | | - but it isn't available with options |
| $1,800 navigation system. Love: Good | | | | like a sunroof, CD changer, heated seats |
| directions with next-turn info displayed | | | | and a navigation system, all things I'd |
| right on the dashboard (photo). Hate: No | | | | want. Optional amenities like dual-zone |
| touchscreen, it's infuriatingly slow to | | | | climate control, wood interior trim |
| program and the map display (photo) | | | | (photo) and rain-sensing wipers are |
| omits many street names and natural | | | | exclusive to the 3.6, which can exceed |
| landmarks. The Susquehanna River looks | | | | $40k when loaded. Ouch! |
| pretty big in real life, but it was | | | | If I were shopping for a new car the |
| missing from the Passat's map. | | | | Passat wagon would definitely be on my |
| The nav system's screen doubles as a | | | | short-list. It's strong on safety and I |
| display for the audio system which | | | | love the power and economy of the 2.0T |
| included optional satellite radio, a | | | | engine. But price is a problem: The |
| feature I really appreciated on this | | | | Subaru Legacy wagon is cheaper, and for |
| trip. -- we were able to listen to the | | | | $30K I could get an Audi A4 wagon with |
| same station for the whole ride, though | | | | the same 2.0T engine, manual |
| dense tree cover occaisionally blocked | | | | transmission and more prestige (but less |
| the satellite signal. | | | | cargo room). I liked the Passat wagon; |
| On the Road: One of the best | | | | I'm just not sure if I felt $30,000 |
| four-cylinder engines I've ever driven | | | | worth of like. |