• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Road Test

Feeling Like a Million is Only $25 Grand Away

The mighty family sedan: a proud and solid vehicle, the official transportation of the suburbanite. Every day, millions of Americans wake up, grab their keys and head out into this bright world of ours, behind the wheel of a midsize family sedan - if not a minivan or sport utility vehicle. It appears that in the midst of getting reliability and comfort right, someone along the way - most likely at one of those gigantic Japanese corporations - decided that soul couldnt be lumped into a roomy, comfortable five-passenger vehicle for a reasonable price.

With each new family sedan introduced, all claiming to be much improved over the vehicle it replaces, the mid-size sedan segment of today is reaching perilous heights of boredom; once inside one of these metal contraptions theres little to do but go about your daily chores. Its difficult to feel the road communicate through the steering wheel, and if anything, cornering is done via a steady albeit blunt understeering path. Ownership often

2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T: the antithesis of boring family sedans. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

amounts to little more than the convenience of a dependable appliance, filling it with fuel every once in a while and taking it in for servicing when recommended. Unfortunately such automotive valium alternatives have made for some rather boring reviews, and I have to admit, a sleep inducing ordeal writing about them.

The antidote to this problem, in my opinion, is to try something totally different, something thats not driven and ridden in by every man, woman and dog. The new 2006 Volkswagen Passat fits the bill very nicely. Like the fourth-generation VW Golf/Jetta, the now outgoing fifth-generation Passat transformed the face of Volkswagen in North America. It was a bold move for Volkswagen to start

The folks at VW must have felt smug hearing that its rivals at home and abroad have since used the Passat as a benchmark for their own midsize machines. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

with Audis premium A4 as a basic structure, but one that paid off, bringing high-end refinement, European road manners, and a well-built, stylish interior and exterior that effortlessly outclassed its rivals. The folks at VW must have felt smug hearing that its rivals at home and abroad have since used the Passat as a benchmark for their own midsize machines. For the sixth generation, the Passat loses its Audi link, now sharing its main mechanical components with the Mk.V Golf/Jetta as a measure of cost-savings without cutting corners. VWs flexible architecture includes some important components to make sure the 2006 Passat is upgraded over the 2005 model, such as an electromechanical steering system, front McPherson

This latest Passat isnt a hyper-inflated Jetta, its more like a mini-Phaeton. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

struts and rear multi-link suspension system, and where available, the compact Haldex 4Motion all-wheel drive system to be placed on the larger, wider frame. So make no mistake, this latest Passat isnt a hyper-inflated Jetta, its more like a mini-Phaeton.

The new body, shaped by head designer Murat Günak and his band of stylists, takes the handsome if not understated look of Volkswagen and adds even more class. While the Passat may share the new and controversial ornamental chrome Volkswagen shield on its nose, its body was styled with thought and sophistication, and Im not just talking super-tight, consistent panel gaps either. Take a look at that main line which sweeps from nose to tail; it is interrupted only by the wheel arches, but carried through to the taillights, forming a concave shape in the doors and fenders. The effect is

Mirror-mounted turn-signal indicators, LED tail lamps, swiveling bi-xenon headlamps, tasteful chrome accents and the oversized VW trunk release all add to the wow factor. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

similar to BMWs flaming surfaces, picking up highlights in the body, but its far prettier and much more graceful than anything that has come from that premium German brand in recent years.

Exterior detailing is fantastic: mirror-mounted turn-signal indicators, LED tail lamps, swiveling bi-xenon headlamps, tasteful chrome accents and the oversized VW trunk release all add to the wow factor. Even riding on moderately sized 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in regular profile tires, the new Passat looks thousands of dollars more expensive than the outgoing model, proudly bearing an air of richness - something that no mainstream rival can currently match.

Page:  1  2  3

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo