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2007 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Road Test

The biggest issue I have with sedans is boredom, or more accurately, sedans thathave a high 'yawn' factor. Whether it's because of the lack of visual appeal, or a failure to evoke strong emotions while driving, there are few that stir up those base emotions. On the contrary, there are a few four-doors that are visually stimulating, great to drive and have little to no 'yawn' factor.

The VW Passat is one of these. I must say the 6th generation is by far my favorite Passat with its long, lean lines, polished interior, excellent driving dynamics and stylish good looks. It's hard not to like it.

The 2007 model is a carryover from the 2006, a model year in which the Passat was relaunched into the automotive market with brand new everything, including a longer wheelbase, new front and rear fascias, interiorstyling, all-new features, etc. From the exterior shape to the interior lines,

Far from boring, the 2007 Passat is a sporty family sedan. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

when comparing the two models (2005 and 2006), it's an entirely new ballgame.

The Passat's cool and collected demeanor can be felt throughout. Whether it's through the soft leather seats (that aren't so cool when the car has been sitting in the sun) or the stable handling and comfortable ride quality the front MacPherson strut and rear four-link independent suspension delivers during short or long distances, the Passat made me feel great behind the wheel.

Another great feeling came from the new 16-valve, DOHC, turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. With its 200 horsepower

The Passat can be equipped with adaptive bi-xenon headlamps that "see" around corners. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

and 207 lb-ft of torque, this puppy can sure pull its weight. Ilike the quick snap that comes with the 'T' badging, although the Passat's turbo is more docile and less noticeable than, oh say that of the Jetta or GTI, probably due to the larger car's extra mass. At times when I wanted a little more zing, I felt I had to give a little more throttle than I'm used to with the German company's machines, but hey, it's a small price to pay and the power was ready and willing when needed.

It's a shame that my test 2.0T Passat didn't come with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, which I've heard is difficult to find as most midsize sedan buyers prefer the automatic. I would have liked

Interior is both comfortable and luxurious. It's not that often you find this combination so well executed. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

to get the full brunt of the engine's 200 turbocharged ponies, but settling for the optional 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual shift mode helped me pass the time just fine. I'm going to be honest and say that I am not really into the 'manual mode' type automatic transmission, however the Tiptronic is quite fun to play with here and there. Tiptronic aside, I mostly had the auto tranny in “S” mode, or sport mode because that's where the fun zone is. The engine revs higher and allowed me to zip around a littlequicker, because the gearbox is more willing to hold onto gears instead of upshifting.

A set of 215/55R16 all-season tires complete with 16-inch 'Catalunya' alloy wheels (which are standard) frame four disc brakes enhanced by standard ABS that easily broke up the party when I got overzealous

6-speed automatic holds the revs, which makes for brisker passing. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

with my right foot. If the name Catalunya is ringing bells, it's probably because of the famous racetrack just north of Barcelona in Spain. Hmmm, racing and VW? I wonder what the connection is. Just like their race-inspired name, they're pretty 'racy' for 16-inch rims and add another dimension of cool to the already sleek exterior.

While I've emphasized the exterior appeal of the Passat, the interior has its strong points as well. Inside is a cleanly polished, chrome-accented, tight-fitting cabin composition with easily readable buttons and gauges. Furthermore, the optional Luxury and Package 1 packages ($4,400) that I mentioned previously enhances ride comfort with all-leather seating andincludes a 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Plus, the driver can relax in a 10-way partial power adjustable seat and can also enjoy, along with passengers, the electronic dual zone climate control. Passenger volume is generous at 96.3 cubic feet

Trunk is pretty big by midsize sedan standards. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

allowing all guests to get comfy, front or back.

I'm not sure if I subconsciously planned it, but I seem to test drive VW's when I travel longer distances. Or maybe I purposely do that since Volkswagens (or at least the ones I've driven) have amazing fuel economy on the highway, not to mention the firm but comfortable ride quality at highway speeds that I like (your European genes no doubt - Ed.). It's also nice to be surrounded in a cabin that exudes luxury and convenience. Whether it was because of the all-leather interior, or the premium AM/FM audio system with its 6-disc in-dash MP3-capable CD changer, my outings in the Passat were very pleasurable. And when I had to fill up at the pump, my day was made that much better as it was very thrifty. Average estimated fuel consumption on the 2.0T Passat is 22 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. When driving between two particular cities on the highway I got over 310 miles to the tank and put in about $55. While there's no comparison to the previous Passat TDI diesel, this 2.0T's fuel economy performed very well for a midsize sedan.The Passat is a great all-rounder, but it's a little pricier than an Accord or Camry, and a lot more than a Sonata. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press) />
Regardless of its all around strong performance, the biggest deterrent of the Passat, to me, and the reason I'm not a candidate is the price. A 2.0T starts at $24,180 (the base Sedan model goes for $1,000 less), which is pretty steep as far as midsize sedans go. And to think with the optional Luxury and Package 1 packages, the MSRP for this test model came to $30,230. Yikes! It's only fair to mention that the Passat is truly a cut above anything else in the class, more akin to upscale models offered by premium brands like Acura and Volvo, let alone BMW and Mercedes, so the higher price is a reasonable request. Again, it's also a fantastically stable car on the road, and I love that it feels so solid and sturdy even when climbing inside and closing the door. But when it came down to it, I felt really safe behind the wheel, and it's hard to put a price on that; there's more to those viral “Safe” TV ads than just marketing spin. Who says that money can't buy piece of mind? It can, it just costs more!

After all is said and done, the Passat boasts a new higher level of midsize sedan excellence for Volkswagen, and a benchmark for the rest of the entry-level industry.

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