In 2008, Volkswagen didn’t do so well with their Passat. For the 2009 model year, they’ve scaled back, not only in price – dropping between $6,000 to $8,000 over last year’s prices – but on the engine as well. This leaves them with a 4 cylinder turbocharged engine with a six speed automatic transmission, and only two body style to choose from – a sedan and a wagon. These Passats are priced more like their 6 cylinder competitors, but they do have a few features that may swing the votes their way.
The wagon style may be a real selling point for Volkswagen this year, as the only other sedan-based family wagon on the market is the Subaru Outback. Buyers who might have been tempted by an SUV may choose the wagon instead for its quick engine, German engineering and strong fuel economy. In addition, the Passat isn’t an SUV, with its potentially awkward ride. This is a car that’s designed for cruising on the Autobahn, so you can bet it provides a smooth ride at highway speeds here.
And what the Passat engine lacks in cylinders, it makes up for with low end torque. And really, when you’re driving a midsize family car around town, robust low end torque is more important than overall power. There are few “around town” opportunities for really using a V6 engine to its full advantage and, in those settings, the turbocharged engine – capable of getting you from 0 to 60 in less than 8 seconds – has plenty of power to get you up to cruising speed. In addition, the mileage estimates for the Passat sedan are 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway – 23 combined mpg. For the wagon, mileage estimates are 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. Both cars come standard with front wheel drive.
Another rollback for the Passat – there’s currently only one trim package available for both body styles. The Komfort trim includes air conditioning, a sunroof, heated front seats which power adjust, in-dash 6 CD changer, 8 speaker sound system, satellite radio, 17 inch alloy wheels, heated windshield washing and a leather wrapped steering wheel. The wagon has chrome roof rails, but that’s the only difference between the two body styles. In addition, a touchscreen navigation system is optional for both body styles.
Overall, the Passat is a safe car – it received the best possible rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in side impact and front offset crash tests, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Passage 4 out of 5 stars for protecting front occupants in head-on crashes. Standard safety features on the Passat include front seat side airbags, front head restraints designed to prevent whiplash, full length head curtain airbags, stability control and anti lock disc brakes. For additional safety, choose the optional rear seat side airbags.
This quality German engineering extends to the interior. Think entry level and luxury, instead of family and functional. After all, who but the Germans would make vinyl that feels and looks better than real leather? Trunk capacity is 14.2 cubic feet – average, in other words. If space is a consideration, choose the wagon, which has cargo capacity to match the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 – 35.8 cubic feet with the seats up, and 72.6 cubic feet with the seats down.
Unlike the Jetta, there aren’t a lot of trim options when it comes to the Passat. But for a mid-size family car that offers all the power you need and a more luxurious interior than you might expect, the Passat is a great choice.
