2006 Volkswagen Passat Review

Specifications

A Premium Sedan for Less

I couldnt have asked for a more beautiful day, especially considering the storms that have plagued the East Coast this year. The setting, Boston, Massachusetts, one of the most storied cities in North America and a mecca for Volkswagen owners, or so I soon found out, was the ideal backdrop for the German automakers latest and arguably most important new model introduction of the year, the 2006 Passat.

The Passat looked dignified in front Bostons World Trade Center, where a detailed analysis of the cars many features was about to take place, its wider stance exploiting Volkswagens new Phaeton-inspired design language to much greater visual satisfaction than with the previously released Jetta. The Passat looks different than the Phaeton, of course, yet most of its uniqueness isnt up front where its subtly sculpted headlamps complement a bold chrome grille, but rather from the rear, where distinctive taillight clusters form into a molded rear decklid, shaped to form an integrated spoiler and Kamm-like tail, resulting in a sportier package than the grand sedan.

From the profile it couldnt be anything but a Passat, its arcing roofline giving away its Volkswagen heritage from a mile away. In my opinion, Volkswagen owns this look, won from millions, and decades of Beetle sales. J Mays, VWs previous head of design who penned the original Passat, as well as the Concept One which became the New Beetle, was initially inspired, reaching into Volkswagens past and pulling forward one of its iconic design themes - now that hes at Ford, mind you, he would have done better to have come up with an alternative design language (he designed the Five Hundred after all) more definitive to the blue oval group.

But of course, few people considering a new Passat would ever think of buying one of Fords full-size sedans. Im not knocking Ford or its capable family hauler, but rather pointing out the obvious, that import buyers rarely purchase domestic products. Volkswagen has this to its advantage, and also that its owner group is one of the most loyal bunch, bordering on fanatical, in the industry.

And why is this? Well, step inside the Passat 3.6 and youll immediately understand. There isnt a car in its midsize class that comes anywhere near as close to satisfying the senses, and I mean all the senses. Its a sight to behold, is as quiet as cars in this segment get, is delightful to the touch, smells of rich leather, and shows its owner has extremely good taste.

Just take a look inside. The finely detailed stitching of the leather seats and door panels reminds me of a certain Ferrari 612 Scaglietti I had the pleasure to drive this summer. The hides in my Leather package-equipped tester even felt premium in quality, much suppler than those of any competitor in this class. The same can be said of its dash, console and door plastics, all made of extremely high-grade materials that would appeal to Audi owners, not only looking good but also nice to the touch. Fit and finish of all interior panels is also superb, while all switchgear is of the highest quality.

Do you get the impression that Volkswagen builds its cars to a different grade than the majority of entry-level brands? Theyve been doing so for years, and because of this have developed that ardent following I spoke of previously. Of course, it would be negligent of me not to mention that the general reliability of its cars isnt quite up to their respective perceived quality. VW has been working hard at improving its standing in J. D. Power and Associates Initial Quality (IQS), Vehicle Dependability (VDS) and Customer Satisfaction (CSI) studies, among others, where it regularly rates below average.

It should be mentioned, mind you, that J.D. Powers studies arent exacting science, per se, but rather, like any poll or survey, derive answers reflective of the questions asked. Volkswagen owners might also be a lot pickier than Buick owners, for instance, while theres a lot less that can go wrong with a 2-valve per cylinder, OHV powerplant and four-speed automatic transmission combination, and therefore the more high-tech German brands results may vary as a result. But in the end, people pay attention to the J.D. Power studies, and this no doubt reflects in VWs sales numbers - which have been dwindling over the years.

This is a shame, as Volkswagens cars are some of the most beautifully made and most enjoyable to drive in their respective segments. Take into consideration, for example, that the 2005 IQS winners in the premium midsize category were Buicks Century (I didnt even know this car was still available) in first, while 2nd and 3rd places were tied up by the Chevy Impala and Pontiac Grand Prix, three rather bland and unimpressive cars that I just plain dont enjoy to look at, let alone sit inside or drive, and youll understand my frustration. The same goes for dependability, with the 2005 VDS placing the Buick Century, once again, on top, followed by the Buick Regal, another drivers car - not - and the Toyota Avalon - the previous generation being the automotive equivalent of a comb-over - can a list of prospective cars get more boring? So, if you want reliability at all costs, this is your list of winners. If you want styling, performance and assembly quality that is second to none, or in other words, if you want a car built by passionate people for automotive enthusiasts, Volkswagens Passat is near the top on my list.

Also, with all the work VWs engineers have put into the new Passat it may prove to have taken giant leaps forward in dependability, and my guess is that the carmaker has jumped through hoops to make sure that its various study results improve dramatically. Therefore, it may not be a front runner for MNC fleet departments, but it arguably remains as the best in the midsize class, and better than many full-size “luxury” competitors, from a perceived quality point of view - you know, that touchy, feely part of a cars ambience that makes you willing to spend more in order to own one. And for this reason alone, I cant help but recommend it to those buyers who hold fastidious attention to detail high on their priority lists.

Its also a class leader when it comes to safety, besting many in its segment. It just recently earned a “Double Best Pick” designation for outstanding performance in front and side tests, as conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To achieve this rating it had to earn top marks in every individual measurement category, which include head protection injuries and overall structural design for both the side impact and frontal crash tests.

But wait, theres a lot more to the Passat that makes it stand out in what is otherwise a rather bland midsize sedan segment. Its ride and handling compromise may be perfectly balanced, with minimal untoward harshness entering the passenger compartment, yet enough steering feel and seat-of-the-pants excitement to make piloting one, especially the 3.6-liter variant that Im concentrating on in this road test, a nonstop adrenaline rush - if any lack of maturity gets the better of your composure.

Its 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V(R)6 engine, featuring 265 lb-ft of torque, includes power-boosting FSI direct injection technology for short 6.1-second sprints to 60 mph highway speeds when equipped with all-wheel drive, and autobahn levels of high-velocity cruising - it is electronically limited to 130 mph due to the 3.6-liters standard P235/45R17 all-season tires (18-inch alloys wrapped with lower profile performance tires are also available). The 3.6-liter engine effectively replaces the wonderfully technical, but expensive and rather heavy 4.2-liter W8 engine, and I have to say is more suited to todays fuel conscious society. If driven with respect to the environment, it will sip away at premium unleaded gasoline at what is expected to be a much thriftier rate, although no estimates are yet available.

Its ultra-smooth six-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual mode also reduces fuel consumption by keeping the engines revs lower during acceleration, providing you go light on the throttle, and allows for a taller final drive than four- or five-speed gearboxes which also will be appreciated at the pump. The same short intervals between gears that benefit fuel economy also improve acceleration when the need or desire arrives.

Performance and fuel economy considerations in mind, the Passat is also available with one of the beefiest entry-level engines in the category, Volkswagens new 2.0T, a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 207 lb-ft of torque, capable of impressive acceleration of 6.8 seconds to 60 mph, and a 23 mpg observed fuel economy rating (see new vehicle road test review section under Volkswagen: 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Road Test by Justin Couture).

Another alternative would have been opting for Volkswagens TDI turbo diesel technology, second to none in North America. For good reason TDI-powered cars and SUVs make up about fifteen percent of the brands U.S. sales, but unfortunately a new TDI Passat wont be part of the equation anytime soon. No doubt, this is not due to any lack of desire by the automakers North American executive staff, but rather is the result of the fact no diesel made by Volkswagen or any other automaker for that matter meets the upcoming 2007 emission requirements. Volkswagen, which intends to meet these standards in order to satisfy demand (see automotive news section for Dec 13, 2005: VW to Switch to Common-Rail Diesel Technology from PD-TDI), obviously didnt feel it was worthwhile to invest in a diesel engine that could run on our poor quality diesel fuel for a mere year or two, before it would be replaced by a more refined version. So what do disenfranchised Passat TDI fans do now? Well, all is not lost. It just so happens that the outgoing 2005 Passat is similarly sized to the all-new 2006 Jetta, which, incidentally, is available in TDI guise. The old Passat had a 92 cubic foot passenger volume compared to 91 cubic feet in the new Jetta, while the outgoing Passats trunk featured only 10 cubic feet of space and the new Jetta has 16. The Passat features a gargantuan 20.0 cubic foot trunk! In other words, disenfranchised Passat TDI fans can find solace in the new 2006 Jetta TDI, and do so at a savings to boot.

But despite such useful information, Ive digressed from what was initially a Passat 3.6 article. If I had seen output figures as high as those that come standard with Volkswagens 3.6 in years past, Id have thought it was some rarified tuner model created by Abt, Mugen or some other VW-Audi chop shop. Or maybe theyd be more apropos beside the automakers now deceased W8 Passat. No, these are stock output ratings covered by Volkswagens comprehensive warranty.

To put it mildly, the Passat 3.6 drives a great deal more like a premium sport sedan than any entry-level brand rival. The old W8 felt this way too, but the new V6 is smoother at idle and generally more refined in nature, extremely docile while meandering aimlessly around town, as I did throughout Boston for a couple of hours after the formal ride and drive program had finished, an exploration that finally led me to the historic docks surrounding the city.

No traffic, nothing but old warehouses and wide open, nicely paved sections of roads? What a perfect opportunity for a few acceleration tests. That I did, without any official timers or radar guns, unfortunately, but my seat-of-the-pants and back-pressed-to-the-rear-of-the-seat experience tells me that the 0 to 60 mph numbers Volkswagen claims probably arent overly optimistic.

What was more impressive, however, was the way the new VW negotiated the not so nicely paved road sections, and there were many in Boston. Its precise electromechanical steering system and taut suspension combined to hold its line nicely when navigating corners at high speed, yet it also soaked up the dips and bumps with luxurious composure. Its comfortable fully-independent suspension, combined with those aforementioned leather-clad seats, made for an oh-so relaxing place to while away the miles.

VW is making a point of highlighting some of the cars 120 not-so-standard features in its initial media blitz, and its not just an innovative marketing idea. The Passat is full of thoughtful answers, some to never-before asked questions, which should make living with one a daily delight. North Westers will no doubt appreciate the handy umbrella holder integrated within the drivers door. Ive only seen this once before, and that in the rear door of the Rolls-Royce Phantom (in a slightly different league of luxury no less), the latter designed to pamper those in back, not the driver. Unlike Rolls, Volkswagens are built for drivers, or so a previous marketing slogan drilled into our perforated heads, so it makes sense for the brelly holder to be up front.

And that massive trunk I mentioned a minute ago? It opens up fully with just the click of the remote. How convenient when all hands are filled with grocery bags. The standard Passat 3.6 also includes dual zone Climatronic climate control, 10-way power adjustable front seats (12-way including lumbar support with the Leather package that also includes side and rear sunshades), rain sensing wipers, power glass sunroof with VWs class-leading rotating multi-position dial, heated and powered exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, an eight-speaker six-disc in-glovebox audio system with MP3 compatibility, and an ultra-high-end dash-mounted electronic ignition system that only needs the fob to be slotted in and pressed to start up the engine. Press it again to stop it. Other than the more powerful engine and efficient six-speed automatic, the 3.6 also comes with attractive 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in P235/45R17 performance tires, enhancing style and driving dynamics. The list of 3.6 features is way too long to list here, mind you, so check out the automakers website at www.vw.com for greater detail.

The same has to be said for the 2.0T model, which includes highly visible LED taillights, 60/40 split rear seatback with center armrest, an odor and pollen filter, a dash-mounted push-button actuated parking break, six standard airbags and active head restraints, brake disc wipers to shorten stopping distances in wet weather, electronic stability control, Hill Hold Assist, which stops the car from rolling backward when parked on an incline, and intelligent hazard lights, that, believe it or not, will turn on automatically if youre panic braking or come to a stop abruptly.
The 3.6 includes some not-standard-at-all features as well, such as a $950 set of Bi-xenon headlamps with an Adaptable Vision automated cornering feature, and rear side airbags at $350.

Two Leather packages and two Sport packages are available, any of which I highly recommend if not for the upgraded seats alone, while some of the extras that can be included are memory exterior mirrors to complement the three position memory seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an uprated sport suspension, over an above some items already mentioned.

My tester came with the fabulous Dynaudio stereo system, a completely unique approach to car audio. Altogether, ten speakers are included, four separated for bass and mounted in the doors. Interestingly, they integrate a proprietary Magnesium Silicate Polymer (MSP) technology for the cone material. Additionally, two 52 mm midrange drivers join four 28 mm tweeters placed in the front and rear of the car for a balanced sound. At the heart of the system, 600 watts of power, achieved via four amplifiers per channel totaling eight, makes for crystal clear sound reproduction with ultra-bright highs (maybe too bright) and a depth in the low range which is unusually powerful. The systems head unit doubles as the navigation interface, and features fairly large knobs and buttons that should make operating it with gloves possible. While almost overwhelming for various genres of music, the system also made talk radio sound especially clear. This might be the best sound system available from any entry-level brand, with only Mitsubishis upgraded 650-watt stereo rivaling it for clarity and depth, at least in my experience.

Connected to that audio system interface, as mentioned, is an extremely user friendly navigation system, and if it wasnt for its ease of operation I couldnt have opened up the convoluted grid of Bostons ocean-side roadways via its detailed map to find all the splendid photo backgrounds that are displayed in this article, and more importantly it kept me locked onto my hotel when I needed to get back to where I would enjoy dinner and finally spend the night. Its included with the Dynaudio upgrade, and is well worth it for the directionally challenged or travelers who go on regular road trips to unfamiliar cities.

Of course, all-wheel drive is also optional, boosting the base 3.6 price up $1,950 from $29,950 to a base of $31,900, and the fully loaded price from $40,420 to $41,414. I know that breaking the $40K mark for a midsize VW is hard to get the head wrapped around, but take into consideration that a certain 2003 Passat W8 I tested out three years ago cost more. The 3.6 is 10-horsepower more competent, and overall is a much improved vehicle than the previous generation Passat. Its also important to note that, despite the somewhat common VW badge on the hood, the new Passat 3.6 can rival any premium brand on the planet, less Bentley, Maserati, Maybach and Rolls-Royce that is, for luxury and refinement. Its really that good.

So, while the practical side of my personality still leans toward expectedly more reliable Japanese, Korean, and, ahem, some domestic vehicles, the optimistic, cheery and playful side of me wants something as exciting and beautifully executed as the Passat 3.6. I certainly hope the latter half wins the inner battle, because life would be a lot more fun.