Review Roundup: 2006 Volkswagen Passat

Our 2006 Volkswagen Passat's page has proved to be one of our most popular pages. It seems as if everyone is looking for this car. Totally redesigned for 2006, the Passat (along with the Jetta) is what really put VW on the map in U.S. We loved the old Passat (in and out) but we have to admit to being a bit hesitant with our affection for the new design... there's just so much... so much... Toyota. This doesn't look like a Camry from the side to you?

Before we get into this any further as of October 16, 2005 we had a tough time finding enough reviews of this car. As popular as it seems to be on our site, VW doesn't seem to be quick in getting this model in the hands of reviewers. Oddly, there's a new Passat living in our nabe yet we'll be damned if we can find enough solid reviews.

Anyway, there's updated engines (the W8 model was dropped... seems like no one wanted to buy a $40+k Passat), larger interiors and additional convenience options. We priced a Passat on VW's site and it seemed like we were talking $30k. It's not hard to get the Passat near the old W8's price, however. And that's Avalon territory. Right! Toyota. Oh, look, we know the target market for the Passat and Avalon haven't been the same, but with the recent all-new Avalon, we think the markets are closer than ever. But, what do we know? Let's see if the experts are Diggin' It, Lukewarm or if they Be Hatin'.

About Cars
2006 Volkswagen Passat
Rating: Diggin' It

All new, larger, more powerful. Does that sound like every new car intro these days? Yes, and the 2006 Volkswagen Passat is no different. Still, it's hard to fault the interior spaciousness plus a 4-cylinder, 2-liter engine that, with a turbocharger, produces 200 hp. And I, for one, approve of the styling, especially from the front. ... To describe the 2006 Passat's 2-liter turbocharged engine as impressive is an understatement. Rated at 200 hp plus 207 lb./ft. of torque at 1800 rpm, it hits 60 mph in 6.9 seconds with the 6-speed manual, 7.4 seconds with the 6-speed Tiptronic. Power delivery was instantaneous in the automatic version we drove; it even had a pleasant sound unlike most 4-cylinder engines. ... Visibility is excellent, the steering wheel adjusts for height and reach, instrumentation is easily read excepting some digital figures. ... If I were shopping for a sedan of this size the Passat would top my list.

Full disclosure: We are friends with Philip Powell and we still do work with About Cars (this blog gig ain't payin' for coffee!) but we feel we can be pretty blunt with Phil and have disagreed so much that it's a wonder we are still friends. But Phil's experience is only an asset (until he starts going on about Porsches, BMWs, etc.) and for Phil to give a mid-sized sedan 5 stars out of a possible 5... we know it's high praise since he's a small car kinda guy.

The Car Connection
2006 Volkswagen Passat
Rating: Lukewarm

The all-new-for-2006 Passat improves on those complaints and many more, becoming more powerful and more refined, and larger in nearly all dimensions. Most notably, it's 3.0 inches wider and 2.5 inches longer. ... Inside, there are plenty of cues borrowed from VW's big luxury sedan, the Phaeton. The quality of the materials has been stepped up again, and the overall design can be described as both luxurious and practical. ... Engines and transmissions have gone from being a weak point of comparison to a strength. The "base" engine is now a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, termed the 2.0T making a very impressive 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. ... Considering the standard mid-size competition, the Passat is one of the quietest, most refined cars inside. Road noise especially seems much better isolated than in its predecessor, the ride is very well controlled, and it's perhaps more refined inside than many luxury-brand mid-size models.

This was a pretty thorough review, but we didn't get the feeling Bengt Halvorson loved it. We want to say he did because he didn't offer up that much criticism, but we're not confident enough that he thought this was the mid-size sedan to get.

New Car Test Drive
2006 Volkswagen Passat
Rating: Diggin' It

Longer and wider than last year's model, the 2006 Passat offers more interior space, particularly for rear-seat passengers. A six-foot passenger can sit comfortably behind a six-foot driver. ... The new Passat has the presence given off by all beautifully crafted cars and is a stunning example of Volkswagen's goal of melding the aesthetic and the technical. This happy result is from a corporate culture that hasn't always understood that styling is as important as a machine's inner workings; that attitude is gone. And this aesthetic will go deeper than chrome trim or jewel-like headlamps. For instance, note the absence of weld marks in the hood, trunk or door openings of the new Passat, the kind of detail that marks the Passat as "the way forward for VW," as one top VW executive put it. ... Equally well thought out is the cockpit's overall design, which continues VW's tradition of quality materials, sensible gauge layout, and an ergonomic correctness about the driver's relationship with the controls. The seating position is commanding, the seats themselves a good combination of comfort and control, especially laterally and in thigh support. ... The Passat's interior ambience is best defined as understated luxury. Despite the cockpit's many creature comforts and electronic controls, there's a simplicity about the design and functionality that helps the driver fulfill his assigned task without confusion or calamity.

This review offered up quite a bit of praise but the ending did indeed bring our main issue with VW back into focus: "...all this goodness starts looking like a class leader. The question is, can Volkswagen's maligned dealer network become better at supporting this excellent new sedan? And, maybe more to the point, can this new sedan become the first of a more reliable generation of Volkswagens?" We applaud Greg Brown's review. Nicely done, man.

Canadian Driver
2006 Volkswagen Passat
Rating: Lukewarm

The V6 is the nicer of the two engines, with immediate response, smooth power, and a wide torque band. But the 2.0 is a solid little engine too: it's perky, with just a bit of growl under acceleration, and with the barest minimum of turbo lag. ... The Passat's seats are typically Teutonic-firm: they're not cushy, but as with most German cars, it's a trade-off for good support that makes for all-day driving comfort. My co-driver on the press launch is more than a foot taller than I am, and to the car's credit, there was a good seating position for both of us, whether we had the manual or power seats. ... The fob looks like the standard Volkswagen mini-brick, but it doesn't have the usual pop-out "switchblade" key. Instead, you insert the entire thing into a slot in the dash and push it in to start the engine; to stop, you give it another push, then pull it out. There's a valet key hidden inside it, but I never had a chance to ask the engineers what you're supposed to do if the battery goes dead, or if the key fob develops an electrical gremlin, since I couldn't find an exterior lock cylinder anywhere on the vehicle. All these technical gadgets are fun when they're new, but they can have a tendency to drain the pocketbooks of those of us who buy one car and keep it until the bitter end, or those who buy them used. ... But most buyers in this category drive their cars exactly the same way I did, and for that, the Passat is an excellent performer. Still, it has a lot of competition, and its stiff price in the upper range is going to be a hurdle for many buyers, once they shop it against cars like the Toyota Camry, the Chevrolet Impala and the Buick Allure.

We give Jil McIntosh (yeah, one "l" in her name... them crazy Canadians!) a lot of credit: she was critical where critical was important. Her full review is certainly worth a read in order to put all of her criticisms in perspective. She had plenty of praises but her overall view was one we share.

The Guardian
2006 Volkswagen Passat
Rating: Diggin' It.
Dammit, this is how to write a car review. It's impossible to quote this review because, heck, he doesn't talk about the car the way typical North American reviewers do -- which is why it's so much fun. We have no idea of the level amenities in the Passat that was reviewed but:

1. This was the most entertaining review of the 2006 Passat we've read so far.
2. This was the first review that mentioned the car comes with a towel.
3. This was the first review that didn't mention: Teutonic or engine size but did include the words: saloon, "Jaffa Cakes" and boot. Heh, them high-brow Limies!

OK, so here's the deal:

Diggin' It: 3
Lukewarm: 2
Be Hatin':0

Hey, it's a liked vehicle! We like VW a lot so we're glad to see that among the (supposed to be) paid-to-be-critical out there, it's a well-received car. We're happy to read that New Car Test Drive also has concerns about mechanical reliability because VW has indeed had some issues with this in the past, including the Passat. So, how do we think the Passat will do? It will reach their sales goals for sure but until VW proves it has fixed the reliability issues of the past it will not be a runaway success.

Images from VW and are not part of our CCL.

Comments

[turbo xs rfl]

doesn't talk about the car the way typical North American reviewers do -- which is why it's so much fun. We have no idea of the level amenities in the Passat that was reviewed but:

1. This was the most entertaining review of the 2006 Passat we've read so far.
2. This was the first review that mentioned the car comes with a towel.
3. This was the first review that didn't mention: Teutonic or engine size but did include the words: saloon, "Jaffa Cakes" and boot. He

[turbo xs rfl]

nice read thanks

[turbo xs rfl]

i love turbo cars

[Kevin B]

this car will do well I have been Passat certified for a while since before it came out and I see what problems arise, so far the only one in for a problem was a lady who filled gas and left the gas cap off! so I guess if it stays this way I will only be doing oil changes!!

[Racer V]

Great blog man! I love your new VW there. I still have no idea about how it looks on the inside though. I do have a suggestion on the best car reviews available. You can check out my site if you are interested at the best cars in the market.