Volkswagen Passat reviews

1997 Volkswagen Passat Interior Features

VW dubbed the Passat "The Space Machine" when it was first released several years ago, and the revised wagon wears the title well. Its 34.2 cu. ft. of normal cargo space increases to a yawning 68.9 cu. ft. with the rear seatback folded flat, and, like its competition, it's possible to fold just part of the seat to accommodate both a rear passenger and cargo. The Passat offers 99 cu. ft. of passenger space, more than an Accord, and overall leg-room is more abundant than in the Accord and Camry.

Once accused of designing cockpits with all the warmth of day-old bratwurst, VW has responded with new interior fabrics, color-coordinated trim and plastic trim described as having a "luxury feel," newly designed door panels and handles, switches and ventilation controls, and, yes, dual folding cupholders. The instrument panel is easy to read yet full of information. A minor glitch is that the digital clock fades to almost invisibile when sunlight hits it.

Another issue is the lack of a proper glove compartment. The passenger's airbag uses up that space, and VW's solution is a lockable bin between the front seats. It's none too large and the lock appears as though it would yield to a hefty screwdriver without much struggle.

The front seating is adjust-able for height, recline, and thigh and lumbar support, and its supportive bolsters and stiff cushions reflect VW's philosophy that a car must provide a dynamic experience for ultimate enjoyment and safety. The driving position is up-right, making for a generous, unhampered view, and the various instruments are no more than a handsbreadth away from the steering wheel. Adjustable for height only, the leather-wrapped wheel nonetheless feels properly placed, adding to the overall feel of command.

VW has long been a promoter of active safety, and it has also caught up to the industry leaders in passive safety components with the addition this year of emergency tensioning front safety-belt retractors. In the event of a head-on collision, a pyrotechnic device ignites and pulls all belts tight within 12 milliseconds, optimizing the belts' position against the body and reducing in-juries caused by loose fits.