Volkswagen Passat reviews

2009 Volkswagen Passat Driving Impressions

The Volkswagen Passat is available with a choice of engines, but we find ourselves favoring the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in some respects over the 3.6-liter VR6.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is responsive and works well with the six-speed automatic. Volkswagen and Audi seem to have solved some of the drivability issues we've expressed in the past about the compatibility of the 2.0-liter turbo with the automatic transmission. On previous-generation models, the turbo and automatic didn't work together: The turbo would lag and the transmission would upshift right when we stepped on the gas and wanted to go, which was not good when we were moving out of a slow lane into a fast lane with trucks looming in our rearview mirror. But all of that seems to be gone now.

The 3.6-liter VR6 is a smooth engine. Responding with an approving growl to the driver's right foot, the narrow-angle V6 delivers a robust flow of power, taking the relatively heavy Passat to 60 mph from a standstill in about 6.6 seconds. The 3.6-liter engine has good torque down low, and once underway it revs freely, happily climbing toward the 6200-rpm power peak without harshness. But it sometimes hesitates at the bottom end. Step on the gas and there's a moment when little happens, both from a standing start and when cruising slowly. This can be annoying.

Otherwise, the six-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic control feels well suited to the 3.6-liter's power band. A highly robust unit, it's designed to handle much more power than the V6 can deliver. Gear control is smooth when shifting manually using the Tiptronic.

The sport-tuned suspension that comes with the VR6 lowers ride height (by 15 mm) and stiffens the springs and shocks. We found the VR6 sedan to be very stable at high speeds (135 mph), tracking straight and true. These are benefits of its balanced chassis with multi-link rear suspension and MacPherson strut front suspension. The front suspension does a good job of handling the conflicting duties of the front tires to both pull and steer the car.

But even the standard sedan settings feel far more sporty than in most mid-size family cars. Body roll, brake dive and acceleration squat have been all but eliminated, and torque steer is nearly nonexistent.

On the other hand, the Turbo wagon we drove did not encourage sporty driving. But it was quite comfortable in parking lots and on bumpy neighborhood streets, with a nice, cushy ride.

The Passat's electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering is very responsive and adjusts the power-assist based on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. It also corrects for side winds as well as minimizing column vibration. We can attest to its precision while making rapid lane changes at high speed.

Braking is excellent. The four-wheel discs (ventilated in front) provide direct feedback, and the ABS threshold is set high enough to allow a good measure of late braking for the sporty driver. Overall brake feel is superb, and the car stops from high speeds with little drama, aided by Brake Assist (as we found out on the Autobahn, when an old, wheezy, and plastic-bodied jalopy left over from the Communist era pulled into our lane about 75 mph short of our velocity). We've also driven a Passat VR6 sedan equipped with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, though we haven't had a chance to try it out on slippery or snowy roads. Volkswagen has offered all-wheel drive in the Passat since 1984, but the current system was all-new for 2006. The electronically controlled system is designed to work effectively with the ABS, traction control, electronic differential lock, and electronic stability program. On dry pavement, where we experienced it, it was largely invisible. We recommend 4Motion for anyone who gets snow and ice in the winter, though it's also very beneficial in rainy environments such as the Pacific Northwest.

Multiple electronic aids are on hand in all Passats to help the driver in distress, but they do little to mute the pleasure of driving the car, which is core to the VW ideal. If it weren't nimble around corners, easy to park, and stable on the straights, it wouldn't be a Volkswagen.