This is a handsome car. The Passat presents a smooth, clean shape with attractive details. The roofline describes a semicircular arc supported by thin pillars, a design that guarantees good visibility and generous headroom. The rounded nose and flush-mounted headlights help lower the Passat's coefficient of drag to an impressive 0.27, the lowest in its class. Aerodynamic efficiency reduces wind noise and improves fuel economy, particularly at higher speeds.Viewed from the front or the sides, the Passat should age well. The rear view features a large, squared-off trunk lid flanked by large taillights, an efficient design that maximizes the Passat's 15 cubic feet of cargo space. The four-door wagon replaces the sedan's arching roofline with the boxy shape of a wagon. Load-carrying space is increased, and for many customers extra efficiency is worth the lessening of visual drama. Starting at $22,000, the Passat is a great choice among wagons.
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