Minor wishes: that the steering wheel radio controls would scroll through presets instead of frequencies. That the feel-alike cruise control buttons wouldn't make cruising an eyes-off-the-road affair. That the speedometer and tachometer were marked more clearly, and the font weren't so Chrysler. That the center console could swallow more than half a CD. That the rear head restraints didn't restrain the rear view. That the Choose Your Own Adventure owner's manual weren't broken up into a plethora of paperbacks.
But buying the right Passat could cut off the complaint list right there. The first step would be to steer clear of the turbo 4. Nice numbers notwithstanding, trying to live with its peakiness and output demonstrate that turbos are better used for complementing an engine's power than compensating for it. The V6 packs an extra 20 horses (and 40 pounds-feet of torque), and the way in which they're delivered is much more satisfying. It's also the way to escape the mild vibrations of the turbo 4 (and its shorter oil change intervals), and doesn't a V6 befit the luxury image to which Volkswagen aspires? Sure, having only 1.8 liters on hand lets the 4-cylinder spare a few drops of gas, but the 91 octane diet erases any would-be savings over its competitors' larger engines.
Step two is sticking with two-wheel-drive. Depending on model, leaving 4MOTION on the table spares up to 250 pounds; it's also $1,750 in the pocket and a few more miles to every gallon. Owners will also appreciate recovering the one-third of trunk space (10 vs. 15 cubic feet) that the hardware hacks off, as well as the folding back seat. But kudos to VW for offering all-wheel-drive at all, which makes the Passat a great alternative for frigid-weather folks not drawn to the Subaru Legacy. Unlike Subaru's AWD system, 4MOTION sends half the power to the rear in normal driving (redirecting up to 2/3rds to either end in emergencies), actually providing the sensation of four driven wheels. And like all recent VWs and Audis, AWD Passats get a more elaborate multilink rear suspension in place of the simpler torsion beam. From a performance standpoint, though, power is a bit petty for AWD to fall anywhere but the debit column, so buying AWD should strictly be a safety decision. And as discussed earlier, "Safety" is the Passat's middle name.
Too bad "Value" isn't. An automatic GLX V6 rings the register to $31,430 - a decidedly stiff sticker with the faster, roomier Honda Accord EX V6 down at $26,890. The Passat's premium pricing atop the heap of all Japanese, Americans, and Koreans has been well documented, though one tidbit less talked about is how a Passat can command half its original value after five years. Try that with a Ford Taurus.
So the Passat wants more from the wallet, at least initially. Back when this model was born, it was easy to justify the stretch. In 1998, the Taurus was the ugliest sight on wheels, Hyundai owners were lucky to get to work the next morning, and Japanese cars were about as tasty as tofu. Scanning the roads on the brink of 2005, however, reveals the sight of scalpel-sharp Mazda 6s, thundering Nissan Altimas, 250-horsepower Subaru Legacys, steal-deal Hyundai Sonatas, and promising Pontiac G6s, not to mention the evergreen Accord and Camry. Against the Passat, some are more involving to drive, most are faster, and all cost less. Its once-novelty features (telescopic steering, key-operated windows, side air bags) are novelties no more. Volkswagen sat still for seven years and the world has caught up.
Still, the Passat remains one among four with a wagon body style (available with every powertrain configuration), one among two to offer all-wheel-drive, and one among one to have an optional diesel engine. It stands alone as possessing German engineering, which remains a unique and tasty flavor. The V6 engine should make for a fast and fluid experience, and the optional stickshift lets a driver complete the Tiptronic's half-finished job. VW also packs one of the most secure warranties (4 years / 50,000 miles comprehensive, 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain), and roadside assistance is part of the deal.
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