Background: With so much media attention focused on the return of the Beetle to the U.S. market, the all-new, mid-size, 1998 Passat may be the best kept secret at Volkswagen dealers. The front-wheel-drive, four-door Passat shares many characteristics of its more expensive Audi cousin. Audi is Volkswagen's luxury car division. Passat's entry-level offering comes well equipped and offers many nuances for the price. Back in 1981 model year, Volkswagen introduced the Quantum, the forerunner of the Passat. The name chanced in the 1989 model year and Passat received a face lift and optional V-6 engine in the 1993 model year. To date, sales are up more than 110 percent over last year. In the 1999 models year, all-wheel drive will be offered in select V-6 models.
Trim levels: The 1998 Passat debuted late last fall with a GLS trim level including Audi's 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Now arriving at dealers is a six-cylinder GLS version. A top-of-the-line GLX model debuts later this year. In addition, a front-wheel drive Passat wagon is making its way to area dealerships. A diesel-fueled Passat is available in Europe, but currently is not offered here. New For 98. The German engineered and built Passat is slightly larger than its predecessor with an update exterior look featuring a longer roofline. The wheelbase (distance between the front and rear axle) increases by three inches for 1998, making for better handling and smoother ride. Passenger room and trunk volume increase as well.
Safety features: Passat's full-boat of safety equipment, impressive for a mid-size offering includes driver and passenger air bags, front seat-mounted side-impact air bags, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, remote keyless entry, daytime running lights, collapsible steering column and traction control. The bodyshell has been strengthened by 10 percent over it's 1997 predecessor.
Standard equipment: Passat's impressive list of standard equipment in entry-level GLS editions includes air conditioning, power assist rack and pinion steering, rear heat ducts, cruise control, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, heated power side mirrors, power windows and door locks, rear window defogger variable-speed windshield wipers, five-speed manual transmission and tilt steering wheel.
Optional equipment: Power glass sunroof, six-disc, trunk-mounted compact disc player, leather seat trim, heated windshield washer nozzles and heated front seats are optional. Also optional is Volkswagen's five-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission, which can either be operated as a normal automatic transmission, or when more control is desired, gears can be shifted manually using a special shift gate. Also optional is a V-6 engine.
Price: The 1998 Passat GLS has a starting price of $20,750. Our test-drive edition included five-speed automatic transmission, compact disc changer and black leather interior trim. With a $500 destination charge, the bottom line totaled $23,555. The GLS V-6 starts at $23,190 and this fall, the top-of-the-line GLX starts at $26,250, including leather seating power front seats power sunroof standard. Wagons check in at $21,300.
Engine: The standard powertrain in GLS is a 1.8-liter, five-valve, four-cylinder turbocharged engine delivering 150 horsepower. The engine is borrowed from the Audi A4 and is the first Volkswagen to feature this double overhead cam, sequential multi-port, fuel-injected engine. An optional V-6 engine in GLS trim levels features 190 horsepower. The top-of-the-line GLX includes an even more powerful 2.8-liter V-6 also borrowed from Audi.
Seating comfort: Passat is one of a handful of mid-size sedans who live up to the claim of being a five seater. Three adults actually fit in reasonable comfort in back even with a floor hump. Backseat rests include a 60/40 split with locking feature, for gaining access to the trunk when transporting long skis or other items. Two ceiling reading lamps are included in back too. Drivers sit relatively high up in the front bucket seat and have decent road perception, although the rear roof pillars are thick and the right side-view mirror is too tiny. With 95 cubic feet of passenger room, this mid-size family sedan has a roomy feel.
Interior: Ventilation controls include three dials: fan speed, direction and temperature settings. The stereo system sits below climate controls. The fuel tank release button is positioned between the front bucket seats along with the hand-operated parking brake, coin trays and long, slender, fold-up arm rest. A headlight dial control is left of the steering column. Cruise control is operated from the turn signal stalk. Windshield wipers monitor from a right-hand side stalk. The front dual cupholder with its unique design, retracts out from the dashboard in a curved fashion far enough as not to block most dashboard functions. In front of the floor-mounted transmission is an ash tray and lighter hidden below a retractable cover. Driver and passenger doors have good sized map pockets, but interior chrome door handles are too small.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 106.4 inches Overall length: 184.1 inches Overall width: 68.5 inches Overall height: 57.4 inches Front headroom: 39.7 inches Weight: 3,120 pounds
Exterior: The front grille, with a black four-bar design, includes two rectangular headlights and the circular, "VW" logo. Strap-like door handles and bumpers are body color. Fifteen-inch steel wheel covers are mounted to 15-inch tires. The foot-long, black radio antenna is affixed to the roof. Positioned on each side of the trunk lid are large, square taillights. The keyhole is centered on the trunk lid below another "VW" logo.
Trunk: At 15 cubic feet, Passat's trunk volume increases from last year's 14 cubic-foot measurement. It's one of the biggest trunks in the mid-size class. A full-size spare tire fits under the flat-floored trunk.
Fuel economy: Mileage estimates check in at 21 miles per gallon city and 31 m.p.g. highway when coupled with the five-speed automatic transmission. The tank holds 18.5 gallons of unleaded regular fuel. The locking fuel tank door is found on the passenger's side. Premium fuel is recommended for V-6 engines.
Final thoughts: If you find yourself at a Volkswagen dealer eager to test drive a Beetle, but find none in stock, step over to the Passat display. When compared with competitors like Mazda's 626 or Ford's Contour or Chevrolet Malibu, the $20,000 price tag may seem high. But Passat includes a gaggle of standard features and borrows so much from its more expensive Audi cousin, it rides and feels like a more expensive offering. The suspension absorbs roadway imperfections nicely and brakes grab quickly for sure-footed stops. Volkswagen's warranty program is worth noting too. All Passat's include an 11-year limited perforation warranty is included along with a 10-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. |