2006 Volkswagen Passat Review

The larger, roomier, better-equipped 2006 Passat doesn't arrive a moment too soon to help troubled Volkswagen regain U.S. sales momentum.

Hurt by overdue new models, Volkswagen's U.S. sales for the first 10 months this year fell to 246,508 vehicles from 280,806 in the same year-ago period.

The redone, slicker Jetta (April 25 AutoTimes) arrived last spring as a late 2005 model, but the new hot rod Golf GTI doesn't debut until February. And the redesigned regular Golf won't reach American shores until summer.

No wonder VW dealers have been tearing their hair out in frustration, as rivals continue introducing new models.

At least the new, upscale Passat should offer some relief. It's been the perennial best-selling German sedan in the tough U.S. mid-size market. Passat sales have averaged about 75,000 cars a year here, although their sales have dropped sharply this year partly because VW fans have known that a new model was coming.

The new Passat promises to make Volkswagen an even more serious player -- besides providing much-needed higher U.S. profits for Volkswagen, which has been hemorrhaging dollars.

The Passat has been redesigned inside and out and has the right blend of German car efficiency and U.S. auto comfort and luxury to hit the spot with Americans. While rock-solid during high-speed cruising, it's a bit soft to be a sports sedan such as Germany's Audi A6 or BMW 5-Series.

Thankfully, the Passat doesn't have the confounding control set-ups found in the A6 and 5-Series. Rather, it has simple advanced items. They include an electronic parking brake activated by a dashboard button and available "adaptive'' headlights that turn in the direction of the front wheels to allow superb visibility when, say, taking curves during the blackest of nights. The car is started by just pushing a keyless key fob that slots into the dashboard.

The 2006 Passat replaces Volks-wagen's fifth-generation mid-size model and has been worth the wait. It looks more elegant than its slab-sided predecessor. Being a German car, the Passat never was flabby, but the new version's body is nearly 60 percent more rigid, which allows better ride and handling. There's also a new suspension

The wheelbase is virtually unchanged at 106.7 inches. But the car is three inches longer and three inches wider. The stance also is wider, with a front/rear track increased 1.5 inches for better stability and a more purposeful look. Height has been reduced about half an inch to 58 inches.

The Passat is one of the best-looking Volkswagens in a long time and has a very high level of interior refinement.

Engine power has been substantially increased. The Passat's remarkably strong turbocharged, intercooled 2-liter four-cylinder engine has 200 horsepower and replaces a turbo 1.7-liter four with 170 horsepower. A new 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower V-6 succeeds a 2.8-liter V-6 with 190 horsepower and propels the 3.6L from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.

The Passat line begins with a Value Edition model with the 2-liter engine. It costs $22,950 with a six-speed manual gearbox and $24,025 with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Even this base model has a good number of standard comfort and convenience features such as air conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player and the usual power accessories. Leatherette upholstery is standard, with leather optional.

Safety items include front side air bags, curtain side air bags, anti-skid system, traction control and anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist. Rear side $350 air bags are optional for the first time.

In the middle of the Passat line is the 2.0T with the four-cylinder engine. It costs $23,900 with the manual transmission and $24,975 with the automatic.

The top-line Passat is the 3.6L, which has such standard items as a power sunroof. The $31,900 3.6L all-wheel-drive model with the V-6 arrives in February, but I tested the front-wheel-drive $29,950 3.6L, which has gone on sale.

The V-6 comes only with an automatic, and a new Passat wagon available with front- or all-wheel drive arrives next year.

The automatic in the 2.0T and 3.6L has a manual shift feature, but sometimes takes a moment or two to figure out which gear it should be in when left in "drive'' mode during spirited motoring.

All Passat versions are well-equipped, but attractive option packages quickly increase base prices. They raised the list price of my test Passat 3.6L to $37,615, for an increase of $7,665.

Options include a $2,750 No. 1 Luxury Package with such items as leather upholstery, wood trim and heated front seats -- and a $5,250 No. 2 Luxury Package with features that include the adaptive headlights, park distance control that warns if you're getting too close to unseen objects and a premium sound system.

A $3,050 Sport Package for car buffs includes leather sport seats, lowered and stiffened sport suspension and aluminum trim.

The precise electromechanical power steering varies steering assist based on the car's speed and other driving factors to give the Passat driver a connected-to-the-road feeling. A redesigned suspension provides a rather soft but well-controlled ride and good handling. Braking distances are good, but the overly soft pedal takes getting used to.

There's comfortable room for four tall adults in the upscale interior, which has supportive front seats, nicely designed dashboard and 2.4 additional inches of rear legroom, although the rear seat is rather stiff.

The cockpit is quiet except for some road rumble noise; unlike Japanese automakers, German car producers don't believe in isolating a driver entirely from mechanical or road noises with some models. (Switch on the sound system and you won't hear the rumbling.) All doors have storage pockets, and cupholders are easily reached.

The trunk is long and deep, but has a fairly high opening. Split rear seatbacks fold forward and sit flat to increase the cargo area to an impressive size.

The hood raises on a hydraulic strut so one need not fool with a prop rod to keep it open when, say, checking the engine oil level in the neatly designed underhood area.

The new Passat competes with a wide range of rivals, including the top-selling, family oriented Toyota Camry and Honda Accord to the sportier Acura TL and Infiniti G35. 

2006 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 

PRICES
$22,950-$31,900

LIKES
Larger and roomier. More power. Better styling. Fast. Comfortable. Good roadability.

DISLIKES
Soft brake pedal. Occasionally jerky automatic transmission. Fairly high trunk opening.