The Volkswagen Passat is one of those vehicles that fail to inspire at first glance yet their classic elegance becomes more and more apparent as you approach them. Clearly, company designers showed restraint when they penned the lines of this midsize family wagon, focusing instead, and understandably so, on the all-important little details.
Despite looking like the old Audi A6, the 2009 Passat shares a sense of luxury with its premium cousin. The chrome-clad waterfall grille flowing into the lower bumper takes styling to another level. However, time and flying debris will likely show no mercy to this beautiful crown. Other chrome accents are pretty subtle, including the window surrounds and side moldings.
Fit and finish is exemplary, while panel spacing is flawless -- further illustration of Volkswagen's renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail. But like any other wagon, this Passat's wheels, even at 17 inches in diameter, look too small for the size of the car, especially in the back.
The same rigorous approach and spirit are found inside. The dashboard is both modern and understated. With the beige interior treatment and metallic trim, the cabin feels roomy and airy, helping occupants relax and enjoy the ride.
The middle section follows the German trend of stacking the various control groups on top of each other. Greatly improving ergonomics is the fact that every control and knob is readily accessible and easy to manipulate. At night, in typical VW fashion, drivers enjoy powerful, orange and electric-blue backlighting of the instruments.
The overall layout is well executed and finding a comfortable driving position is a breeze. In fact, all passengers will feel at ease, regardless of their shape and size. The tall roof means that headroom is generous both up front and in the back. Cargo capacity, obviously, benefits from the wagon body style: with 1,570 liters available when the 60-40 split rear seat is folded down, one manages to pack a lot of gear in the trunk before running out of space.
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| The exterior design lacks flair but makes up for it with perfect execution. |
Despite looking like the old Audi A6, the 2009 Passat shares a sense of luxury with its premium cousin. The chrome-clad waterfall grille flowing into the lower bumper takes styling to another level. However, time and flying debris will likely show no mercy to this beautiful crown. Other chrome accents are pretty subtle, including the window surrounds and side moldings.
Fit and finish is exemplary, while panel spacing is flawless -- further illustration of Volkswagen's renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail. But like any other wagon, this Passat's wheels, even at 17 inches in diameter, look too small for the size of the car, especially in the back.
The same rigorous approach and spirit are found inside. The dashboard is both modern and understated. With the beige interior treatment and metallic trim, the cabin feels roomy and airy, helping occupants relax and enjoy the ride.
The middle section follows the German trend of stacking the various control groups on top of each other. Greatly improving ergonomics is the fact that every control and knob is readily accessible and easy to manipulate. At night, in typical VW fashion, drivers enjoy powerful, orange and electric-blue backlighting of the instruments.
The overall layout is well executed and finding a comfortable driving position is a breeze. In fact, all passengers will feel at ease, regardless of their shape and size. The tall roof means that headroom is generous both up front and in the back. Cargo capacity, obviously, benefits from the wagon body style: with 1,570 liters available when the 60-40 split rear seat is folded down, one manages to pack a lot of gear in the trunk before running out of space.
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| The dashboard is both modern and understated. |