On the road
Steering is precise; a fact that is helped by a relatively small steering wheel. The turning radius is tight, measuring only 11.4 meters. This is better than the Mazda 6 at 11.8 meters which could be considered average. Braking performance is a little disappointing. The pedal has a wooden disconnected feel and requires a fair amount of pressure to come to a full stop. Acceleration from a dead stop is spirited and passing manoeuvres are not much of an issue. Mid range torque is plentiful.
If it was not for the slight vibration at idle and the typical yet muffled diesel engine sound, one would never really know that this Passat was a TDi. The situation would surely improve if the engine was available with a manual transmission. The TDi generates so much torque and usable horsepower that the driver would think that this was a regular gas powered car. All the while, only consuming between 4.5L and 5.0L per 100 km. The engine gets noisy under hard acceleration, though it is easily forgiven when cruising on the highway revving at only 1 950 rpm at a 100 km/h. The Tiptronic semi-automatic transmission has a self-preservation mode that basically negates its reason for being: It will not hold a gear longer than a second and will not downshift when asked (at a reasonable engine speed of course).
The original equipment Michelin MXV4 tires are despicable. They squeal every chance they get and are not particularly grippy in wet conditions either. By and large, performance would greatly improve by a set of slightly more aggressive 4 season tires.
Safety
The car has standard dual front and side air bags, ABS brakes, seatbelt pre-tensionners, traction control and, available as an option, an electronic stabilization program. The Passat is rated a "Best Pick" in its category by the Insurance Institute for highway safety (IIHS). The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the car a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for a frontal impact and 4 out of 5 stars in lateral impacts (a very good result).
Conclusion
The Passat is a comfortable commuter. It looks like you paid 45 000$ or more, but in reality, you may spend as little as 32 000$ with a couple of options. Maintenance tends to be expensive but this is the most reliable of the Volkswagens offered at the moment. Some think that the reason may be because it is the only affordable Volkswagen still built in Germany.
It will take an enormous amount of effort and good will on behalf of all of the inhabitants of this planet to do something about fuel expenditure and pollution. A diesel powered car may not be a solution but it is a small step in attempting to reduce consumption while trying to find a more viable alternative. The poor quality of the diesel fuel in Canada is another issue that needs to be addressed as the Passat blew puffs of black smoke on occasion while accelerating.
Diesel cars are no longer the compromise that they used to represent. If the Passat can inspire other manufacturers to import some of their already existing diesel powered midsize cars, then we have ourselves a real alternative in a segment where choice consists mostly on the number of horsepower.
Good stuff:
Interior quality and materials from an Audi
Fuel consumption
Not so good stuff:
Sluggish automatic transmission
Michelin MXV4 tires
Steering is precise; a fact that is helped by a relatively small steering wheel. The turning radius is tight, measuring only 11.4 meters. This is better than the Mazda 6 at 11.8 meters which could be considered average. Braking performance is a little disappointing. The pedal has a wooden disconnected feel and requires a fair amount of pressure to come to a full stop. Acceleration from a dead stop is spirited and passing manoeuvres are not much of an issue. Mid range torque is plentiful.
 |
The original equipment Michelin MXV4 tires are despicable. They squeal every chance they get and are not particularly grippy in wet conditions either. By and large, performance would greatly improve by a set of slightly more aggressive 4 season tires.
Safety
 |
Conclusion
The Passat is a comfortable commuter. It looks like you paid 45 000$ or more, but in reality, you may spend as little as 32 000$ with a couple of options. Maintenance tends to be expensive but this is the most reliable of the Volkswagens offered at the moment. Some think that the reason may be because it is the only affordable Volkswagen still built in Germany.
 |
Diesel cars are no longer the compromise that they used to represent. If the Passat can inspire other manufacturers to import some of their already existing diesel powered midsize cars, then we have ourselves a real alternative in a segment where choice consists mostly on the number of horsepower.
Good stuff:
Interior quality and materials from an Audi
Fuel consumption
Not so good stuff:
Sluggish automatic transmission
Michelin MXV4 tires
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