Gas prices continue to soar and demand is literally fueling consumer interest for more efficient transportation. Entering this large void essentially inhabited by hybrids and miniature sized coupes is the family sized Volkswagen Passat TDI diesel wagon with its 35-mpg real world fuel sipping ability and a price tag in the low $24,000 (US) range. That price includes plenty of standard features including air conditioning, remote entry, power everything, a smooth five speed automatic transmission, a turbocharged four cylinder engine that produces 134 horsepower and a sensational 247 pounds of tire chirping torque, and a very roomy and easy to load 57 cubic feet of cargo room.
There is a lot to like with the Passat TDI wagon besides the fuel mileage and reduced maintenance a diesel engine offers since it does not have an ignition system to fuss with or tune. Since we have owned diesel-powered vehicles for 25 years we know the territory and we found the Passat remarkable with very little clatter or smelly exhaust. Volkswagen has done a good job of removing these two obstacles most often cited by potential buyers. Perhaps our greatest surprise was that the Passat wasn't slow. We were easily able to enter the fastest moving traffic with ease and the transmission was great at keeping the slow revving engine on task and eager to please.
The greatest compliment we paid this Passat was that it did not feel like you were driving a diesel. Unfortunately, with diesel fuel such a high pollution threat you cannot get the TDI Volkswagen everywhere. Another concern is that in colder climates diesel engines do require extra care. Overall, this is the most economical and roomiest family mover on sale.
Mom's view: We are veteran diesel owners and so I was a bit taken back by the fact that there was virtually no glow plug warm-up time with the Volkswagen. It was ready to go in an instant and only the feeling of the typical diesel rough idle enabled me to tell I was driving anything but a gasoline-powered wagon.
It may come as a surprise to some that the Passat isn't a bad-handling vehicle even though it is a station wagon. The steering is quite precise, although a touch light for me, and only the standard gas mileage oriented tires prevent it from being more accomplished on curved byways. The ride can be choppy over roughened roads probably because a wagon needs firmer rear springs to handle heavier loads. When we traveled with the entire car family onboard it was much smoother.
It is very quiet inside, with a sternly understated Teutonic interior that is easy to master, but a little too gaudy for my tastes. The night lighting is adequate, but the gaily-lighted interior gauges are wonderful. The TDI was a very obliging vehicle with the typical safety equipment offered. The only thing I really faulted were the seats so make sure you take a long test ride and don't worry about running out of fuel. Basically, the TDI is best summed up as compelling.
Dad's view: Clean air standards in the United States prevent this diesel from being sold because despite its good features, it does not qualify for sale in California, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and New Jersey. It is not really the engine's fault, but the lack of better quality diesel fuel that prevents the spread of the TDI Passat.
I was most surprised by the gentle demeanor of the 2-0 liter, four-cylinder, 134-horsepower engine and its impressive 247 pound-feet of torque. Although it did not accelerate rapidly, it did quite well in traffic and when passing. The automatic transmission was most gracious in the way it finessed the power and the fuel mileage in a most seamless manner. Only on occasion, such as a downshift, would there be some miscommunications.
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The greatest compliment we paid this Passat was that it did not feel like you were driving a diesel. Unfortunately, with diesel fuel such a high pollution threat you cannot get the TDI Volkswagen everywhere. Another concern is that in colder climates diesel engines do require extra care. Overall, this is the most economical and roomiest family mover on sale.
Mom's view: We are veteran diesel owners and so I was a bit taken back by the fact that there was virtually no glow plug warm-up time with the Volkswagen. It was ready to go in an instant and only the feeling of the typical diesel rough idle enabled me to tell I was driving anything but a gasoline-powered wagon.
It may come as a surprise to some that the Passat isn't a bad-handling vehicle even though it is a station wagon. The steering is quite precise, although a touch light for me, and only the standard gas mileage oriented tires prevent it from being more accomplished on curved byways. The ride can be choppy over roughened roads probably because a wagon needs firmer rear springs to handle heavier loads. When we traveled with the entire car family onboard it was much smoother.
It is very quiet inside, with a sternly understated Teutonic interior that is easy to master, but a little too gaudy for my tastes. The night lighting is adequate, but the gaily-lighted interior gauges are wonderful. The TDI was a very obliging vehicle with the typical safety equipment offered. The only thing I really faulted were the seats so make sure you take a long test ride and don't worry about running out of fuel. Basically, the TDI is best summed up as compelling.
Dad's view: Clean air standards in the United States prevent this diesel from being sold because despite its good features, it does not qualify for sale in California, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and New Jersey. It is not really the engine's fault, but the lack of better quality diesel fuel that prevents the spread of the TDI Passat.
I was most surprised by the gentle demeanor of the 2-0 liter, four-cylinder, 134-horsepower engine and its impressive 247 pound-feet of torque. Although it did not accelerate rapidly, it did quite well in traffic and when passing. The automatic transmission was most gracious in the way it finessed the power and the fuel mileage in a most seamless manner. Only on occasion, such as a downshift, would there be some miscommunications.