Advanced, powerful package with 4-Motion tells Mother Nature where to go
Station wagons are bought begrudgingly by fathers who have finally come
to accept, with much frustration, the fact that their sports car touting days are over. They have kids now, and responsibilities too, so the time is right to give the little red roadster a coat of wax and a vacuum before using it for a trade in.
Trouble is that with very few exceptions, the Wagon is a terribly unexciting creature.
Volkswagen's 2007 Passat 3.6 4Motion is one of the exceptions. In fact, it's the complete opposite. Volkswagens everyday hero, it's a car sought after by many for its hard working and honest attitude, German engineered safety and refined interior appointments. Passat is a car of few weaknesses and much strength, and being a flagship, the list of technology offered to buyers is impressive. My tester was a loaded with everything the Passat has to offer.
Adaptive headlights direct their xenon fired light into corners, the crisp blue halo from each darting around the roadway in front of the driver in sync with the steering. Low-speed fixed cornering lights are also fitted as are washers, meaning that even in inclement weather, a clear view is
afforded.
If you're not familiar with your surroundings, directions can be entered into the navigation system, followed by a friendly female voice directing your every move and leaving more focus is available for driving. It's not the most user friendly nav-system out there, but it works well once you learn it.
An "Auto Hold" function engages at the touch of a button, holding the car in place every time it comes to rest without the need to keep the brakes depressed. The system releases the car at the first touch of the accelerator.
The list goes on- including features like courtesy lights, a power opening and closing liftgate, and memory seating. There is a storage compartment for an umbrella located in the driver side door, bluetooth wireless cell-phone compatibility and even a push-button parking brake to save space on the centre console.
A small display in the instrument cluster allows access to various settings
including winter tire speedometer adjustment, headlamp delay, and even ambient interior lighting. These functions are accessible via the multifunction steering wheel which has controls for the stereo and cell-phone system built in as well. Add the magnificent 6-CD changer entertainment system with powerful bass and crisp high-frequency response, and the Passat allows any tech-loving music aficionado to feel right at home.
The key has even been made more convenient. Just slide the plastic fob into its slot and push to start the engine, pushing again to shut it off. No annoying turning required!
Station wagons are bought begrudgingly by fathers who have finally come
 |
| (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
Trouble is that with very few exceptions, the Wagon is a terribly unexciting creature.
Volkswagen's 2007 Passat 3.6 4Motion is one of the exceptions. In fact, it's the complete opposite. Volkswagens everyday hero, it's a car sought after by many for its hard working and honest attitude, German engineered safety and refined interior appointments. Passat is a car of few weaknesses and much strength, and being a flagship, the list of technology offered to buyers is impressive. My tester was a loaded with everything the Passat has to offer.
Adaptive headlights direct their xenon fired light into corners, the crisp blue halo from each darting around the roadway in front of the driver in sync with the steering. Low-speed fixed cornering lights are also fitted as are washers, meaning that even in inclement weather, a clear view is
 |
| (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
If you're not familiar with your surroundings, directions can be entered into the navigation system, followed by a friendly female voice directing your every move and leaving more focus is available for driving. It's not the most user friendly nav-system out there, but it works well once you learn it.
An "Auto Hold" function engages at the touch of a button, holding the car in place every time it comes to rest without the need to keep the brakes depressed. The system releases the car at the first touch of the accelerator.
The list goes on- including features like courtesy lights, a power opening and closing liftgate, and memory seating. There is a storage compartment for an umbrella located in the driver side door, bluetooth wireless cell-phone compatibility and even a push-button parking brake to save space on the centre console.
A small display in the instrument cluster allows access to various settings
 |
| (Photo: Justin Pritchard, Auto123.com) |
The key has even been made more convenient. Just slide the plastic fob into its slot and push to start the engine, pushing again to shut it off. No annoying turning required!