2008 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Review discusses an elegant European sedan.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

2008 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Review

The Passat is a near-luxury midsize car that first debuted in 1974. Revolutionary for its time, the original Passat featured front-wheel drive and a water-cooled engine. The fourth generation, debuting in North America for 1998, was a ground-up redesign that moved the Passat sedan and wagon into near-luxury status. The current generation debuted in 2006 with a larger wheelbase. It has won numerous international awards and accolades.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

The Volkswagen Passat is a practical sedan with one of the most well thought out interiors in the automotive world. What other brand includes an umbrella holder that drains outside the car? Unfortunately, Volkswagen tends to not pay as much attention to exterior styling and electrical design as others. The Passat is infamous for its historical unreliability, and so far this generation hasn't fared much better. The exterior of the Passat is arguably unrefined, especially when compared to its elegant interior. While it has serious drawbacks, the Passat still offers enough savoir faire to make it worth the money.

What's New For 2008:

New trim level names debut this year: Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6. A power driver seat and rear sunshades are now standard. The VR6, which is a renamed 3.6L, now features xenon headlamps.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power ratings are not available. Problems with the last generation included coolant leaks, rough idling, vehicle noise and window cracks. It was recalled six times. Problems with the current generation include airbag warning lights, transmission leaks and emission malfunctions. It's been recalled four times for loose tie-rod nuts, failing wipe motors, and fracturing vacuum lines. Expect below average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

The Passat earned 4 stars in government frontal crash tests and 4.5 stars in side tests. In IIHS tests, it earned "Good" for the front and side, and "Marginal" for the rear. Anti-lock brakes, active head restraints, full side airbags, and stability and traction control come standard. Rear side airbags are optional.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Excellent fit and finish
+ Smooth ride & excellent handling
+ Comfortable interior

Cons
- Poor feature/price ratio
- Lousy reliability history
- Questionable exterior styling

Head-To-Head Competition:

The Chrysler Sebring Limited includes a DVD player, CD changer, leather seats and an automatic transmission, but lacks traction control and 30 hp. The Honda Accord EX, for the same price, offers a CD changer and automatic transmission. The Subaru Legacy Limited includes AWD, a CD changer, leather seats, moonroof and a standard automatic, but lacks traction control and 30 hp.

What Others Are Saying:

"Driving the Passat 2.0T is like dating an unattractive woman with a great personality who's not great in bed but is always ready to give it the old college try. You have a good time together, you know, generally, but would you take her home to the folks? What if there are better looking alternatives available? Like the old Beetle, the Passat is a kind of automotive litmus test. Just how sensible are you?" - The Truth About Cars

"If our preproduction test car was anything to judge by, the new Passat has been refined too much in order to distance it from the Golf. Phaeton owners may love it, but GTI aficionados will be disappointed." - Automobile Magazine

"With a high-tech, full-featured car like the Passat, it isn't possible to list all its attributes, which is why we give you general impressions. And what impressed me, aside from the driving dynamics, were attributes like the roomy rear seat; ease of access; deep pass-through trunk; 8 airbags; crash-active headrests; tire-pressure monitoring; center armrest with cooling storage; leatherette seating areas that feel like real leather: all things most meaningful to the average driver." - About.com

Read more about the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Sedan at the Volkswagen manufacturer web site.

Published on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - Email to a friend

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