Posted: Tuesday, September 27, 2005.

Volkswagen Passat; Moving Up a Notch

With the 2006 model of the Passat, VW is looking to raise the bar a notch or two.

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of Cutter VW Ala Moana

Or to put it another way, instead of competing smack in the middle of the 40 or so models of midsized 4 door sedans, this version is being touted as moving into the small BMW/ Mercedes competitor class. To do that VW essentially started with just about everything new. Instead of sharing the chassis with Audi and its former north/south engine mounted direction, this time the powerplant is east/west or transverse as some would say.

And speaking of motors, there are two new ones — a 2.0-liter 200 hp turbocharged 4 cylinder (shared with Audi), and a much more powerful 3.6-liter narrow angle V-6 pumping out 280 horsepower. Six speeds is the operative number of gears for all the transmissions. In the case of the 4-cylinder engine, a six-speed stick is standard and a 6-speed automatic is optional. With the big motor only the automatic is offered. Both standard front wheel drive and optional 4 wheel drive round out the powertrains.

Not over looked at all is the styling and size of the package. The more aggressive large month grill that drops below the bumper has been added much like the new Jetta. The roofline sweeps back into the trunk at a much further point and at a steeper angle. The sides continue the previous clean look of its predecessor. To help the Passat to move up in class, size does matter and inches have been added. Overall length is up 2.5 inches, width jumps a much more dramatic 3 inches, but the rest of the exterior sizes do not change much. Inside, the greatest beneficiary of the size me up program is the rear seating dimensions which jump substantially, and the trunk goes from large to enormous.

Safety equipment has been added and/or become standard. Including in this formula are side airbags and curtains, active head restraints, electronic stabilization with brake assist, anti-slip regulation, and ABS.

Passat on the Pali
To the extent you can call it that, the Wheels test driver was a base 2006 Passat with the an automatic transmission with the package 1 option (power sunroof, satellite radio, premium stereo $1625), the 6 speed automatic ($1075), and cold package ($225). The starting sticker price was $23,900, and out the door the MSRP added up to $27,440.

Oh, the days of the dark function over days of interiors are now officially dead in VW land. The Germans use to feel that well placed and solid feeling controls was it in the interior. But when Audi changed that a number of years ago with bright metals and some design work, the thinking has changed. The new Passat is exhibit A for this new approach. There is not a flat or square spot to be found and chrome, faux metal (read plastic), real metal with a cross-hatched design are all over the place. In a word, it is a true step in the right direction.

And the controls are even better with that solid German feel to them. On the driver’s door, buttons for the trunk and fuel door openers are found, and they can be locked if necessary. Little bumps on the steering wheel control the stereo functions and let you meander through the computer info in the video screen in the center of the dash. That same screen indicates the gear the transmission is in at all times — an interesting feature.

The larger screen in the dash assists with stereo and other info including indicating the station call numbers above the set buttons. All of these controls and the simply A/C dials need no explanation to understand and operate. In the thoughtful feature department, there is a puka in the front door panel to store a small umbrella. Large water bottles and such are also built into both door panels.

Wind In Your Face
Passat (which means European wind) has also moved upscale in the "key" department, because to start the Passat the remote is inserted in a puka in the dash and you push it to start. To turn off the engine, you push again and the remote pops out and the engine stops.

The relatively little but powerful 2 liter powerplant actually moves the Passat with authority. Zero to 60 times are in the 7.5-second range. Gas mileage in the Honolulu commutes centered right around 22 mpg — the EPA rating of the Passat. But the little engine that could has a draw back — it is simply noisier than it should be in the hill-climbing mode. However, the six-speed automatic is first rate in general and in anticipating the driver’s needs. Like many today, the automatic both has a sport mode (which holds the gears longer for better performance) and the ability to shift "manually" by moving the lever over and back and forth in the plus and minus box.

The standard leatherette upholstery, although not leather, still has a good look to it. With different shapes and some real side support, the front seats are very comfortable. As indicated earlier, the interior redesign is both good looking yet fully functional.

Two added features are worth commenting on. First, instead of a hand or foot operated parking brake, this Passat simply has a button on the dash that is pushed on or off to activate the parking brake. Second, there is a hold assist button which when activated holds the car in position until you wish to accelerate — good for steep hills to prevent roll back.

Ride falls between controlled and smooth with potholes and bumps being taken in stride. The body feels very stout and solid, and cornering is tight and controlled with nary a lost step. Unlike some German cars, steering is not on the heavy side but is medium weighted and with a good feel to it.

At night, the gauges and other controls are lit up with red and blue lights for an entertaining show.

Moving Backwards
As touted the rear seat accommodations are substantially bigger than the previous edition of the Passat. Simply stated even the very large will find room for shoulders, head, legs, and knees. But the middle passenger will have to deal with a floor and seat hump.

An armrest with cupholders and storage is available for the rear occupants, and with the armrest down a pass through door can be opened into the trunk. The rear seats are split 60/40 and are easy to open and drop with a pull of a lockable handle. Air vents shoot coolness in the rear from in back of the center console. The nicely lined trunk is huge with a side opening so that golf clubs can be laid straight across the back when two plastic dividers are pulled out. A small hanger can be dropped down to hold bags of groceries when needed. Besides being opened by the remote entry key and the button on the door panel, the trunk can be released by pushing the large VW badge in the middle of the trunk.

Fiercer Wind
For this sixth generation Passat, VW has set the target a little higher by pushing up the scale. This round the Passat better looks the role, and is bigger inside and out, and has some interesting powerplant choices. Further, the interior is far more entertaining than in the past, which simply rounds out a much better package overall.

Q&A
Q: There is one thing that is missing on the exterior driver’s door. What is it?

A: There is no obvious keyhole. So what if the remote does not work for some reason? There is a secret key in the remote and a secret way of finding the keyhole. Since I was sworn to secrecy, you will have to go to your VW dealer to find out the "secret".

High Beams
• Good-looking exterior change, better than the Jetta.
• Even better looking interior redesign with great functionality.
• Plenty room inside.

Low Beams
• Relatively noisy 4-cylinder powerplant.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

TOP