VW Passat TDI test Drive
The current Passat is quite a good-looking car, in a very
conservative way.
conservative way.
It looks big and pretty impressive in person. It has a
classic German look with a bit of really modern, simple design touches up
front.
classic German look with a bit of really modern, simple design touches up
front.
It is not as slick as the new Ford Fusion or Kia Optima. But
it looks more upscale and is a much more mature design than the Accord or
Camry.
it looks more upscale and is a much more mature design than the Accord or
Camry.
The interior is another story…
Sure, it looks and feels a bit more upscale than the Jetta,
but not by much. There are still too much cheap plastics in to many places. And
the whole design is really depressing. Especially in grey. With that cheap
looking metal trim everywhere…
but not by much. There are still too much cheap plastics in to many places. And
the whole design is really depressing. Especially in grey. With that cheap
looking metal trim everywhere…
It might be the worse looking interior in its class. There
is not one interesting shape, design element around. The rear view mirror looks
like it came from Pep Boys. And the dials for the air conditioning look and
feel cheaper than most cars out there.
(At least the standard stereo sounds really good)
is not one interesting shape, design element around. The rear view mirror looks
like it came from Pep Boys. And the dials for the air conditioning look and
feel cheaper than most cars out there.
(At least the standard stereo sounds really good)
It is actually much worse than the previous Passat’s
interior. The one that came out 2005!
interior. The one that came out 2005!
But it is big. The back seat is one of the roomiest around.
You would have to get a full sized model to get that much room.
You would have to get a full sized model to get that much room.
The 1st time I started the car, it sounded pretty
loud. Louder than other VW diesel models like the Jetta and the Golf.
loud. Louder than other VW diesel models like the Jetta and the Golf.
Not sure if it got quieter of if I got used to it, but I didn’t
seem to notice it that much other times.
seem to notice it that much other times.
The engine is a pleasure to drive, as usual. With lots of
power all the time.
power all the time.
The 6-speed manual is really nice. Although, like with
other VW 6 speed transmissions, shifting into 1st can be a bit rough
at times.
other VW 6 speed transmissions, shifting into 1st can be a bit rough
at times.
While it is nice of VW to offer a manual in the Passat, it
is restricted to the base or SE models. Which means no leather, GPS or sunroof.
It’s like being punished for enjoying shifting your own gears…
is restricted to the base or SE models. Which means no leather, GPS or sunroof.
It’s like being punished for enjoying shifting your own gears…
Steering is a bit too light for my taste. Even if it feels
pretty accurate on the freeway. It still isn’t as tight as you would expect
from a German car.
pretty accurate on the freeway. It still isn’t as tight as you would expect
from a German car.
The suspension is always very comfortable and the car feels
solid. Although not as much as the new Malibu or the Buick Regal.
solid. Although not as much as the new Malibu or the Buick Regal.
The TDI is rated at 31City and 43Hwy. (the automatic TDI is rated at 30/40).
I did match the city
rating. But as usual, I got much more on the freeway. During my trip to the
desert, I averaged 51MPG. Quite an amazing number for such a large and roomy
car. And the ride was one of the quietest I have experienced in a long time.
I did match the city
rating. But as usual, I got much more on the freeway. During my trip to the
desert, I averaged 51MPG. Quite an amazing number for such a large and roomy
car. And the ride was one of the quietest I have experienced in a long time.
With the new Passat, VW has succeeded in making an American
car. A car built in the US and not sold in Europe.
car. A car built in the US and not sold in Europe.
They have taken most of the German character that people want when they are getting a VW. Which is really weird.
The ride is
comfortable but a bit too soft. The steering is too light. The doors don’t make
that super solid sound when you close them. The interior is cheap.
comfortable but a bit too soft. The steering is too light. The doors don’t make
that super solid sound when you close them. The interior is cheap.
The Malibu I drove the week before felt much more like a
European car than the Passat. And so does the Buick Regal.
European car than the Passat. And so does the Buick Regal.
Although I am a big fan of VW’s 2.0 Liter Diesel engine, it is competing with many other sedans
getting almost 40MPG these days. Using much cheaper regular gas.
Besides a better range, I
don’t think there is a financial advantage to the TDI in the US.
getting almost 40MPG these days. Using much cheaper regular gas.
Besides a better range, I
don’t think there is a financial advantage to the TDI in the US.
The model I drove was the TDI SE. Without any options. At $26 225. Or about $2000 more than the regular 2.5L SE.
The only thing the Passat offers is a larger back seat than
the competition. I am not sure it will be enough to keep it competitive in the
next 4 years or so…
the competition. I am not sure it will be enough to keep it competitive in the
next 4 years or so…