Volkswagen offered us a one-day test drive in the 2006 Passat 2.0T and 3.6L, covering Boston city streets, Interstates 93 and 95, and country roads that wound through quintessential New England towns. There was no opportunity to drive the new Passat hard and fast on twisty roads.

We started the day in a Passat 2.0T equipped with just about every possible option, including the six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, for an as-tested price of $31,565. To start the 2006 Volkswagen Passat, take the key fob and insert it into the dash-mounted ignition slot. Push on the fob until the engine starts, and you’re good to go. When you’re ready to turn the Passat’s engine off, push the key fob again and it will automatically eject itself from the slot.

Exiting the labyrinthine streets of downtown Boston was easy thanks to the turbocharged four’s broad torque band, light steering, and smooth-shifting transmission, though we think the Passat could use larger side mirrors with a more rectangular shape for improved visibility. The 2.0T engine is peppy and responsive, without the peaky power delivery common to turbocharged engines.

Once we got onto the highway, the Passat 2.0T displayed its Autobahn-bred driving character, effortlessly cruising at better than 80 mph. However, wind noise is noticeable over 60 clicks and gets downright irritating at 85 or higher, and when the sunroof is peeled back the din is even worse – though we should note that the open roof doesn’t scoop air into the cabin. The 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T rides firmly, but still retains the old model’s comfortable ride quality over most road surfaces. And when it comes to passing, the transmission is quick to kick down but the engine feels a bit breathless at highway velocities. It’s not slow, just not as quick as we expected.

On lumpy country roads, the Passat 2.0T’s suspension and stiff body structure did a terrific job of isolating the cabin from bumps and potholes, though larger ones did result in some jostling of passengers. Steering response is improved over last year, with crisper turn-in, excellent weighting, and decent road feel without lots of excess vibration coming through the column. Plus, the leather-wrapped tiller is a delight to grip. Furthermore, the Passat features a flatter cornering attitude than the old car, and the brake pedal features terrific feel and modulation.

For those interested in fuel economy, in the 2.0T we managed 27.1 mpg without trying, and even our stint in the Passat 3.6L resulted in a 23.4-mpg average. The main reason our fuel economy average in the V6 version was favorable is because we drove almost exclusively on freeways, with the exception of a 20-minute trip navigating downtown Boston’s myriad of pedestrian-clogged, one-way and dead-end streets trying to find our hotel.

The 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L is definitely a stronger motor and possesses a degree of powertrain refinement lacking in the 2.0T. We drove a model equipped with the Sport package, and the suspension is tighter, most noticeably on bumps and dips. On undulating pavement, the shocks feel a bit too stiff for the springs, resulting in disparity between what the wheels are doing and how the body is reacting, and the sport suspension communicates more about what is happening at the road surface, upsetting the ride quality on broken pavement. The Passat 3.6L Sport’s front seats were a huge improvement over the buckets in the 2.0T. First, they offered a wider range of adjustment, allowing for bottom cushion tilt to dial in just the right amount of thigh support. But the leather was also much better, featuring soft, supple hides that were significantly more luxurious than the low-rent leather in the 2.0T.

Despite our preference for the Passat 3.6L Sport, the fact is that our test car was outfitted and priced like a luxury car at more than $38,000, and there are plenty of excellent vehicles in that entry-luxury territory. Wisely, most Passats sold in the U.S. will come equipped with the 2.0T motor, and will sticker at less than $30,000 – right in the heart of the mainstream midsize marketplace. At this price, Volkswagen has a potential winner. The 2006 Passat is engaging to drive, roomy, and chock-full of safety and convenience features.