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2006 Volkswagen Passat Review

Passat: A better Audi with a VW badge

AS
by Autobytel Staff
May 24, 2006
12 min. Reading Time
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It almost seems ridiculous to think that minivans and sedans have much in common. One is, by definition, a van that can accommodate a Utah husband with all seven wives or a percentage of his 32 children, while the other is often marginally comfortable for a maximum of five carpoolers sucking in each other’s stale morning breath and afternoon ripeness on the Monday – Friday slog. These vehicles are different in many respects, but typically purchased on the basis of practicality. True, there are those buyers who just love the look of a Dodge Caravan or the handling of a Subaru WRX, but dig deeper and there’s usually an underlying appreciation for the vehicle’s utility. Thankfully, there are examples like the Honda Odyssey, a spacious and capable people hauler that borders on fun to drive, and the sexy Volkswagen Passat, a five-passenger sedan that provides an inviting, useful interior as well as an engaging driving demeanor. It’s no longer an either-or scenario with practical and desirable, a point clearly proven by the latest family sedan from VW. Buyers considering a five-passenger 2006 Volkswagen Passat can choose from two engines: a turbocharged 2.0-liter, dual overhead cam, 16-valve four-cylinder pushing 200 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 207 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1,800 rpm; or a 3.6-liter, dual overhead cam, 24-valve V6 offering 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 265 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,750 rpm. The four is mated to a six-speed manual or a Tiptronic six-speed automatic transmission, whereas the V6 always lacks a clutch pedal. Power is delivered to the front wheels or all four via VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, and the whole package, weighing in between 3,305 and 3,829 pounds, rides on a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link setup in the rear. Handling is aided by standard traction and stability control systems, while antilock disc brakes are bolstered by electronic brake assistance. Rack-and-pinion steering keeps things headed in the right direction. Starting at $23,580 including a $630 destination charge, the 2006 Volkswagen Passat Value Edition is a nicely equipped model that makes it easy to get into a fine German sedan. Among the standard features are the turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission, heated and signaling rearview mirrors, 16-inch steel wheels and 215/55 tires, keyless entry, an MP3 player, front-side and side-curtain airbags, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and a host of power features. The automatic transmission is optional. For $950 more shoppers can get the 2.0T trim that adds 16-inch alloy wheels with locks, a rear seat pass-through, interior reading lights, and a power driver’s seat. Available extras include XM or Sirius satellite radio, a power moonroof, a navigation system, leather upholstery, heated seats, a Dynaudio sound system, rear-side airbags, and more. Next up is the $30,580 3.6L Passat which, oddly enough, features the 3.6-liter V6 and Tiptronic transmission. Standard equipment includes a power moonroof, 17-inch alloy wheels rolling on 235/17 rubber, a premium sound system with a six-disc CD changer, and a complimentary 90-day satellite radio subscription. The 3.6L can be outfitted with a $2,750 luxury package that adds leather seats, steering wheel controls, front power heated seats, a memory function for the mirrors and seats, rear sunshades, burl walnut trim, heated washers, automatic climate control, and fog lights. Another luxury package packs on a rear parking aid, high-intensity discharge headlights, and a Dynaudio sound system; while sport packages that include the basics of the luxury packages plus a performance-tuned suspension and alloy interior trim are also available. A 3.6L 4Motion model sells for $32,530 and incorporates VW’s all-wheel-drive technology. This test revolved around a Granite Green 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L with a window sticker reading $36,415. That started with a $29,950 base price to which was added the $615 destination charge (since raised to $630), a $3,050 sport package, a $1,000 Dynaudio package, and a $1,800 navigation system. We took turns putting the redesigned Passat through its paces all around southern California and recorded an average fuel economy of 20.3 mpg.

Driving Impressions

Brian Chee’s 2006 Volkswagen Passat Driving Impressions: Few things in life beat a good engine, which is what the Passat has – a good, maybe great engine, full of life and eager to please. You can feel the quality of the 3.6-liter V6 at speed, you can feel its desire to work in city driving. That makes it doubly shameful to saddle those 280 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque with a transmission that feels like it chokes the engine’s smooth power with lagging in low gears. Picture it: you’re at a stop sign, and want to accelerate quickly through the intersection. The lag makes you feel as though you’ve taken your oars out of the water for a second or two. The six-speed Tiptronic feels darn unnatural in this application, ugh, and it leads to a relatively frustrating experience behind the wheel – especially in traffic or during stop and go driving. Shifting your own gears with the manual gate helps to offset the experience, but still – you know what you have at throttle, but darn it all, it’s so hard to get there. Once there, though, once through the initial gears and into the flow of this powertrain, the Passat offers a driving experience few other sedans can offer. The suspension leans toward sport, giving you full feel of the road while easily soaking up bumps and other irregularities. It’s a comfortable car to drive sedately or aggressively, not too soft nor too harsh. The steering is finely tuned, one of the more enjoyable aspects of driving the Passat, and the brakes are capable stoppers. Some may well feel that the pedal placement is too close to the accelerator, and perhaps it is, though I never had any trouble with placing my feet on the right pedal. The Passat makes it easy to see what’s going on around and behind you; especially with what seemed like a nice, large back window. I did wish for bigger rearview mirrors, however. Overall, the 2006 Volkswagen Passat delivers an above average driving experience, one different than what you’ll find from most sedans on the market in good and bad ways. It’s certainly worth a test drive, especially if you’re looking for something fresh. Christian Wardlaw’s 2006 Volkswagen Passat Driving Impressions: What a terrific engine this 2006 Volkswagen Passat has. The turbocharged four is a gem, too, but my money is on this wonderful 3.6-liter V6. It pulls all day long, and sounds great doing it. This sedan is capable of serious speed. Plus, I got impressive fuel economy without babying it. I’m not so fond of the transmission. There’s a delay in response in Normal mode, but in Sport mode the accelerator is touchy and the downshifts are intrusive. Manual shifting works best, but I’m not sure that buyers of this model really want to press paddles or toggle a shifter. The Passat’s steering is sublime, and the suspension gives you a great feel for the road without transmitting a bunch of impact harshness into the cabin. The brakes work well, but I don’t like the pedal placement. On several occasions, my big right foot either got caught under the pedal as I lifted off the accelerator, or depressed both the brake and accelerator at the same time. Rather disconcerting during a panic stop in the rain, that last. And because I drove the car in the rain, I cannot comment on handling capability, except to say that the front wheels spin quite easily and that the traction control system is not intrusive. I look forward to giving the upcoming 4Motion all-wheel-drive option a try. One of my favorite things about driving the Passat, or even sitting in it, was the Dynaudio stereo system. I’m no audiophile – in fact, I’ve lost a good deal of my high-frequency hearing thanks to excessive use of headphones as a teenager – but the Passat’s Dynaudio setup is terrific, sounding better than just about anything I’ve ever heard inside an automobile. Thom Blackett’s 2006 Volkswagen Passat Driving Impressions: Not long after the Passat left our care we temporarily adopted a V6-powered 2007 Toyota Camry, one of the VW’s primary competitors. What a difference. The Toyota felt plenty powerful and had some upscale appointments, yet it felt more like a Buick than the last Buick I drove – soft suspension, lifeless road manners, and as one staffer mentioned, it was the perfect car for people who don’t like to drive. The Passat, on the other hand, provides a fantastic blend between engaging ride and comfortable cruiser. The 280-horsepower V6 moves out with authority, making a high-speed highway pass as effortless as a lane change in congested city traffic. There’s a weighted feeling to the responsive steering, the braking system is effective with a communicative pedal, and the suspension is tight enough to make for fun cornering while not being sports-car stiff. Drivers will also appreciate the quiet cabin, though the visibility, limited by a steeply angled rear window and three rear headrests that fail to fully retract, could be improved.

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Comfort

Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Comfort: One of the highlights of driving the Passat is simply sitting inside the cabin. Comfortable seats, nice materials throughout and plenty of room make this one of the more accommodating sedans available. At one point during my drive, I had four people inside the Passat, and everyone enjoyed plenty of room. Up front, the seats are firm and offer plenty of ways to adjust. The ergonomics of this vehicle are simply excellent, providing a good driving point of view, helping to keep fatigue at bay, and creating a comfortable environment that’s perfect for long or short trips. Some of it does take getting a little used to, however, such as a driver’s seat angle that tilts slightly toward center. Once acclimated, however, it feels natural. Seat heating controls worked nicely, warming up quickly in the morning and giving tired backs relief in the evening. The back seat is also comfortable, with plenty of hip, leg and head room. Even people of height or girth can be comfortable in the back, so just think – if you buy a Passat, you can tell your tall and stinky friend to sit in back – and he can’t complain. The center armrest with built-in cupholder and compartment is sturdy and padded, as is the center console up front. Both are large enough to accommodate two elbows – without fights. The optional manual sunscreens make the ride even more comfortable during hot days, and the leather felt sturdy – if not exactly supple. Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Comfort: The seats in our test car were fantastic, offering multiple power adjustments to find a perfect fit. Combined with the tilt and telescopic steering wheel, there’s no reason you can’t find a proper driving position. That leather-wrapped steering wheel seems a little small, but it’s nice to hold, and the upper door panels are shaped to offer a good spot for your left elbow to rest. Also, the center console armrest is softly padded and adjustable for height. Complaints are limited to the way the driver’s seat orients the body off center toward the front left corner of the car. Also, the accelerator is tucked in behind the center of the control panel, meaning that you’ve got your right leg flush against the center console, making the leg room feel tighter than it really is. Step into the back seat, and you’ll find good space but the seat is mounted too low to the floor to offer a good view out or decent thigh support. This low cushion position exacerbates the height of the fold-down center armrest, which was located too high for my comfort. Leg, foot, and head room are all generous – though that last is likely due to the low seat height. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Comfort: Comfort reigns supreme in the 2006 Volkswagen Passat. The front bucket seats are spacious and feature generous bolsters for hips and backs, multiple power adjustments including lumbar support, and ample headrests. Padding on the doors keeps elbows comfortable, as do the adjustable front center and rear fold-down armrests. The latter covers a locking pass-through and is part of a split-folding seatback with three adjustable headrests. Rear-seat passengers enjoy bucketed outboard cushions, a relatively flat center section, and plenty of room when shorter individuals are positioned in front – otherwise, back-seat drivers’ knees will appreciate the soft seatbacks. Our test car included optional rear window shades to block the sun’s warm, blinding rays. Other comfort features include a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, soft leather on the steering wheel and shift knob, and a thoughtfully placed umbrella pocket built into the driver’s door that owners in Seattle will love.

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Quality

Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Quality: Quality means different things to different people, of course, but one thing is clear: plastic says cheap like a cow says moo. Sadly, there’s plenty of plastic in the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s cabin. It really stood out in the tan, two-tone interior of the Passat we drove, a cabin with luxury touches set against rivers of plastic that made the inside feel cold. It’s a problem that extends to some of the controls: switches lacked the feel of quality, sun screen hooks were flimsy, and the cupholders were subpar. Perhaps it’s the color that accented the amount of plastic inside; looking at photos of the Passat in black, the interior seems just like any other sedan in terms of plastics and grains used. In the lighter colors, however, my bet is that the cabin will look dingy pretty quickly, as dirt and grime begins to work into the grains and creases. Again, a strange confluence: luxury seats, luxury audio system and nice padded touches – set amid a waterfall of plastic. Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Quality: Rain kept me from doing a thorough build quality evaluation on the outside, but inside our Passat I found no obvious fit-and-finish flaws. Panel fit was tight and flush, with no unsightly seams or gap tolerance variations. Better yet is the quality of the materials inside the Passat. There’s plenty of hard plastic – after all, the base model sells for around $25,000 – but that hard plastic certainly doesn’t look cheap and even when you click your fingernails on it there’s a solidity absent from, say, a $35,000 Buick Lucerne. Using generous quantities of real aluminum rather than fake stuff gets extra points, too. The leather upholstery inside our Passat 3.6L was high-quality cowhide, smooth, soft, and appealing to the eye and nose. Overall, the Passat struck me as a quality piece of work. Let’s hope that, longer term, it helps to change VW’s track record of questionable durability. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Quality: So the overpriced Phaeton sedan failed to find an audience – that’s no reason to abandon the idea of moving current Volkswagen models more upscale. Truth is, VW is already known for offering some of the best interiors in the business, often featuring materials and craftsmanship putting the competition to shame. The 2006 Passat does its part to protect that reputation with matte, padded plastics on the dash cap and door sills, attractive alloy on dash and center console, and chrome accents on the gauges, door handles, and shifter plate. Durable leather covers the seats. Above it all is a mesh material used on the headliner and pillar covers. The lower quality hard plastics are used on the bottom portions of the doors and dash, with the flimsy stuff found only on the lower center console. However, all of interior bits are tight and secure, and like the exterior panels, they feature tight and inconsistent gaps.

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Design

Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Design: There’s more to the 2006 VW Passat than that funky grille. There’s the subtle lift in back, the smooth, rear with the simple VW logo centered, the sloping roofline, and the accentuated sheetmetal along the side, with chrome accents. And ah, yes, about that grille – it looks nice, surrounded by attractive headlights. The hood finishes off nicely at that grille and those lights, and the total package, along with nicely designed wheels – give the Passat a very professional appearance. This is not a trendy look, but a design built to last. Inside, the design is interesting and at times brilliant. Love: the typical VW blue-and-red lighting, the design of the door panels and compartments, the instrument cluster, and the center console layout. Hate: cupholders that feel as though they were purchased at the 99-cent automotive store, the clickety-clack of the center console compartment lid, and the flimsy hooks for the sun screens. Christian Wardlaw’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Design: To my eye, the 2006 Volkswagen Passat looks imbalanced. It’s a longer car than before, but rides on a wheelbase almost identical to the previous-generation car. The result is long overhangs at a time when contemporary design demands that the wheels get pushed out to the corners. Furthermore, I’m no fan of the chrome-plated face that VW is plastering onto its new models, but as more Jettas and Passats roll onto American highways, the more acclimated I become to this new signature look. Inside, the Passat 3.6L is gorgeous. Decked out in two-tone trim separated by a generous strip of real aluminum, the Passat is definitely upscale. The dashboard flows downward from the cowl, creating an open and airy feel to the cabin. Controls are located within easy reach, but are not always intuitive to use. The navigation system in our test car was combined with the stereo, and thanks to androgynous multi-function hard keys surrounding the screen it wasn’t always clear what to push and when. Loading the Passat is pretty easy, though the liftover is a bit high. The trunk is shaped like a big rectangular cube, with a handy storage bin on the right side. The lid is supported with enclosed gooseneck hinges, not the most sophisticated arrangement but at least they’re designed so that you can’t accidentally crush belongings. I did note that, unlike in a recent Jetta GLI test vehicle, the protective cover for the lip of the trunk was plastic rather than chromed metal, and that the lining for the Passat’s trunk is a cheaper material than used in the previous generation model. Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s Design: There are a whole host of family sedans available for today’s car buyer, and while they all share a long list of similarities, each heads down its own design path. The styling differences are sometimes subtle, but they’re evident nonetheless. Toyota has increased the size of its Camry and added muscular front haunches; Honda has stuck with the conservative approach while swapping in some revised taillights; Nissan soldiers on with a bold love-it-or-hate-it approach; and Ford takes another stab with the fresh face of the Fusion. Despite the success any of these examples may realize, none share the upscale character of the 2006 VW Passat. Volkswagen offers a svelte, almost sexy package that simply outclasses the competition, even in $23,000 Value Edition trim. Some may dislike the shiny chrome grille, but when complemented by our tester’s chrome trim and Granite Green Paint, it works. A subtle bodyside crease gives the flanks some definition, and the tail end is nicely decorated with an integrated spoiler and rectangular lenses akin to those on the Jetta. The interior is worthy of equal praise, from the use of quality materials including alloy trim and durable leather, to the logical placement of primary controls and the smooth shapes.

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Advice

Brian Chee’s Advice about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat: At a base price of just under $30,000, it’s a little hard to recommend this vehicle when other, very capable sedans cost less, even though the Passat is a well-built sedan with plenty going for it: a comfortable and spacious interior, a capable engine, and a refined, professional design. Some of the cheap bits inside knock it down a peg, though, but mostly it’s a price and option thing. The base Passat is within hailing distance of a few luxury sedans on the market, by golly, and when you option up, why, you can climb to $40,000. Yeah. $40K for a Passat. It’s a shame. I say take a drive anyway. You may fall in love with this different and improved take on the sedan. And if so, but the price is still too high, consider the smaller 2.0-liter turbo – which is value-oriented at around $23,000. Christian Wardlaw’s Advice about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat: A loaded 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L, like our test car, is expensive. You can buy a very nice Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Chrysler 300, or Infiniti G35 for the same money. And that’s where the Passat’s biggest problem lies. Americans want a luxury badge when they pay luxury prices, and when Americans think VW, they think small. Blame that on the success of the Beetle, and its famous advertising campaign. This Passat is a terrific car to drive, a luxury car by all accounts, comfortable, fast, capable, and safe. But it costs too much money, leaving it stuck in a netherworld between vehicles like the Honda Accord EX and the Acura TL. My local newspaper, the , frequently advertises a low-down, low-payment lease on the base Passat, which is called the Value Edition. That car makes better sense, even if it doesn’t have the Passat 3.6L’s wonderful seats, stunning Dynaudio system, snazzy alloy wheels, and terrific V6 powertrain. Thom Blackett’s Advice about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat: My first instinct is to jump on the band wagon with my co-workers and complain about the Passat’s cost. To some degree, an as-tested sticker north of $36,000 is shocking for a family sedan. That is until you consider what’s going on with the competition. A similarly-equipped Nissan Maxima goes for about the same dough, a loaded Toyota Camry plays in the same ball park yet is arguably a much less enjoyable drive, leaving cars like the Honda Accord and Ford Fusion as the only true values in this sub-luxury segment. Yes, $36,000 for a Volkswagen is hard to swallow, but the same can be said for a car that shares lot space with the Yaris and another once sold as a Datsun. Still, is the Passat 3.6L worth a look? Absolutely. It’s a great car to drive and if one can open his mind about what a VW is, this ride might even feel like a luxury value. That being said, I’d nevertheless pocket the extra coin and opt for a fully-loaded, $30,000 Honda Accord. But that’s just me and my cheap-ass way.

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Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L Price of Test Vehicle: $36,415 (including a $615 destination charge; since raised to $630) Engine Size and Type: 3.6-liter V6 Engine Horsepower: 280 at 6,200 rpm Engine Torque: 265 lb.-ft. at 2,750 rpm Transmission: Six-speed automatic Curb weight, lbs.: 3,829 EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 19/28 mpg Observed Fuel Economy: 20.3 mpg Length: 188.2 inches Width: 71.7 inches Wheelbase: 106.7 inches Height: 58.0 inches Leg room (front/rear): 41.4/37.7 inches Head room (front/rear): 38.4/37.8 inches Max. Seating Capacity: Five Max. Cargo Volume: 14.2 cubic feet Competitors: Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Impala, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion, Ford Five Hundred, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Azera, Infiniti G35, Jaguar X-Type, Kia Amanti, Lexus IS, Lincoln Zephyr, Mazda 6, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mercury Milan, Mercury Montego, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, Pontiac G6, Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5, Saturn AURA, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, Volvo S40, Volvo S60

Photos by Ron Perry

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