Acceleration

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
6	7	7	7	5.9

Only automatic-transmission models made available for test. 2.0T likely to satisfy most buyers: sprightly from a stop, impressive in midrange and highway passing. Depends on blend of turbo boost and transmission downshift for best response, however. VW pegs 2.0T at 6.9 sec 0-60 mph with manual transmission, 7.4 with automatic.

3.6 Passats have robust power. Test front-drive sedan did 6.3 sec 0-60, but had significant wheelspin from a stop. With better traction, AWD version slightly quicker off the line. Power delivery with either engine often imprecise due to nonlinear throttle action. Test sedans and wagons suffered extreme low-speed throttle lag.

Fuel Economy

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
6	5	5	5	5.1

Test automatic-transmission 2.0Ts averaged 19.6 mpg overall, 26.9 in mostly highway use. Test averages for V6 sedans: 18.2-19.9 with front-drive, 22.1 with AWD in mostly highway driving. Front-drive 3.6 wagon averaged 21.8 mpg. VW requires premium-grade fuel for the 2.0T and recommends it for the V6.

Ride Quality

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
6	6	6	6	6.1

Firm, in the European tradition, with entire car reacting as a unit to bumps. Around town, sharp imperfections register with a jolt felt through seats. Reassuringly stable at highway speeds. Little evident difference between base and sport suspensions, 16- and 18-inch tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
6	7	6	7	6.2

Steering firm, accurate, nicely weighted. Confident straightline tracking at highway speed. Good cornering grip, balance, especially with sport suspension, 18-inch tires. Quick acceleration from low speed in 3.6 triggers annoying torque steer. Fine stopping control, though some testers cited overly long brake pedal travel on some test cars.

Quietness

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
6	7	6	7	6.2

Good isolation of wind rush, though road noise evident on coarse surfaces, especially in wagon or with 18-inch tires. Rapid acceleration has 4-cyl growling, V6 purring, though V6 slightly rough at idle.

Controls

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
6	6	6	6	6.7

Angle, location of speedometer, tachometer render them difficult to read for some testers. Climate controls too low for best access. Navigation system thankfully incorporates few audio, climate functions, but some programming steps seem illogical, and screen illegible in direct sunlight. Passat interior a puzzling mix of high-quality materials offset by budget-grade plastics and some dashboard panels that ring hollow instead of solid to the touch. One 2.0T test car suffered instrument panel buzzing, rattles.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
7	7	7	7	6.8

Generous room. Manual tilt/telescope steering wheel standard, but not all testers find comfortable driving position. Some cite shape, support of seat cushions. Others complain of 2.0T's odd amalgam of manual control for fore/aft and cushion tilt, power for backrest recline. Good outward visibility.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
6	6	6	6	5.1

Plenty of knee clearance, but tight toe space beneath front seats. And taller passengers may want more head clearance. Wide-opening doors for fine entry/exit.

Cargo Room

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
4	4	7	4	4.8

Sedans' shielded trunklid hinges eat into cargo space. Trunk otherwise deep, wide, easy to load, enhanced by 60/40 split folding rear seatback with pass-through. Wagon's cargo bay nicely trimmed, has handy side storage pockets, but seatbacks don't fold fully flat. Plentiful, clever cabin storage includes small dashboard drawers, liter-bottle holders in front doors, cooled center console and glovebox, even an umbrella slot with drain in driver-side door.

Value within Class

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
5	4	4	4	6.3

A carefully optioned Base or 2.0T model is the smart Passat choice, given steep prices for lavishly equipped versions. For example, the generously optioned 2.0T sedans we tested listed for about $31,000, the 3.6 sedans and wagons for $35,000-$37,000. Both prices are in premium-midsize-car territory, where, unlike Passat, the best entries have unassailable interior materials and something more than a 4-cyl as the base engine.

Total Score

2.0T sdn. w/Lux. Pkg. 2, auto.	3.6 sdn w/Spt. Pkg. 1, nav. sys.	3.6 wgn	AWD 3.6 sdn	Class Average
58	59	60	59	59.2

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		47
Average Score		59
High Score		69