Overview:
This week we’re looking at the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 T. VW does some great things and although the Phaeton was a bust I believe such efforts help to make the rest of the line better. Ahhh, well then the Edsel should have made Ford better you say. I’ll have to think about that.
Listening to the head of VW talk about company philosophy at a press conference recently gave me comfort that these guys know what their doing. We don’t pay enough attention to who is behind the product. We’re more interested in how good we look “Behind the Wheel”.
VW and Audi share a lot including some platforms and you’ll even see the similarities in the Grillwork of the two brands. Both car lines are good but the one main ding I would give is also shared across the two cars and that is the DSG – Direct Shift Gearbox that I have a real problem with and explained in a previous review on the Audi.
General Info:
Parts – Germany 80%, US Canadian 1%, Engine Germany, Trans Japan.
Assembly – Mosel, Germany
Class: – Mid Size
Cars: – Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta Wagon, New Beetle, Passat, Passat Wagon, Phaeton and Touareg.
Handling & Performance:
The electronic handling enhancers like the ESP are all good things that make this a great driving experience. What’s not to like beside the lousy DSG Transmission. I’m in the Jetta at the moment and love the manual shift transmission. It is wonderfully easy and preferred over the automatic a la DSG.
Styling:
You gotta just love what VW has done over the years. They still give us the Beetle that has been a part of our lives for a long time. Ok, so they also produced the “Thing”, but the Bug has been a lovable Icon and somehow touched us all.
Today the styling is crisp and fresh. This is simply a nice car to look at. It has bulky components and frankly I like that. I get bored with Japanese “too pretty” and dainty looks. I suspect that is why SUVs sell so well. They present the image of rough and tumble rugged individualism. That’s the American pioneering spirit. No wusses here.
Fit and Finish:
Very good.
Cost:
Well cost is another matter all together. The base price is good and some of the items noted, as options are ok too like the rear side air bags for $350. But then there’s Tiptronic paddles at nearly $1,100, which I think is nearly useless for most drivers. The Nav system at $1,800 is up to you. Some people love and need them while others will never get out of town and thus it is an unnecessary appendage. Me, I love ‘em. The Package #2 option group for $2,825 includes Power sunroof, Stereo system with In-Dash CD changer and Satellite radio XM, leather and heated front seats. I’d dump the sunroof and go with all the rest.
Now that being said, look at the endless list of great features below that are really very special.
Conveniences:
Loaded with lots of good stuff as standard equipment.
Consumer Recommendation:
If they try to sell you the DSG auto transmission don’t do it. The manual trans is the way to go. Simple and fun to drive.
Here, in part, is what VW says about DSG: DSG Settles the Question of Automatic Vs. Manual?
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Before the age of DSG, the driving world was divided: Manual or automatic. The DSG transmission changed all that. Volkswagen’s traditional strength in solving automotive challenges through innovative engineering is clearly demonstrated by DSG, the slickest-shifting transmission on the planet these days.
Don’t you believe it! Unless I got a few lemons this is the worst attempt at changing how transmissions shift gears for us. It even borders on being dangerous. Backing up for example, you press on the gas and when the trans decides to engage it jerks your head forward and there better not be any objects behind you. Crash!
Recognized Competition:
Volkswagen Passat $23-32,000, BMW 3-Series $31-45,000, Chrysler 300 $24-40,000, Cadillac CTS $29-51,000, Pontiac Grand Prix $21-27,000, Ford Five Hundred $22-28,000, Mitsubishi Galant $19-27,000, Mercedes Benz C-Class $29-54,000, Audi A4 $28-45,000, Saab 9-3 $26-42,000, Mazda 6 $19-28,000, Honda Accord $18-29,000, Nissan Altima $18-30,000, Lexus ES 330 $32,000, Jaguar X-Type $32,330, Lexus IS $30-35,000, Infiniti G35 $31-34,000.
Good News:
Nice styling, decent fuel economy, solid construction, ESP stability is standard, side airbags front and rear.
Bad News:
Horrible DSG transmission.
Standard Equipment:
2.0 liter 200 hp inline 4 cylinder engine, front wheel drive, power steering, independent front and multilink rear suspension, ESP – Electronic Stability Program, ASR – Anti Slip Regulation, EDL – Electronic Differential Lock, ABS – Antilock Braking System with power 4-wheel disc brakes, front airbags, side curtain airbags front and rear, child tethers, anchors and rear door locks, daytime running lights, height adjustable seat belts, tire pressure monitoring system, air conditioning, cruise control, trip computer with compass, power windows, locks and outside heated mirrors, tilt and telescoping steering column, center armrest with storage, drivers power recline and lumbar support seat, rear seat armrest with storage and pass-through, illuminated front visor mirrors, front and rear reading lights and cupholders, remote release for gas and trunk, remote keyless entry, press / start ignition, push button parking brake, in-dash CD player, anti-theft and immobilizer system.
Gas Stats:
22 City and 31 Highway MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $23,900.
