2006 Volkswagen Passat Sedan New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat?
The Volkswagen Passat, known for bringing an upscale patina to the otherwise often dull midsize family sedan market, has been fully redesigned for 2006. For the redesign, Volkswagen looked to primarily improve interior room, engine power and road handling. The new Passat sedan (a wagon version will also be available) is longer and wider than before, and that has freed up a bit more interior room. Rear legroom, the prime beneficiary of the size increase, has grown by more than 2 inches. To get America's increasingly portly citizenship up and on their way, the Passat has two new engines available. The base engine is a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine. It makes 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. The other engine is a normally aspirated, 3.6-liter, narrow-angle V6 that cranks out 280 hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the four-cylinder engine. A six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional on the four-cylinder and standard on the V6. All-wheel drive will also become available later in the 2006 model year. Complementing the increase in horsepower is a stiffer chassis, a new multi-link fully independent rear suspension and an electric-assist steering rack. Another change to the 2006 Passat is a new collection of trim levels. The collection starts at "Value Edition" 2.0T and moves up to 2.0T, 3.6L and 3.6L 4Motion. The Value Edition Passat has the basics like power windows, locks and mirrors; air conditioning; cruise control; keyless entry; and CD/MP3 audio. Front side airbags, head protecting side-curtain airbags, antilock brakes and stability control are also standard on all Passats. Moving to the 2.0T trim grants nicer wheels, power front seats, an integrated radio antenna and additional interior lighting. The V6 trims have pretty much the same equipment as the 2.0T trim other than having a standard moonroof and a six-disc in-dash CD changer. Premium options (availability depending on the trim level) include HID headlights, a navigation system, leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear side airbags, auto climate control and wood or aluminum interior trim.

Advantages of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat:

• Available as a sedan or wagon
• Powerful base 2.0-liter engine
• Premium safety features are standard on all models
• Quiet interior

Objections to the 2006 Volkswagen Passat:

• Gets expensive with options

Editor's Advice:
Buyers of the 2006 Passat should be extremely pleased with their purchase. Though the car's new exterior styling lacks the classic attractiveness of the old model, the other 2006 upgrades – upsized interior, new engines and improved road handling – more than make up for it. Go for a Passat over a Honda Accord or Mazda 6 if you are looking for something with a bit more class. Our choice would be a 2.0T, perhaps with a few choice options. Two things to consider, though: VW's reliability record has dipped a bit in the past few years (the new Passat is an unknown in that regard) and decking out a Passat with options puts its price tantalizingly close to something more emotionally desirable, like an Audi A4 or a BMW 3 Series.