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.