Volkswagen says the redesigned 2006 Passat “is characterized with an almost avant-garde potency and class – one that is clearly muscular, but in a purposeful, sinewy way that commands respect but in no way demands it.”

We’re not as thrilled with the new Passat’s styling as VW’s lyrical press release writers, finding it less balanced than the classic proportions of the 1998-2005 model. Length and width are each increased by three inches, but the track is wider by just 1.5 inches and the wheelbase is less than a half-inch longer. Plus, the new Passat is taller by nearly half an inch. The result is a look with long front and rear overhangs, a car that appears perched on wheels two sizes too small. In a world where placing the wheels at the corners defines modern, attractive design, the 2006 Volkswagen Passat seems like a throwback.

Volkswagen says the new face of VW features a strong V-shape to recall the company’s heritage, with plenty of chrome trim designed to “evoke a coat of arms” that serves as a shield to offer protection and strength. Headlamp design intends to “present a challenging stare. Its eyes…willingly challenge the road ahead, staring it down with the focus of a highly prepared athlete anxious for competition.” We think the new face of VW resembles the new face of Audi, but with a giant shiny mirror affixed to the front and ready to reflect Ka-band radar right back at Johnny Law. At the rear, we can see how some people might ultimately confuse the new Passat with the 2006 Buick Lucerne, which has a similar design right down to the large, circular logo mounted on the trunk lid between the taillights. But the Passat has fast-illuminating LED lights in back, and when the turn signal is activated a red ring around the brake light flashes to sophisticated effect.

In addition to an overall look that recalls Audi, there are additional benefits to the new 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s design. The body boasts 57-percent greater torsional stiffness which leads to improvements in ride, handling, and cabin isolation. High-strength steel is used throughout to create a strong, crashworthy structure that VW claims will produce terrific safety scores when the Passat is crash-tested by the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. And there’s about 2.5 inches of added rear legroom, which is always nice.

The fact that anyone familiar with an Audi will find much to like about the 2006 Volkswagen Passat’s interior is nice, too. Particularly on the 3.6L version, the new Passat exudes the quality materials and upscale ambience that the Volkswagen Group’s luxury brand has espoused for decades. The mesh headliner, the chrome accents, the plastic pieces with a rubbery coating, and the matte-finish décor all come straight from the luxury car rulebook. But it’s not all good. The overhead storage compartment’s lid is glossy and feels cheap, the shifter release button is a little sticky, and the seat height adjustment lever is slippery to the fingertips.

Buy the Luxury or Sport Package upgrade and you’ll get genuine walnut or real aluminum trim on the dash, and leather seats that look and feel terrific. Control layout and design is excellent, though the optional navigation system’s interface is more confusing than a Lexus or Toyota touch screen. However, if you take the time to acclimate to its operation, it’s rather easy to manage the multiple menus, and Volkswagen does provide handy volume and tuning knobs in addition to auxiliary controls on the multi-function steering wheel. Volkswagen also includes our favorite sunroof control design, using handy twist knob to slide the tinted glass panel open or closed.