Picture Gallery: 2007 VW Passat Wagon 3.6L 4Motion
Day 1:
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I’ve got a great story about this Passat Wagon. I picked it up from the esteemed Paul Williams Tuesday night and headed off. Then, out of sheer curiosity I decided I would push the button on the console that read “Auto Hold,” figuring it was similar to a hill start assist. Well it seems I was correct, and then the fun began.
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So there I am, in a $52,000 vehicle sitting there like a dork with no way to move the car. A quick search around the vehicle in the typical parking brake locations didn’t help. Grab the manual! Great: it’s in French… comment-on dit “Parking Brake” en francais?
So on the phone to Paul, and he reveals that there is a button on the left hand side of the dash beside the steering wheel. Interesting; lesson learned.
I hope to have fun this week learning the fine art of German engineering. So far I am impressed by many aspects of the Passat Wagon. The 3.6L engine produces 280hp, which is more than enough to get this vehicle moving quickly, and the interior is fully loaded for that luxurious feel. Options on top of the standard features on the 4Motion include Bi-Xenon Headlights with Adaptive Front-Light System and the Sport Leather Package.
2007 VW Passat Wagon 3.6L 4Motion
MSRP as tested: $52,825
For more information on VW and the Passat Wagon visit VW Canada
Day 2:
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Volkswagen used to be a relatively inexpensive brand, but for the most part now are hanging out on the brink of luxury pricing, so I expect them to bring the goods with this offering. The Passat delivers with memory seats with 6 way electric adjustability, seat heaters, adaptive headlamps, moonroof, auto up/down windows and more. The Passat really is loaded with the kind of luxury features you would expect for $52,000.
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The Passat 4Motion Wagon is powered by a 3.6L FSI V6 engine which produces 280hp and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting. My tester also includes the paddle shifters on the steering wheel as part of the Sports Package. The engine is remarkably smooth and powerful; coupled with the all-wheel drive system, a hard stab at the accelerator provides enough acceleration to pin you to the seat as you reach 100km/h in just over 6 seconds.
The automatic transmission is quick to shift as well. At first I was convinced it was the DSG transmission that I tested in the Jetta GLI a few months back. Further testing proved to me the shifts are not as fast as the DSG with this automatic transmission but it is remarkably close. This is one automatic transmission I could live with as an enthusiast since the paddle shifter is extremely responsive. It seems to me VW really does know how to build a driver’s car.
Day 3:
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First the key: similar to a smart key, the key is the fob and vice-versa and it slides into a slot in the dash. To start the vehicle you place your foot on the brake and slide the key into the dash and push in. The same procedure is used to stop the vehicle as well — just push the key further in and it pops out. There is an emergency classic-type key built into the electronic key that pops out with the push of a hidden button the side of the fob.
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Where I can see a use for it would be for drag racing. If you push the “Auto Hold” button while driving along it will activate when you come to a complete stop. You can then remove your foot from the brake pedal and hold it over the gas pedal to get yourself ready for a fast launch. I’m not sure how many Passat owners will drag race their cars though — even if it is fast enough to compete.
Other technologies in the Passat that are immediately recognizable to the driver are the aforementioned electronic parking brake, automatic adaptive headlights, automatic climate control and a fairly confusing wiper stalk. I’m sure if you owned the vehicle the wiper stock would become second nature, but to someone who rarely drives VWs, it is a rather complex device that requires a lot of pushing and pulling.
Day 4:
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I can tell you that I enjoyed my week in the Passat. However, it has 14,000km on the odometer and this morning sounded like it may be ready for a checkup at the dealer. But during my week the Passat performed flawlessly for me in all respects.
Almost all of my driving was within the city and my foot was a little heavier than usual. My fuel consumption was not stellar at an average of 15L/100km. Plummeting temperatures in the Ottawa valley this week — with an average of -15 — takes its toll and cannot be ignored, as even my Mazda3 was returning 12L/100km when it usually is closer to 10L/100km.
There is not a large amount of competition out there for this Passat, but there are a few vehicles I would consider if I was in the market. The Audi A4 Avant, Subaru Legacy Wagon and Volvo V50 or V70 should be considered before deciding. The Passat is an exciting drive and its German-built feeling is substantial; if you can get over the unflattering reliability history of Volkswagen in recent years, the Passat may win you over.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2007 VW Passat Wagon 3.6L 4Motion
MSRP as tested: $52,825
For more information on VW and the Passat Wagon visit VW Canada
January 31, 2007, 10:55:22 am
And nearby (just off the Lakeshore, around Cherry St), there are railway crossings that are excellent for airbourne launches...
January 31, 2007, 11:22:14 am
Well, we will have one example of a VW - in all likelihood specialy prepped - that runs well for three months. I'm sure that even the VW owners who have had horrendous reliability experiences with their vehicles can point to a few 3-month windows where all was well. I just don't really see what this can tell us about VW reliability. It's not a random sample and the test period is too short.
That said, it will be most worthwhile to get the opinion of CD staffers as to other aspects of the vehilce dynamics as they should get to know it very well in the time alotted.
Jaeger
January 31, 2007, 01:17:10 pm
Well, we will have one example of a VW - in all likelihood specialy prepped - that runs well for three months. I'm sure that even the VW owners who have had horrendous reliability experiences with their vehicles can point to a few 3-month windows where all was well. I just don't really see what this can tell us about VW reliability. It's not a random sample and the test period is too short.
That said, it will be most worthwhile to get the opinion of CD staffers as to other aspects of the vehilce dynamics as they should get to know it very well in the time alotted.
Jaeger
Anyway, I agree that a long term test of a Passat provided by VW Canada won't instantly validate VW as a producer of very reliable cars across the board -- but again, given the situation, what would you suggest VW do?
January 31, 2007, 01:44:48 pm
No, it is not 353.% more likely that a VW will break down than a Honda. You don't know the frequency distribution for the problems for the group of 100 cars. You cannot say anything about the probability just the average difference in problems per car which is 0.2254 using the European reliability survey numbers.
Man, I stay away from here for a while and this happens?!?
Both the absolute and relative comparisons of the defects are valid. The absolute numbers show that modern cars are all pretty reliable. However when people compare different cars they focus on the relative reliability. Therefore if VW has 31.44 defects per 100 cars and Honda has 8.9 defects per 100 cars, then 31.44 / 8.9 = 3.53 so the inevitable conclusions is that the average VW has 3.53 times as many problems as the average Honda. So compared to a Honda, the VW is a much worse bet reliability-wise...
January 31, 2007, 01:56:14 pm Cripes... too late.
January 31, 2007, 02:20:23 pm
Cripes, don't blame me! There was zero math in my post.
What should VW do? Build more reliable cars. Seriously. That's the only downside I see to this brand. Great designs, gorgeous interiors, excellent driving dynamics... but... well the "but" is so big it makes J-Lo's look small.
In terms of a test of reliablity, a randomly selected vehicle run for a year in the hands of an automotive journalist is a pretty tried and true method.
As I've said before - I'm not criticizing VW for their offer and indeed I do believe it reflects well on them. I just don't think the circumstances are such as to provide a meaningful illumination of the reliability question.
Jaeger
January 31, 2007, 06:01:27 pm Here are some long term VW reviews from 4 different sources.
1999 passat bought second hand and driven for 2 years with a final odo of about 54000 miles
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=44762
2005.5 Jetta 11500 miles
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=107086
Phaeton 46000 miles
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=3399&page_number=2
1999 VW Beetle 1.8T 40000mile
http://www.caranddriver.com/longroadtests/3452/volkswagen-new-beetle-gls-18t.html1
2003 Passat W8 16300 miles
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0506_2003_volkswagen_passat_w8/index.html
2004 Touareg V8
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/oneyear/112_0603lt_2004_volkswagen_touareg_v8/index.html
February 01, 2007, 10:17:35 am WOULD IT NOT be EASIER if VW (HELL NO ALL CAR CO's) WERE just HONEST about their Warranty work and problemos !!!?
CAVEAT EMPTOR.....................VOTE OFTEN.........and fer Harponi
February 02, 2007, 09:40:27 am Has anyone noticed that this Volkswagen Passat is more expensive than a very desirable Audi A4 2.0T Avant or BMW 328xi Touring? I could think of a list of cars a mile long (BMW X3 3.0i, Lexus IS250AWD, pre-owned X5, Toyota Highlander etc...) that I would pay $52k for before I bought this car. No doubt it is nicely equipped but did anyone ever really aspire to own a Phaeton? How about the Passat W8? Didn't think so. Volkswagen should stop shooting for the lux segment and re-direct that effort into finding a better name for the fantastic Rabbit (perhaps Golf? Sounds fun.)
February 02, 2007, 10:40:13 am But $52K cannot get you any "fully loaded" of the below:
A4 3.2 Avant
A6 3.2 Avant
330i wagon (N/A in N/A, lolz)
530i wagon
C350 wagon
E350 wagon
V70 (T5 only)
XC70 (T5 only)
February 02, 2007, 10:45:04 am just to be picky: I dont think there is a 330 wagon in NA, just a 325 but whatever JSCC , your point is made.
February 02, 2007, 10:50:48 am No matter how you slice it.
The VW Passat 3.6L V6 4Motions "is" the most affordable European wagon with 4wd and a V6.
If VW did bring a 2.0T 4M, it would steal a huge amount of sales from the other wagons mentioned above.
February 02, 2007, 11:05:53 am
The VW Passat 3.6L V6 4Motions "is" the most affordable European wagon with 4wd and a V6.
If VW did bring a 2.0T 4M, it would steal a huge amount of sales from the other wagons mentioned above.
Agreed... that'd be a heck of a car. Suppose less than $40k for a fairly simple 2.0T 4M passat wagon.
February 02, 2007, 11:13:29 am It would not surprise me that: if one had a 2.0t Passat wagon and an same year A4 it might be that one would find some unused bolt holes/brackets whatever on the VV that would allow the A4 power train to mount... that is if they are still identical north south etc underneath
February 02, 2007, 12:30:49 pm
Not any more.
Both 2.0T and V6 Passats are now east-west.
The VR6 is compact but not enough to go north-south AND provide sufficient room for the driver/passenger compartment.
It might be a good way to further differentiate the VW/Audi brand.
VW front wheel bias.
Audi Quattro bias.
February 02, 2007, 12:32:07 pm Not sure about the layout with 3.2L V6 Passats in Europe.
February 02, 2007, 01:12:05 pm Passat 3.6L is larger than all similar priced competitors except for the V70, which is priced similarly. The Volvo is really the only true competitor, and it'd be difficult to choose between them for me. If the new V70 is priced at the same level as before, I think I'd go for it.
February 02, 2007, 06:07:48 pm
Maybe priced the same for the T5.
But the 3.2L I6 and 3.0T will be much more expensive.
Speaking of size, the Jetta has the similar length of an A4, 3-series, and C-class.
The Passat is slightly shorter than the A6, 5-series and E-class.
February 05, 2007, 09:39:07 am JSCC:
You do have some good points about features for the money, however my experience has been that the more expensive Volkswagen models (i.e. Passat GLX, W8, 4Motion, Phaeton, etc...) all suffer massive depreciation that is not consistent with BMW, Audi, Lexus and Acura models in the near luxury class. I think this is mostly due to the fact that the expensive VW's don't sell well in North America and the reliability reputation. Therefore the cost of ownership could be the same or more with the Volkswagen even if you compared it with a more expensive luxury brand car.
Also, although I have not driven the Passat, the reviews I have read state the only sporty aspect of the car is the 'hot rod' V6 engine. If VW were to fit the 2.0T to this car we probably would lose most of the sport in 'sport wagon'.
February 05, 2007, 03:45:33 pm True, residual values on top models are not competitive against luxury brands.
The W8 Passat is like the Acura RL, like ~40% after 4 yrs.
Compared to A6, 5-series, E-class ~50%, the monthly payments can come out to be the same, even though the vehicle is more expensive.
February 08, 2007, 07:07:23 am My wife is about to buy here first car for many years. She has always liked the Passat Wagon. Soooo we went and looked at one and she decided she did NOT like it... thought it was too fiddly to fold the seats and was "too long" ( ever since she backed my GTI into a lamp post she has been "sensitive" to cars that are "too long"
February 08, 2007, 12:12:42 pm
Did we meet at the dealership?
Jetta wagon on the way, also too long?
February 08, 2007, 12:49:41 pm
Exactly. It's a midsize-to-large low-end-luxury wagon (like the Volvo), not a compact luxury wagon. Just because it's similarly price to an A4 Avant or 328xiT doesn't mean they're equivalent vehicles.
February 08, 2007, 06:45:02 pm
Did we meet at the dealership?
Jetta wagon on the way, also too long?
No, we corresponded by pm but have not met. When is the wagon arriving?
February 08, 2007, 11:51:01 pm Hopefully end of this year as a MY08 2.5/2.0T.