CD Article: 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon 3.6 4Motion

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:

Roomier and more powerful than the previous-generation Passat, the redesigned 2007 Passat Wagon 3.6 4Motion comes with a 280-hp 3.6-litre V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.  Editor Greg Wilson liked its power, comfort and cargo-carrying utility, but found it "less nimble" than before, "quite expensive," and lamented the fact that all-wheel drive is not offered with the base four-cylinder engine.    More...

[Wolfe]

It's a rather handsome wagon from most angles. I think the chrome grille looks very nice on this car.

It's hard to see where this one fits in the market. Fully loaded it's almost as expensive as the Audi, BMW, and Volvo wagons but lacks the premium brand cachet. The base models make much more sense but the Subaru Legacy is tough to beat in that segment. Also AWD is standard on the Legacy and not available on the Passat with the 2.0T.

[Benhaze]

Though many North American Customers are concerned with Power -And I admit I'm one of them...-, it is a shame VW isn't offering the 2.0L engine on the wagon. That engine has enough torque to propel this wagon at a much more reasonable cost than with the V6, though VW is the guilty in the first place for charging such a premium for it. Or should I say guilty of dreaming competing with the top luxury brands, including one of its own...

Vehicle is full of amenities but the lack of powerpoint in the center console is a serious (and surprising) shortcoming. The comments about the handling are a little disheartening.

I would find this car very interesting... if it would be $10,000 cheaper... But for someone convinced VW is competitive with the Audis and BMs, it  is likely a good buy. I personally also think the Legacy turbo AWD is a better value.

[G0dspd]

A little too whale-ish for my taste but it's not bad for a wagon.  It as a nice a interior and lots of safety features but as usual the "middle of the road" Passat (not with MB/Audi/BMW) is a bit expensive.  It's a very nice show piece but I think that most of the sales will go to the 2.0T and the non-4motion V6.

[airbalancer]

If you are over 6ft can you find a driving position when the seats are folded flat?
I believe this is a car to see in person to get a feel for it

[quadzilla]

With options = $56,075   

"For carrying cargo, the split rear seatbacks fold down flat to form a flat cargo floor, but it's a three-step process. First you must pull up the rear seat cushion, and flip it up against the front seatbacks. Then you must remove the rear head restraints and place them in the holes provided for them on the top of the seat cushions. Then you release the seatbacks and pull them straight down. I kept thinking there must be an easier way."

Yes there is and they should look to the Mazda 6-Wagon for this.  One pull on a lever in the trunk and the seats fold flat.  Very simple.

I would like to see VW have a 2.0T 4-Motion available with Dynaudio.  Then we can talk.

[Howswedeitis]

VW has got to be kidding! Have they not learnt their lesson with the Phaeton fiasco?
For 47 K you get 'dumpy' styling and the pleasure of visiting your local VW dealer
on a VERY regular basis. For that kind of money there are much better alternatives
which will ensure this car will not sell more than a few hundred examples in Canada
a year.

[a4_tom]

Without a doubt, 2.0T Base wagon is the best buy.

[jww]

It's not bad looking, but for the $$ I'd go with a loaded Mazda 6 wagon and buy some new camping equipment with the cash.

[Shnak]

Say what you want about the price, but there isn't anything else out there that offers the same level of comfort, refinement, performance, safety, features for this price. Sure you can get a BMW touring or Audi Avant... but at this price, they won't be near this Passat in terms of features and performance. A6 Avant (with only a 3.2L) starts at $66k while the much smaller A4 Avant (3.2L) starts at $49k. BMW 530xi starts at $73k, and that's a 3.0L engine with 'only' 255hp... the 325xi starts at $44k, with only a 2.5L 210hp engine...

The fact is, you simply can't find a better wagon than this Passat for this price.

[mrthompson]

...if only Kia made a Passat wagon competitor.   

[Wolfe]

  Poor Shnak would have to choose between the cult of VW and his newfound love of all things Korean.

[Howswedeitis]

Say what you want about the price, but there isn't anything else out there that offers the same level of comfort, refinement, performance, safety, features for this price. Sure you can get a BMW touring or Audi Avant... but at this price, they won't be near this Passat in terms of features and performance. A6 Avant (with only a 3.2L) starts at $66k while the much smaller A4 Avant (3.2L) starts at $49k. BMW 530xi starts at $73k, and that's a 3.0L engine with 'only' 255hp... the 325xi starts at $44k, with only a 2.5L 210hp engine...

The fact is, you simply can't find a better wagon than this Passat for this price.

I'd argue that the Volvo V70 AWD is a better choice...sure it doesn't have a V6 but the 5cl turbo
motor is bullet proof and proven. At least with the Volvo you'd spend more time on the road
than at the dealerships' service department which is a claim I'm affraid anyone buying the VW will
be able to make.

[Shnak]

I don't believe Volvos are any more reliable than VWs are. Maybe a tiny bit better, but Volvos certainly aren't Lexus's...

And the 2.5T only develops a 208hp, hardly comparable to the Passat's 280hp engine. Even the T5 which starts at $50k only develops 257hp.

[mdxtasy]

It's not just HP numbers on paper that matter.  HP, torque curve, weight, gearing.....

The VW is nice but pretty expensive.  You do get a lot, but you also are paying $50K for a VW.  That stigma doesn't go away overnight.  Phaeton....gone.  Toureg...price lowered to compete.  VW offers Rabbit at bargain price?  Good move. 

[JSCC]

Passat 2.0T "is" available in Canada with both 6MT and 6AT.
Only thing is, it is not offered with 4Motion, which I think is wrong.

If Canada gets Passat 2.0T 4Motion 6MT/6AT we would steal a lot of Subaru sales.

V6 sales isn't that good compared to the 2.0T no matter in sedan/wagon.

[mdxtasy]

If Canada gets Passat 2.0T 4Motion 6MT/6AT we would steal a lot of Subaru sales.

I think that's a fair statement.  Bring it down to ~$30K and it might be a seller.

[inco]

I think that's a fair statement.  Bring it down to ~$30K and it might be a seller.

But it would be a dog. That little 2.0 is a great engine but with 4motion added, the weight would turn it into a slug. It needs the V6.

Still at over $56,000 for a loaded up wagon there are just so many others around. Three years ago mine was $43 and 4motion topped out a little more than $45. That's a big increase for a motor and different style.

[mdxtasy]

But it would be a dog. That little 2.0 is a great engine but with 4motion added, the weight would turn it into a slug. It needs the V6.

Still at over $56,000 for a loaded up wagon there are just so many others around. Three years ago mine was $43 and 4motion topped out a little more than $45. That's a big increase for a motor and different style.

It may be the fat dog with 3 legs.  Offer it up at ~$30K and FWD might be the ticket for volume sales.  Not EVERYBODY needs 4motion.

[Shnak]

It's not just HP numbers on paper that matter.  HP, torque curve, weight, gearing.....

The VW is nice but pretty expensive.  You do get a lot, but you also are paying $50K for a VW.  That stigma doesn't go away overnight.  Phaeton....gone.  Toureg...price lowered to compete.  VW offers Rabbit at bargain price?  Good move. 

Unless I'm mistaking, the Phaeton is still for sale in other markets.

And the Rabbit is a great deal, yes, but there was a Golf CL that sold for around $18k not that long ago... so it's not like VW suddenly decided to lower the prices of the Rabbit... they've always been low!

And sure, $50K for a VW is pretty steep... but IMO, $50K for a VW makes a lot more sense than $60k for a fancy Pilot or $70k+ for a fancy Accord...