| While negotiating the auto route and back | | | | independent suspension and a sports package |
| roads of France during the month of July for | | | | option featuring 18-inch wheels.As such, the |
| the past several years, no vehicle has | | | | vehicle has an impressive grip on the road |
| appeared more confident on the road than the | | | | during as well as impressive acceleration and |
| Volkswagen Passat.The European version looked | | | | power. The manufacturer says the vehicle |
| different than the U.S. models I'd seen, but | | | | performs the standard 0-60 mph test in 6.2 |
| the Passats scooting down the highway and | | | | seconds, which is slightly faster than the |
| being adeptly driven through city traffic | | | | front-wheel drive version.The Passat is more |
| never got close enough for me to get a better | | | | than adequately comfortable, with its leather |
| look.The newly designed 2006 Passat available | | | | seats firm and conforming. A leather shift |
| in the United States, however, looks more | | | | knob and leather-covered steering wheel are |
| like the European version. And after a weekly | | | | also part of the $3,000 sports package option |
| test drive of the 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower, | | | | that also includes 12-way power front seats, |
| V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, | | | | steering wheel radio controls, automatic |
| it was easy to understand why the vehicle is | | | | headlights, foglights, automatic climate |
| so popular in Europe.From a design | | | | controls, rain-sensing wipers, navigation |
| perspective, the new Passat offers more room | | | | system and satellite radio. The 3.6-liter |
| nearly everywhere -- it's three inches longer | | | | Passat version also includes a power sunroof, |
| and wider, and the cabin is substantially | | | | AM/FM radio with in-dash, six-disc CD/MP3 |
| more spacious with 2.4 inches of rearseat | | | | changer.The Passat's one overt shortcoming is |
| legroom. The rear storage area is slightly | | | | that it's not particularly quiet. Road noise |
| smaller than previous editions at 14.2 cubic | | | | isn't the issue, rather the engine growls |
| feet. But there's more usable area, thanks to | | | | heavily during acceleration.As a midsize |
| the newly designed and more compact rear | | | | vehicle, the Passat is a more expensive |
| suspension.My test vehicle's exterior color, | | | | choice than its primary competitors, the |
| a rich dark blue, was nicely matched with a | | | | Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. But the Passat |
| two-tone black and tan interior. The | | | | has been a reviewers' favorite for several |
| combination of new design and superior color | | | | years, and it's hard to argue the succinct |
| coordination prompted a fair share of | | | | summation of Edmunds.com:"With its |
| complimentary looks and comments from | | | | fun-to-drive character, premium interior |
| passersby.The interior redesign also features | | | | furnishings and wide range of features, the |
| some clever innovations. The Passat no longer | | | | Passat is one of our favorite midsize sedans |
| has an ignition switch; Instead, a key fob is | | | | and wagons. Don't buy your next family car |
| inserted flush into a dashboard slot.Further, | | | | without driving one of these first."The |
| the Passat has double front-window visors, an | | | | Weekly Driver: 2006 Volkswagen PassatSafety |
| umbrella holder in the driver door and an | | | | Features -- Dual front, side and side curtain |
| automatic hatchback operating system. The | | | | airbags.Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 19 mpg |
| hatchback opens via the key fob and it closes | | | | (city), 28 mpg (highway).Warranty -- Bumper |
| via a push button inside the hatchback | | | | to bumper, 4 years/50,00 miles; Powertrain, 5 |
| hood.These nice features aside, driving the | | | | years/60,000 miles, Corrosion, 12 years |
| Passat is even more impressive. My test | | | | unlimited miles; Roadside Assistance, 4 years |
| vehicle included Volkswagen's all-wheel drive | | | | 50,000 miles; Free scheduled maintenance, 2 |
| feature called 4Motion, a new fully | | | | years/24,000 miles.Base price -- $31,900. |