VW Passat: My Take
Mike Hanley recently posted his review of the new 2007 Volkswagen Passat wagon, and it sounds like quite a nice family-mover. I didn’t get a chance to drive the wagon, but I did spend some seat time in the 2006 sedan when it was introduced last year.
Like the wagon, the Passat sedan felt very upscale, but the way it was loaded with features put the sticker near $40,000. That’s BMW territory. But with the Passat you’re still getting more room than the similarly priced 3 Series offers. My only problem with the entire experience was the braking. Normally a VW has grippy brakes that respond instantly, but my tester’s stopping felt mushy. At the time I was willing to chalk it up to abusive driving by previous auto journalists who had tested the car before me. Mike thought the disc brakes were “strong,” so we’ll go with past experience and his opinion.
I would definitely opt for the wagon and agree with Mike that its looks seal the deal. I’d also take the Passat over the Saab 9-5 SportCombi wagon I recently tested. But for value and performance there’s also the recently redesigned Subaru Outback and Mazda6 wagons to consider. I think the wagon as a body style is an excellent alternative for former SUV owners, plus it doesn’t hurt that there are a ton of good-looking ones now on the market.
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I'm with Dave on the issue of the brakes. VW/Audi have followed in Mercedes' footsteps by employing electro-hydraulic brakes in the Passat and A6. (Mercedes' SL-Class, E-Class and SLR McLaren are among the models that have included this "by-wire" braking.) By-wire technology might have a place in the future, but so far it often comes with drawbacks for the driving experience -- and nowhere as consequential as in the brakes. To be clear, these brakes may do a great job at stopping the car, and they also do some neat things like keep the discs dry when driving in rain, as Mike mentions. The problem is a reprehensible lack of resolution, of fine control over the amount of braking applied. Audi's system was better than Mercedes', but still not good. I'll be driving a Passat wagon next week, and I'll report any findings then.
help! I have a 2005 4-motion passat wagon, I need a hitch to pull my sun fish sailboat. Draw- tite says they don't have a hitch to fit this car. does any one know who makes a hitch for this car.