The new Passat is available as a four-door sedan and a four-door station wagon. It comes with a choice of turbocharged four-cylinder engine or V6. Two trim-levels are available, GLS and GLX. It can be ordered with or without VW's all-wheel drive system, called 4Motion. Naturally, you can't order a la carte, and the menu allows only certain substitutions. And there's a significant range in prices.
The entry level Passat is the GLS sedan powered by the VW-Audi 1.8T turbocharged four-cylinder. Listing at only $21,750, it's a well-equipped bargain. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control, rear window and side mirror defrosters and even a multi-function trip computer. The wagon version has a base price of $22,550 and has a 39 cubic foot cargo capacity.
GLS is also offered with 190-horsepower V6 with either a standard 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual shift control. The automatic is required to get VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, currently offered only with the V6. So equipped, the GLS lists for $27,075. GLX equipment listed below is available as options on GLS.
GLX trim is top of the line, with standard features including leather front and rear, wood trim, electronic climate control, Monsoon audio, heated power driver and passenger seats, a power glass sunroof, and 16-inch alloy wheels. GLX is offered only with the V6. Equipped with 4Motion all-wheel drive, the base price for the GLX is $31,575. The equivalent wagon retails for $32,375. The only options available for the GLX are the automatic transmission, no-charge metallic paint, and a dealer-installed six-disc CD changer and in-dash CD-player.