Volkswagen Passat is available as a four-door sedan and a station wagon. Prices range from $21,750 to $38,700. Three engines are available: the turbocharged four-cylinder 1.8 T, the 2.8-liter V6, and the innovative W8. Passat is available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
GL sedan ($21,750) and wagon ($22,550) are well-equipped bargains. Powered by the 1.8-liter turbocharged inline-four shared by Volkswagen and Audi, the GL models come standard with air conditioning, cruise control, rear window and side mirror defrosters and a multi-function trip computer. A five-speed manual transmission is standard; a five-speed automatic with Tiptronic control is optional ($1,075).
GLS 1.8 T sedan ($22,885) and wagon ($23,685) add fog lamps, 15-inch alloy wheels and a power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof. GLS models also offer a few options not available on the GL, such as a Homelink garage-door transmitter ($130), and a leather upholstery package ($1,615) that includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.
GLS V6 sedan ($25,385) and wagon ($26,185) get the 2.8-liter V6 rated 190 horsepower. They come with five-speed manual or the optional Tiptronic automatic. V6 models come with real wood trim.
GLX sedan ($28,750) and wagon ($29,550) add leather upholstery, electronic climate control, Monsoon audio, heated and powered driver and passenger seats with memory, heated washer nozzles, rain-sensor automatic wipers, power flush-folding side mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55HR16 all-season tires. Five-speed manual gearbox is standard, Tiptronic automatic is optional ($1,075). GLX buyers can also choose Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive ($1,750), but only with the automatic transmission.
W8 sedan ($37,900) and wagon ($38,700) come with the 4.0-liter eight-cylinder engine rated 270 hp and virtually all amenities. Tiptronic automatic and 4Motion all-wheel drive are standard. An Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) is standard. W8 also adds 215/55HR16 tires, a more comprehensive trip computer, and a self-dimming rearview mirror as standard equipment. More lavish interior brightwork, special grille badges and four chrome-tipped tail pipes help the W8 stand out. Rear brake discs are vented rather than solid. An optional Sport Package ($1500) includes firmer shocks and springs and 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45HR17 tires.
Major options include a Cold Weather Package ($325) that includes heated seats and washer nozzles to Passat GL and GLS. An upgraded Monsoon audio system is available ($325). ESP ($280) is available for all models.
Passat is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that includes wear-and-tear items and adjustments for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles. The powertrain warranty was reduced last year to five years/60,000 miles, but is now fully transferable. Passat owners are also covered by a four-year/50,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance program.