We all know about German sport sedans. They are speedy beasts, qualified to occupy the fast lane on those few stretches of German Autobahn where unlimited speeds are still possible. They deal with corners gracefully, can stop on the proverbial pfennig and are spacious and comfortable inside. Traditionally, they are built by Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi.
Volkswagen would like to offer you those same attributes. They come in slightly scaled-down form in the Volkswagen Passat. The Passat may offer a little less speed and a minimal decrease in amenities, but these seem small sacrifices when accompanied by its significant drop in price.
The Passat set new standards for its class when it was introduced as a completely redesigned car last year. The reason is simple: Most of the hardware that really matters was borrowed from the superb Audi A4, the leading entry in a slightly more expensive category.
Overall, the Passat is an attractive alternative to the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Nissan Maxima.