2008 New Volkswagen Passat Review
Introduced in 1973, the Volkswagen Passat has not only established itself as a market leader in the family car market, but also in the executive saloon market as well. The latest new generation Volkswagen Passat was released in mid 2005 and has already achieved a great deal of success in both markets. Supplied with Tdi diesel engines and Fsi petrol engines (the Fsi petrol engine is up to 15% more efficient than conventional petrol engines) the Volkswagen Passat is not only economical, but with an excellent five star Euro ncap rating its safety for the driver and passengers is second to none and on top of that it scooped the What car family car of the year award 2006.
Entry level on the Volkswagen Passat is the S model with 16" Milwaukee alloy wheels, semi automatic climatic air conditioning, multifunction computer, electronic parking brake, single radio/CD player and six airbags all as standard. With a choice of petrol or diesel engines, manual, automatic and direct shift gearboxes (DSG), the Passat S is a great place to start.
The SE is the next level up in the Volkswagen Passat model range, 16" Catalunya alloy's, cruise control, electric windows in the rear, chrome surrounds on the side windows, comfort seats with a six way adjustable electric driver's seat and leather steering wheel and gear knob all standard on this model.
Above the SE model is the Passat Sport, standard features on this model are 17" Monte Carlo alloy wheels, electronic stabilisation programme (ESP), 2Zone electronic climate control air conditioning system, front sport seats with six way adjustable electric driver's seat, sports suspension and front fog lights.
The Volkswagen Passat SEL is the final offering in the range, sitting on 16" Adelaide alloys with electronic stabilisation programme (ESP), Alcantara leather upholstery, 2Zone electronic climate control air conditioning system, Radio with dash mounted 6 CD autochanger including 8 speakers and heated front seats are all standard on this model.
Add to some models the direct shift gearbox (DSG) and you have a transmission that not only gives some of the fastest gear changes in the sportier models, but combined with the diesel engine also produces lower revs and therefore saves fuel and gives out less harmful emissions and with the 3.2 V6 you also benefit from VW's four wheel drive system, 4Motion.
For the business driver or the family that needs a lot more storage space the Volkswagen Passat Estate is the answer, with all the refinements of the saloon but with a luggage compartment volume of 603 litres (when loaded to the luggage compartment cover), 1731 litres when used fully (including spare wheel well) and the ability to haul up to 638 kilograms the Volkswagen Passat Estate comes in to its own when you need that little bit more space.
Like the looks of the Volkswagen Passat, why not check out, the Citroen C5, the Peugeot 407, the Volvo S60, the Mazda 6, the Audi A4, the Toyota Avensis, the Renault Laguna or the new Ford Mondeo.
Finance your new Volkswagen Passat on a PCP car loan work out your monthly payments using our Car Finance Payment Calculator.
