Although the Volkswagen Passat was introduced by the German automaker in 1973, it was initially known in North America by other names, including the Dasher and the Quantum. It wasn't until 1990 that the car was officially dubbed the Passat, which is a name derived from the German word for "trade wind." By that time, the Passat had grown from a compact into a mid-size family car, and would be offered over the following years as both a four-door sedan and a wagon.

The 1990 version of the Passat, available in a single trim level called the GL, was powered by a 2.0-liter, 134-hp 4-cylinder engine. The Passat came with a minimal list of standard features, including air conditioning, a rear-window defroster, power disc brakes, a tilt steering wheel, bucket seats, and 14-inch wheels. Options included power windows, power door locks, leather seats, a sunroof, and anti-lock brakes.

In the years that followed, the Passat would receive a number of makeovers, and would continue to be stretched and widened. Engines would also receive bumps in horsepower, and the list of standard features would continue to grow as Volkswagen borrowed elements from the Audi (which was owned by the automaker) and dropped them into the Passat.

The 2007 Volkswagen Passat has come a long way from that first model in 1973. The base engine is now a fuel-efficient 200-hp 4-cylinder, while a 3.6-liter, 280-hp V6 is also available. The list of the car's technical innovations includes electronic braking assistance, which provides acoustic signals to help you park in tight spaces, and a hydraulic brake assist system that stops the car quicker in an emergency.

Inside, the innovations are just as cool, and include an electronic parking brake operated by a button on the dash, and an integrated umbrella holder in the driver's-side door. Such options as 12-way power seats, a DVD navigation system, and a Dynaudio premium 600-watt audio system are also available, making the Passat a truly competitive and innovative mid-size family car.