Volkswagen Passat (2006 - 2010) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Overall, this is more than adequate for my needs and makes the daily commute fun. It's a blast to drive on the highway and at night because of both external and internal lights. If I remember, I'll update this as my use increases and issues are encountered. Pros: User Interface: It looks great on the inside and out and has a lot of nice features which add both fun and functionality. The inside illuminates well at night and the displays are very readable. The owner's manual is pretty detailed but easy to follow, and walks you through the many useful features such as: remembering up to three driver settings that are keyed to the remote, lighting timing adjustments, lots of storage, etc. The controls are easy to use and are probably more than the average driver would make use of. Handling: It accelerates very nicely to the point you won't even feel like you're going as fast as you are so you'll have to watch your speedometer closer than normally. Braking was a little touchy at first but easy to adapt to. It's also extremely comfortable to drive in and has good leg/head space in the back, at least if you're 6' tall or shorter. It hugs the road very nicely and is very responsive to driver input. Sound: The sound system is great and I find myself having to turn down the volume most of the time, and the steering wheel controls are both convenient and safer to use than reaching down to adjust the cd manually. Cons: Handling: It can feel heavy when making turns and taking corners and can feel sluggish at low (apartment complex) speeds. Safety: Checking over your shoulder or through the rear window is hindered by the seats and it's difficult to set the side mirrors as far out to the side of the vehicle while keeping them parallel to the ground to give blind spot clearance. Interior Cleaning (speculative): I suspect that given the leather interior it would not be ideal for families with little kids as spills are bound to happen. Apr 02, 2015

Love this car. Handles great, very positive driver input. Steering is very true and positive. Seats are comfortable for long trips. Acceleration is great when the turbo kicks in. No issues passing. Drives like it's barely breathing at 75 mph all day. Great family sedan with split rear seats that fold down to provide plenty of storage space for those occasional trips to Home Depot.Nov 04, 2013

This is a great little family car for people who need more space but still want to feel and look young. Great lighting in the car -- sometimes too much light. Super pick-up and control. Lots of rear cargo space. Nice stereo system with easy buttons to operate it on the steering wheel. I have never had to spend any real money on this car. It is very, very safe. I have never driven a car for 7 years, so I guess that just about says it all!Jun 26, 2013

Great car, overall. Performance, fuel economy., reliability, good looks all the things you want in a moderately priced car. It's holding up well. I just hit 130K. The turbo really gives the car the legs it needs when it's called for. I love the manual mode shifting. Some of the features like the automatic brake hold are great when you're on a "snail trail" in Branson with the family.Dec 12, 2011

I have been driving my 2006 VW Passat for just about 6 months now, and the only way I can describe it is as the best car I have ever driven. Now, obviously this is slightly biased since I haven't driven every car in the world. That being said, I like the look of the car, the perfomance, and the overall idea of driving a Volkswagen. The car has great get up and go, I think the turbo may have something to do with that, while at the same time it doesn't guzzle gas. I think I may have gotten one of the fabled "Blue Moon" models, since I am able to get approximately 40-50 MPG on the highway, and on a good day about 30-40 on the streets. The interior is awesome, leather everywhere, heated seats, XM Radio, but I did have the problem of the labels peeling off, kind of a drag, however, the dealer fixed that. Great car, I don't think I will ever buy another car unless its a Volk/ Audi.Jun 13, 2010

The car is wonderful. The 2.0 turbo has great power for such a small powerplant in a pretty big car and if you keep your foot in check, the mileage surpasses what the estimates tell us. The trim is amazing and tight, and I have had zero problems at the 17,000 mile mark. Though I think the stock Passat is a bit boring looking in comparison to the new Toyota Camry's or Mazda 6's... Mine has a nice ground effects kit that makes it look like a Ferrari in comparison. No regrets whatsoever... Dec 23, 2009

Never knew how much a value-for-money proposition a German car could be. The 1.8T cost about the same as a Japanese Executive sedan, but with all the fancy gadgets and functions of a much more expensive German Saloon. Nothing to look at, but it is wonderful to be within. Soft touch materials abound, with a perfectly pleasant alcantara sports seat with electronic 12-way seat + 4 way lumbar adjustment for both front seats (3 memory settings for the driver's seat), automatic tilt down passenger mirror for parking, seats and mirror adjustments are tied in to the individual drivers' key fobs, which is also part of the keyless entry "kessy" start/stop engine ignition system. The electric auto dimming mirrors, electric rear window shade, electric parking brake, auto-hold brakes (no need to keep the brakes depressed at traffic lights) all make for a very pleasant affair. The 10 airbags, ABS, EBD, Traction and Stability Control, as well as the anti-whiplash head restraints, keep all occupants in a cocoon of safetiness. The auto-headlights, wipers, and intuitive controls all make it a better place for the driver who only has to concentrate on the traffic. And with digital radio as standard, the 6-cd in-dash MP3 player with 8 speakers definitely make it a wonderful place to relax as well. Illumintated vanity mirrors (for both the driver and the passanger), illuminated legwells, LED rear lights, adjustable headlamps and dashboard lights are something I did not expect.... Loads of interior space (one of the largest in this class), and a huge boot compliment an already very desirable car. And the VW Singapore experience is definitely second-to-none in the car industry here. I walked into the showroom to scratch a car off my list.... and ended up buying a car I never really considered in the first place.Apr 06, 2008

My third Passat. Others...2001...2004 and now 2008..This one is the best.. From the heated front seats to the improved power band given by the 2.0 litre engine. I went with the 6 speed auto. New color...Moca brown... almost black.. So the base turbo model... is just about the perfect sedan...abs... stability control... airbags...all I need now are my trusted dunlop m3 tires..Thanks VW and to Palisades VW, NY.Feb 22, 2008