VW dubbed the Passat "The Space Machine" when it was first released several years ago, and the revised wagon wears the title well. Its 34.2 cu. ft. of normal cargo space increases to a yawning 68.9 cu. ft. with the rear seatback folded flat, and, like its competition, it's possible to fold just part of the seat to accommodate both a rear passenger and cargo. The Passat offers 99 cu. ft. of passenger space, more than an Accord, and overall leg-room is more abundant than in the Accord and Camry.
Once accused of designing cockpits with all the warmth of day-old bratwurst, VW has responded with new interior fabrics, color-coordinated trim and plastic trim described as having a "luxury feel," newly designed door panels and handles, switches and ventilation controls, and, yes, dual folding cupholders. The instrument panel is easy to read yet full of information. A minor glitch is that the digital clock fades to almost invisibile when sunlight hits it.
Another issue is the lack of a proper glove compartment. The passenger's airbag uses up that space, and VW's solution is a lockable bin between the front seats. It's none too large and the lock appears as though it would yield to a hefty screwdriver without much struggle.
The front seating is adjust-able for height, recline, and thigh and lumbar support, and its supportive bolsters and stiff cushions reflect VW's philosophy that a car must provide a dynamic experience for ultimate enjoyment and safety. The driving position is up-right, making for a generous, unhampered view, and the various instruments are no more than a handsbreadth away from the steering wheel. Adjustable for height only, the leather-wrapped wheel nonetheless feels properly placed, adding to the overall feel of command.
VW has long been a promoter of active safety, and it has also caught up to the industry leaders in passive safety components with the addition this year of emergency tensioning front safety-belt retractors. In the event of a head-on collision, a pyrotechnic device ignites and pulls all belts tight within 12 milliseconds, optimizing the belts' position against the body and reducing in-juries caused by loose fits.
Earlier, when we said the Passat drove like a family sedan, we should have made that family sports sedan. Volkswagen's hearty 2.8-liter V6 has earned accolades by combining a fistful of engine torque for sprinter's acceleration away from the stoplight, and a willingness to run long distances at interstate speeds without pausing for breath. Its German heritage is a virtual guarantee of high-speed stability. A car designed to run at 90 mph all day has little problem with America's relatively modest highway pace.
But there's more to this new Passat than generous power. Overall body stiffness has been increased by 15 percent, and VW's special Plus Axle sport-tuned suspension delivers a more stable platform to better handle rigorous road maneuvers. Four-wheel independent suspension, terrific power disc brakes, stabilizer bars in front and rear, and special track-correcting bushings makes Fahrvergnugen - German for driving pleasure - more than a marketing slogan.
We preferred the standard 5-speed transmission. It doesn't have quite the velvet-smooth operation of a Honda transmission, but it coaxes more muscle from the V6 rated at 172 hp. Of course, sporty driving comes at a cost: The EPA ratings of 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway aren't great, but the 18.5 gallon fuel tank means a maximum driving range of more than 450 miles.