Passat Inside Line Test: Volkswagen Passat 3.6 lt.

[Yperion]

From the review:

Worth the money in the turns
Whatever couple tenths the Camry has over the Passat in acceleration is made up for by the Volkswagen's sharper, livelier handling. Between the wider tires that come standard and the tightened-up suspension that's part of the sport package, the 3.6 weaved through the slalom more than 3 mph faster than the Camry and 1.3 mph faster than the 2.0T.

We were surprised by how well the electromechanical steering varies between a solid on-center feel at speed and one-finger maneuverability in parking lots. Standard electronic stability control keeps the Passat pointed in the right direction when it's on and even with it off you get nothing but easily manageable understeer.

Premium enough
If you're still choking at the thought of paying nearly $37K for a Passat, take a look at the interior. It's as nice as any equivalently priced BMW or Infiniti. Ordering the $3,050 sport package adds sharp-looking metallic trim that's tastefully applied and laser straight. The analog gauges would look at home in a car costing twice as much and even its 12-way leather sport seats show design influence from classic Ferraris.

Full Test

 

[Andaluz]

I really like the new Passat. I recently drove a black Passat Sport 2.0T with 6-speed manual and I loved it. The car looks much better than the pics suggests. And it is quite fun to drive.

Europe is only restricted to the Passat equipped with the Audi FSI 3.2 V6 255 Bhp engine. Oddly enough, America gets a bigger and 25 Bhp more powerful 3.6 VR6.

Does the 3.6 VR6 also feature FSI Direct Injection? Is it a bigger variant from the 3.2 V6? Why Volkswagen decided to make a 3.6 VR6 for Americans?

 

[dOmInIX]

I hate the fact that the strongest model looks just like 1.6 or something like that. It's really stupid from VW, I can'tt undesrstand it.

 

[Mr. M]

I hate the fact that the strongest model looks just like 1.6 or something like that. It's really stupid from VW, I can'tt undesrstand it.

What do you mean? Like how a S350 and a S550 would be indiscernable from each other?

 

[Yperion]

Europe is only restricted to the Passat equipped with the Audi FSI 3.2 V6 255 Bhp engine. Oddly enough, America gets a bigger and 25 Bhp more powerful 3.6 VR6.

Audi's 3.2 lt V6 is a new engine and is not used in European Passat. Passat uses the older 3.2 lt VR6 (narrow angle V6) which is completely different apart from the similar volume.

The 3.6 lt VR6 engine is the replacement of the 3.2 lt VR6 and uses FSI.

 

[dOmInIX]

What do you mean? Like how a S350 and a S550 would be indiscernable from each other?

I said that refering to Passat. S-Class is another thing.
You see, everything on the 3.6 Passat (exterior: fenders, wheels, exhaust)...In my opinion, it's a bad thing. Every car in that class has a sportier look than weaker models of the same car (Accord Type-S, Octavia RS, 330i...) but not Passat.

 

[Mr. M]

I said that refering to Passat. S-Class is another thing.
You see, everything on the 3.6 Passat (exterior: fenders, wheels, exhaust)...In my opinion, it's a bad thing. Every car in that class has a sportier look than weaker models of the same car (Accord Type-S, Octavia RS, 330i...) but not Passat.

Well, I think VW has every reason to do that. The 3.6 Passat isn't a sports version of the Passat; it's just the flagship of the entire range. If you're looking for exterior tweaks, you should look at this instead:

But I do agree, the 3.6L does deserve minor visual upgrades. However VW is always very stingy about these things; their conservatist attitude seldom falters.

 

[Yperion]

While i was at the local VW/Audi dealer the other day i got the chance to see delivery of a dark blue 2.0 FSI Passat with an interior similar to the one in the pics. The only difference was that it had light colored wood trim instead of aluminium one. I even got the chance to sit in the car along with the owner.
The interior in the combination i saw was really nice , the car also had many extra features like Sat/Nav , electric rear curtains ect. and the price was only 33k euro. I say only cause to buy a similarly equiped BMW 320i (with the 2.0 lt engine) you need nearly 40k here in Greece.

 

[Mr. M]

Audi's 3.2 lt V6 is a new engine and is not used in European Passat. Passat uses the older 3.2 lt VR6 (narrow angle V6) which is completely different apart from the similar volume.

The 3.6 lt VR6 engine is the replacement of the 3.2 lt VR6 and uses FSI.

Aww man, a car deserving of this new 3.6 VR6 is the Phaeton. It seriously slugs under the old 3.2.