2008 Volkswagen Passat Sedan

Driver-Friendly Family Car

The Volkswagen Passat Sedan is sportier and more handsome than most family-minded competitors.

The Volkswagen Passat Sedan is one of the sportier choices among premium mid-range cars. The Passat Sedan emphasizes precise ride and handling characteristics, thanks to a sport-tuned, four-wheel independent suspension with electro-mechanical power steering.

The present Passat Sedan is larger in nearly every dimension than the car it replaced.

Styling is handsome inside and out. A station wagon version was added to the Volkswagen Passat lineup as a 2007 model. (See a separate review of the wagon here.)

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The Volkswagen Passat Sedan comes in Base and 2.0T versions, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine that delivers acceptable acceleration and impressive fuel economy. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. A six-speed automatic that features Tiptronic manual shift capability is optional.

While the 2.0-liter turbo is arguably the automaker’s best all-around engine in terms of bang for the buck it doesn’t feel as powerful in the Volkswagen Passat Sedan as it does in smaller models like the VW GTi and the Audi A3. Those seeking more muscle can choose a Volkswagen Passat 3.6 Sedan, which comes with a 3.6-liter V6. While this engine can only be paired with the automatic gearbox, it can be ordered with the automaker’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system for added road-holding abilities in wet or dry conditions.

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A range of advanced systems are standard for added control over a wide range of conditions and handling situations. These include four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Locking, and VW’s Electronic Stabilization Program. What’s more, the Volkswagen Passat Sedan offers eight airbags, along with active head restraints to help reduce whiplash injuries; rear side-thorax airbags are optional.

Volkswagen Passat Sedan Vehicle Summary

Exterior styling for the Volkswagen Passat Sedan is smooth, sleek, and uncluttered, capped with VW’s signature two-piece front grille. The interior is well finished in quality materials, and it offers ample accommodations for five adults. Rear-seat legroom grew by 2.4 inches with the last redesign. The rear seat in the Volkswagen Passat Sedan features separate climate-control vents, 60/40-split folding seat backs to expand the already spacious trunk, and a folding center armrest with a pass-through feature for transporting skis or other long and narrow objects.

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The Volkswagen Passat Sedan offers a few noteworthy options, including adaptive headlamps that illuminate the road through curves at night. Also available is a premium sound system from the Danish company Dynaudio, which is custom designed for the Passat Sedan. Those particular options are only available with high-priced option packages.