Volkswagen's 2000 Passat Wagon is one of the most impressive wagons we have driven ... period. Its 2.8L, 30-valve V6 is quiet, powerful and smooth in all ranges. From the minute you sit in this package (the same platform as the Audi A4), you know this is one well-engineered vehicle; being on the road confirms it.
We tested the All-Wheel-Drive model with four-wheel ABS. A five-speed automatic with Tiptronic - don't see the appeal of 'shifting' an automatic, but to each their own - was what we had to work with. But it was smooth and about as good as an automatic can get: no hunting, no clunking, no hesitating. It also has a built-in mechanism to prevent 'hunting' when climbing hills, even in standard drive setting, and it worked well. Manual transmissions are available, too.
The 190 horses were more than adequate for quick starts and evasive maneuvers. Dual overhead cams, variable intake timing and a variable geometry composite intake manifold make power available at all rpm levels. And the comfort features in this version were many: Heated leather seats are available, as is an electric sunroof. Standard in the GLX and optional in the GLS is the Monsoon Audio System, a very adequate music machine with six-CD changer in the trunk, eight speakers and 200 watts of power. Better than average legroom in the back seat is another appealing feature of the Passat Wagon. Split back seats, a cargo cover and a well-engineered cargo bay space at the rear add to the practicality of the car. And it comes with a full-size spare.
The handling was excellent, thanks to power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes (ventilated in front) with ABS. This advanced ABS allows for standard traction control by way of electronic differential locking (EDL) and VW's anti-slip reduction system (ASR), a new standard feature on all Passat models. We tested it on wet roads, and it inspired confidence every time.
Interestingly, a unique feature is a front suspension system with a four-link design. It creates a virtual center steering axis in which the wheels are steered directly from their center points, rather than at the end of lever arms. The design is meant to eliminate torque steer, and it delivers.
Speaking of handling, one of the first things we noticed on off-ramps was that the Passat remains level, even when you push it around curves. There was little pulling to the outside of the ramp.
All the standard safety features are there: adjustable shoulder harnesses, airbags, side impact protection and more. We're told the 2001 model also offers side curtain protection.
Negatives? The climate control system is not quite there. It's supposed to be 'set-it-and-forget-it,' but I found myself having to adjust it fairly often. Also, most all of the controls on the dash are the flat, touch control type, so for older drivers, this could make tuning the radio and making other adjustments difficult, particularly at night. However, the dash lighting is a virtual light show that shouldn't be missed. Very cool.
The Germans, though, are still avoiding the cupholder issue. There really is none, other than one of those rectangular spaces in the armrest that is an invitation to dumping liquids on yourself or the car. Apparently, the carmaker doesn't think you should be drinking anything at 130 mph on the Autobahn, and they are absolutely right about that. The only problem is, we're more used to going 10 mph in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and we need something to keep us busy.
If you don't like too many automatic gadgets, you may object to the door locks automatically locking as you take off. It's a matter of taste, but it can be inconvenient in some instances.
The loaded version we drove comes in at about $30,000. For the power, refinement and comfort this model offers, that price doesn't seem out of line. Compare it to a few other wagons out there, and then make up your mind.
But if you are in the market for a wagon, or if one of your customers is, tell them not to miss this one. It should have a pedigree ... of course, the maker would say it already does.
