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2008 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Review

July 22, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competition
Motor Trend

Swiss-watch-perfect styling
Forbes.com

pleasing to the eye
Edmunds

Inside, the Passat 3.6L is gorgeous
Autobytel

The Volkswagen Passat is fully redesigned for the 2006 model year, and while its exterior styling and rethought proportions aren’t universally loved, its interior now finds broad acclaim from critics and reviewers.

Critics clearly differ on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat’s exterior appearance. Autobytel thinks that the Passat lacks the proper proportions, especially from the side, pointing to its “long overhangs at a time when contemporary design demands that the wheels get pushed out to the corners,” but Motor Trend positively gushes, noting the “clean, sleek exterior shape.”

Another reviewer, at the Detroit News, thinks that the Passat is simply too fancy for a Volkswagen, describing it as “laden with chrome and a too-flashy medallion-shaped grille.” However, Edmunds has positive words, noting the “shiny chrome grille and scooped headlamps,” and declaring, “From the front, the car looks aggressive, from the back it looks more like a roomy family sedan. Sounds contradictory, but it’s actually quite balanced.”

Reviewers are almost universally positive about the interior. “The analog gauges would look at home in a car costing twice as much,” declares Edmunds, “and even its 12-way leather sport seats show design influence from classic Ferraris.”

The Detroit News likes the two-tone gray-and-black interior in their test car, which “was more understated than the car's exterior, with carbon-fiber trim touches and just a bit of chrome in places like the shift lever surround.” So does Autobytel, noting the two-tone theme and real aluminum trim. “Decked out in two-tone trim separated by a generous strip of real aluminum, the Passat is definitely upscale,” the reviewer says. “The dashboard flows downward from the cowl, creating an open and airy feel to the cabin.” Motor Trend appreciates the “simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competition.”

Like many other reviewers cited here, TheCarConnection.com’s editors aren’t in love with the wall-of-chrome front end, the long overhangs, or the overall proportions, but TheCarConnection.com appreciates the understated opulence of the interior, which has a mix of surfaces and materials that are softer and more welcoming than we’ve come to expect from the German brand.

Conclusion

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat sedan isn’t going to win friends from a distance, but get up close and go inside to see if you like it.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competitionMotor TrendSwiss-watch-perfect stylingForbes.compleasing to the eyeEdmundsInside, the Passat 3.6L is gorgeousAutobytel The Volkswagen Passat is fully redesigned for the 2006 model year, and while its exterior styling and rethought proportions aren’t universally loved, its interior now finds broad acclaim from critics and reviewers. Critics clearly differ on the 2008 Volkswagen Passat’s exterior appearance. Autobytel thinks that the Passat lacks the proper proportions, especially from the side, pointing to its “long overhangs at a time when contemporary design demands that the wheels get pushed out to the corners,” but Motor Trend positively gushes, noting the “clean, sleek exterior shape.” Another reviewer, at the Detroit News, thinks that the Passat is simply too fancy for a Volkswagen, describing it as “laden with chrome and a too-flashy medallion-shaped grille.” However, Edmunds has positive words, noting the “shiny chrome grille and scooped headlamps,” and declaring, “From the front, the car looks aggressive, from the back it looks more like a roomy family sedan. Sounds contradictory, but it’s actually quite balanced.” Reviewers are almost universally positive about the interior. “The analog gauges would look at home in a car costing twice as much,” declares Edmunds, “and even its 12-way leather sport seats show design influence from classic Ferraris.” The Detroit News likes the two-tone gray-and-black interior in their test car, which “was more understated than the car's exterior, with carbon-fiber trim touches and just a bit of chrome in places like the shift lever surround.” So does Autobytel, noting the two-tone theme and real aluminum trim. “Decked out in two-tone trim separated by a generous strip of real aluminum, the Passat is definitely upscale,” the reviewer says. “The dashboard flows downward from the cowl, creating an open and airy feel to the cabin.” Motor Trend appreciates the “simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competition.” Like many other reviewers cited here, TheCarConnection.com’s editors aren’t in love with the wall-of-chrome front end, the long overhangs, or the overall proportions, but TheCarConnection.com appreciates the understated opulence of the interior, which has a mix of surfaces and materials that are softer and more welcoming than we’ve come to expect from the German brand. ConclusionThe 2008 Volkswagen Passat sedan isn’t going to win friends from a distance, but get up close and go inside to see if you like it.  2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SEDAN STYLING | [7 out of 10] Motor Trend: “simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competition” Forbes.com: “Swiss-watch-perfect styling” Edmunds: “pleasing to the eye” Autobytel: “Inside, the Passat 3.6L is gorgeous” The ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Compared to most other mid-size sedans, the 2008 Volkswagen Passat has a poise and sophistication that’s unrivalled by any of these other models, except for maybe the Accord and Malibu. The new Accord has an especially attractive interior design, while the new Malibu combines a good-looking instrument panel design and comfortable seats with one of the smoothest rides in this class. The Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima both forgo some ride comfort for sportiness; in the case of the Fusion, its interior is quite basic and road noise is higher than in most of the other models, but it’s especially fun to drive, with great steering. The Altima’s backseat is smaller than the others', and its ride a bit firmer, but it also feels quite sporty. Then there’s the Toyota Camry, the best-seller that in current form is still a mid-size benchmark, with a spacious interior, soft ride, and respectable performance. But it suffers from subpar interior materials and build quality that isn’t always perfect.

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See the Volkswagen Passat Sedan in Other Years:

2012 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

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