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2009 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Review

June 25, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

the Passat is definitely upscale
Autobytel

clean, sleek exterior shape
Motor Trend

pleasing to the eye
Edmunds

Swiss-watch-perfect styling
Forbes.com

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat sedan isn’t going to win friends from a distance, but up close and inside it becomes quite seductive.

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. 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.”

Motor Trend appreciates the “simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competition.” 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.”

TheCarConnection.com’s editors, however, aren’t in love with the wall-of-chrome front end, the long overhangs, or the overall proportions. The Detroit News describes the fancy Passat 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.”

Other critics clearly differ on the 2009 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.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat’s proportions aren’t universally loved, but its interior finds broad acclaim from critics and reviewers.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:the Passat is definitely upscaleAutobytelclean, sleek exterior shapeMotor Trendpleasing to the eyeEdmundsSwiss-watch-perfect stylingForbes.com The 2009 Volkswagen Passat sedan isn’t going to win friends from a distance, but up close and inside it becomes quite seductive. 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. 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.” Motor Trend appreciates the “simple, orderly cabin that stands apart from some of the flashier competition.” 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.” TheCarConnection.com’s editors, however, aren’t in love with the wall-of-chrome front end, the long overhangs, or the overall proportions. The Detroit News describes the fancy Passat 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.” Other critics clearly differ on the 2009 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.” ConclusionThe 2009 Volkswagen Passat’s proportions aren’t universally loved, but its interior finds broad acclaim from critics and reviewers. 2009 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SEDAN STYLING | [7 out of 10] Autobytel: “the Passat is definitely upscale” Motor Trend: “clean, sleek exterior shape” Edmunds: “pleasing to the eye” Forbes.com: “Swiss-watch-perfect styling” The 2009 Volkswagen Passat sedan isn’t going to win friends ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

For 2009 the Passat line is cut to a single four-cylinder model, while those who want the VR6 engine will now have to go for the more expensive CC. The Toyota Camry is a best seller that in current form is still the mid-size benchmark, with a spacious interior, a soft ride, and respectable performance, but it suffers from subpar interior materials and build quality that isn’t always perfect. 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 feels quite sporty. 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.

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See the Volkswagen Passat Sedan in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. By Kiyoshi Manabe #1, Posted: 8/8/2009

    I think the current generation VW Passat is one of favourable mid-sized sedans.
    Her quality,once quite patchy,has been vastly improved to be worth while a "precious German product",and she has fabulous handling and stability. So I admire her as a "bargain BMW". Her stability is almost on the rail feeling,in my opinion.
    Along with it,there was a video in Youtube channel,about a VW Passat B6 3.2(247bhp European edition) recording 280km/h(174mph) on german Autobahn(This video is currently removed.). Discounting the speedometer error,she would reach 265-270km/h(165-170mph bracket),thus her stamina in high-speed area is almost mysterious for a 3.2-litres 247bhp engine!
    Her quoted top speed is 246km/h(153mph) and she has a speed limiter working around 250km/h(155mph). But with no limiter and modified V-max module,she has a potential of above 260km/h(162mph). It proves not only her constant engine torque but also plenty of margin for whole mechanism.
    Such immense cruising ability has been the very asset of Volkswagen's products,since the era of Beetle 1200 being able to cruise at 135-138km/h(84-85mph),despite manufacturer data of 115km/h(72mph) and only 34bhp! Along with excellent economy throughout all speed ranges,it proves magnificent mechanical precision,I believe.
    By the way,the forthcoming American successor of VW Passat would be much more American,namely more Ford Fusion than BMW. Such cheap and large sedan is on the hand of American manufacturer,so adopting such American policy will deprive the Volkswagen brand of some exclusiveness,if snobish,and image of German precision in my remark. In the long run,people really want more VW-like Passats and Jettas than Buick LaCrosse like Passats and Honda Civic like Jettas!

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