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2009 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Features Review

June 25, 2009

FEATURES | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

The rear seat has excellent amenities
Detroit News

high marks for visibility
CNET

the Passat’s Dynaudio setup is terrific
Autobytel

comes with the right mix of must-haves and nice-to-haves
Automobile

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat sedan has an extremely impressive set of features and interior details, but you will pay extra for them. TheCarConnection.com’s editors agree that the Passat trumps most of the competition in terms of standard equipment.

Autobytel praises the generous list of standard equipment in the Passat, including “heated and signaling rearview mirrors, 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, an MP3 player, front-side and side-curtain airbags, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and a host of power features.” Motor Trend looks at the equipment list and concludes that, at about $26,000, the Passat costs more than some of its competitors but still ranks as a strong value. “Extra money buys a nav system, a Bluetooth phone, adaptive cruise control, a heated windshield, and swiveling bi-xenon headlamps,” says Automobile.

Nearly all reviewers cite the umbrella stowed in the door, a feature that Autobytel muses “owners in Seattle will love,” and the Detroit News mentions “a deep center console that can be heated or cooled with an air outlet.” CNET describes the trunk space as “cavernous,” and Edmunds says, “Storage also benefits from easy-to-operate 60/40-split-folding rear seats with pass-through.” Additionally, Edmunds points out the low and easy access to trunk space and “the cute little insider way of opening the trunk. (Press the VW logo.)”

Several reviews mention the plentiful storage spaces inside the Passat’s cabin, including “two flip-top compartments” that Edmunds remarks “disappear elegantly into the dash and center console.” “The rear seat has excellent amenities," says the Detroit News, “including new air vents with fan control, an ashtray, an armrest with pop-out cupholders and individual, airplane-style reading lights.”

The optional 600-watt, 10-speaker Dynaudio sound system draws comments from all reviewers. “Better than just about anything I’ve ever heard inside an automobile,” says an Autobytel reviewer. TheCarConnection.com’s editors rank the Dynaudio sound system as one of the top-sounding systems in any new car.

CNET gives its bright LCD screen of the Passat’s nav system “high marks for visibility,” and notes it was especially easy to enter locations or get directions to secondary destinations.

One area of criticism is the standard “smart key,” which Motor Trend says “is an obnoxious little rectangle that, instead of being smart enough to talk to the ignition while still in your pocket, requires insertion into a motorized slot that seems to exist only to break one day.”

Conclusion

Whether talking about the basics such as storage spaces and cargo convenience or high-tech options, the 2009 Volkswagen Passat has a lot of each, but the options don’t come cheap.

FEATURES | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:The rear seat has excellent amenitiesDetroit Newshigh marks for visibilityCNETthe Passat’s Dynaudio setup is terrificAutobytelcomes with the right mix of must-haves and nice-to-havesAutomobile The 2009 Volkswagen Passat sedan has an extremely impressive set of features and interior details, but you will pay extra for them. TheCarConnection.com’s editors agree that the Passat trumps most of the competition in terms of standard equipment. Autobytel praises the generous list of standard equipment in the Passat, including “heated and signaling rearview mirrors, 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, an MP3 player, front-side and side-curtain airbags, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and a host of power features.” Motor Trend looks at the equipment list and concludes that, at about $26,000, the Passat costs more than some of its competitors but still ranks as a strong value. “Extra money buys a nav system, a Bluetooth phone, adaptive cruise control, a heated windshield, and swiveling bi-xenon headlamps,” says Automobile. Nearly all reviewers cite the umbrella stowed in the door, a feature that Autobytel muses “owners in Seattle will love,” and the Detroit News mentions “a deep center console that can be heated or cooled with an air outlet.” CNET describes the trunk space as “cavernous,” and Edmunds says, “Storage also benefits from easy-to-operate 60/40-split-folding rear seats with pass-through.” Additionally, Edmunds points out the low and easy access to trunk space and “the cute little insider way of opening the trunk. (Press the VW logo.)” Several reviews mention the plentiful storage spaces inside the Passat’s cabin, including “two flip-top compartments” that Edmunds remarks “disappear elegantly into the dash and center console.” “The rear seat has excellent amenities," says the Detroit News, “including new air vents with fan control, an ashtray, an armrest with pop-out cupholders and individual, airplane-style reading lights.” The optional 600-watt, 10-speaker Dynaudio sound system draws comments from all reviewers. “Better than just about anything I’ve ever heard inside an automobile,” says an Autobytel reviewer. TheCarConnection.com’s editors rank the Dynaudio sound system as one of the top-sounding systems in any new car. CNET gives its bright LCD screen of the Passat’s nav system “high marks for visibility,” and notes it was especially easy to enter locations or get directions to secondary destinations. One area of criticism is the standard “smart key,” which Motor Trend says “is an obnoxious little rectangle that, instead of being smart enough to talk to the ignition while still in your pocket, requires insertion into a motorized slot that seems to exist only to break one day.” ConclusionWhether talking about the basics such as storage spaces and cargo convenience or high-tech options, the 2009 Volkswagen Passat has a lot of each, but the options don’t come cheap. 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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