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2009 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Safety Review

June 25, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four stars, frontal; five and four stars, side
NHTSA

Good," frontal; "good," side; "marginal," rear
IIHS

standard LED taillights are also praiseworthy
CNET

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat offers a range of safety features virtually unrivalled among other mid-size sedans, along with reassuring results in the major crash-test programs.

The Detroit News reports that the optional rear side-torso airbags, a $350 option, “supplement the side air curtains by protecting the torso.” Automobile notes the extensive safety gear, including “six air bags, active front head restraints, ABS, brake assist, stability control, and traction control,” and CNET adds, “There are seven crash sensors: three internally in the air-bag control unit, two in the front doors, and two in the lower C-pillars.”

When it comes to the optional bi-xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) on CNET’s test car, the reviewer “found it very useful at night, as not only do the headlights swivel with the steering to illuminate the road ahead even around corners, but auxiliary cornering lights cover what are too often blind spots to the side with bright light in sharp turns, such as into a driveway.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat offers a generous list of standard safety features, but its crash-test results aren't at the forefront.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four stars, frontal; five and four stars, sideNHTSAGood," frontal; "good," side; "marginal," rearIIHSstandard LED taillights are also praiseworthyCNET The 2009 Volkswagen Passat offers a range of safety features virtually unrivalled among other mid-size sedans, along with reassuring results in the major crash-test programs. The Detroit News reports that the optional rear side-torso airbags, a $350 option, “supplement the side air curtains by protecting the torso.” Automobile notes the extensive safety gear, including “six air bags, active front head restraints, ABS, brake assist, stability control, and traction control,” and CNET adds, “There are seven crash sensors: three internally in the air-bag control unit, two in the front doors, and two in the lower C-pillars.” When it comes to the optional bi-xenon headlights with Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) on CNET’s test car, the reviewer “found it very useful at night, as not only do the headlights swivel with the steering to illuminate the road ahead even around corners, but auxiliary cornering lights cover what are too often blind spots to the side with bright light in sharp turns, such as into a driveway.” ConclusionThe 2009 Volkswagen Passat offers a generous list of standard safety features, but its crash-test results aren't at the forefront. 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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