| Overall Rating |
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| Description |
In assembling this review covering the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, the experts at TheCarConnection.com looked to some of the best review resources. And to help shoppers sort out how the Passat matches up against the competition, TheCarConnection.com’s editors incorporated experience driving several different models.
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| Road Test |
Volkswagen’s mid-size Passat sedan received a complete makeover for the 2006 model year, then the 2007 edition added a wagon model (which is covered in a separate review) and some new tech features, like adaptive cruise control. For 2008, the Passat sees modest changes, including simplified trim levels: Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6.
The VR6 model gets a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine and available 4Motion all-wheel drive; all the other models make do with a 200-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Most drivers will be happy with the performance from the four-cylinder engine, which delivers brisk acceleration and is very responsive with either the six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The V-6 comes only with the six-speed Tiptronic automatic and is about a second faster to 60 mph than the four-cylinder/manual transmission version of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, which gets there in about 7.6 seconds, though the fuel economy penalty is significant. Trim by trim, the base Turbo model is now the only sedan that can be outfitted with the manual gearbox.
read the full bottom line review |
| Positive Points |
- -Responsive and refined engines
- -Quiet, refined interior
- -Attractive, well-appointed interior
- -Top safety protection
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| Negative Points |
- -All-wheel drive only offered with V-6
- -Premium fuel is recommended
- -Pricey VR6 models can top $40,000
- -No Bluetooth hands-free calling interface
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