2010 Volkswagen Passat
Here is a question for you: How can the 2010 Volkswagen Passat be a more luxurious version to the popular Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry? Let that question flow through your mind for a moment, and think about how you would respond back. For one thing, the Volkswagen Passat is about as long in wheelbase as its Japanese counterparts; it also comes in a wagon form just like what Honda and Toyota had done with their Accord and Camry wagons back in the 1990s. All three cars may be different, but they still get the job done at hauling five passengers with ease, and provide a comfortable, yet pleasant ride.
Though the regular Passat may not anything like its alter-ego, the Passat CC, the exterior of the car still provides a sleek, yet aerodynamic body to increase fuel efficiency and decrease wind noise. A pair of rear LED taillights offers a bright shine to the car from behind (without blinding the driver), and the LED technology that Volkswagen uses less power for increased lifespan in the bulbs. The Passat Wagon provides an optional power lift gate operated from the key fob in case people need to load in bags of groceries, music gear, and other “precious” cargo.
The interior of the Passat is very roomy with a whole bunch of headroom and legroom in the front and rear. A 12-way power driver’s seat helps the driver drive painlessly thanks to its 4-way power lumbar support. Heated front seats are also standard, as well adjustable height adjustments. Audio controls with Bluetooth are mounted on the steering wheel, and the steering wheel itself can both telescope and tilt up and down. Perforated leatherette seating is standard on both sedan and wagon models. On the Passat Wagon, a retractable cargo cover helps keep your cargo-stored items out of sight. With the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat, 61 cubic feet of storage space is there whenever you need it.
An in-dash touchscreen monitor lets you control your iPod and Bluetooth functions with ease, and you can get the navigation system which operates on the same monitor (except there are a couple more buttons on the side) for an extra $1,200. The touchscreen itself provides an 8-speaker DynAudio system with an in-dash 6-disc CD changer that plays WMA and MP3 files, and if you get the MDI with the optional iPod cable, you are able to store 30GB of music into the hard drive. Try getting all of this equipment on a Honda Accord or a Toyota Camry.
Just like all Volkswagens with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine derived from the Volkswagen GTI like the Tiguan and the CC, the regular Passat is able to push out 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft. of torque, thanks to Volkswagen’s TSI direct-injection technology which helps the car control emissions and boost more power when needed, while increasing fuel economy. Acceleration is pretty adequate at 7 seconds; sure, the Mazda 6 can be able to say, “So long, sucker” to the German family sedan, but at least the Honda Accord with its 3.5-liter V6 will be able to catch up to the Volkswagen. German cars are known for their great brake systems, so I assume that Volkswagen has done just that, thanks to Volkswagen’s Hydraulic Brake Assist, ABS, and ventilated disc brakes on all four corners.
Besides fantastic brakes, other safety features on the Passat include dual front and side airbags, anti-slip regulation, which helps the front tires from spinning during acceleration, and electronic-brake distribution. Side curtain airbags which deploy from the A-pillar to the C-pillar down the roofline help reduce severe injuries during a side impact collision.
I have had a great time driving the 2010 Volkswagen Passat. It was a lot more than what I had expected from a family sedan, even though I do not have a family (meaning wife and kids). The ride was very smooth, and when I floor the throttle all the way down, the extra horsepower from the engine was there right when I needed it. Passing through cars on the freeway is no problem thanks to its autobahn-like handling.
