The Passat Wagon, like the sedan, comes in four trim levels: Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. The wagon is available in both front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive (VR6 models have standard 4Motion). I have driven both variations, and living in the Midwest with all things being equal (which they of course are not), I have to insist on the 4Motion given the sure-footed traction in winter.
I really like the streamlined European look of the Passat Wagon. Featuring front-to-back roof rails, this design cue further enhances the profile's soft, flowing lines. My Passat Wagon tester was a Deep Black hue that exuded rich, classic style. Always a great looking wagon, the Passat is as strong on handling and comfort as it is on classic style. Big 17-inch alloy rims offered a stark statement against the black exterior color and that traditional black theme moved easily into the leather interior.
Once inside the cabin of the Passat Wagon Komfort, you will immediately be struck by the excellent fit and finish. You will find standards such as a telescoping steering wheel, sunroof, power driver seat, CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack, cruise control, heated outside mirrors, and rear-seat sunshades that are a nice convenience.
Room inside the cabin is plentiful. Don't expect to get three adults comfortably into the back seat, but two adults and a child have plenty of room. There is 35.8 cubic-feet of cargo space with the second-row in the up position. Wagons provide ample glass surround and driver sightlines are excellent in the Passat. Road noise is louder than I would have anticipated, but my solution is to turn up the radio.
I found dials and gauges to be easily viewed day and night. The telescoping steering wheel and power seat adjustments meant no matter what position, I could re-adjust to clearly view the dash. The start/stop function is handled by inserting the key fob into a slot next to a "Start" button. Insert the fob and press the button to start the engine; press the button again to stop it.
The Komfort models are equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine (200 horsepower). A six-speed automatic transmission is standard on the Komfort. I found the 2.0-liter turbo to be a nice mate, no matter how heavy the load, to the six-speed automatic. Fuel economy is average for the Komfort turbo four-cylinder at 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with the automatic transmission.
The Passat Wagon chassis is definitely tuned for comfortable family driving, and it delivers excellent road manners on the highway. I enjoyed the subtle rigidity of the ride and it was fun to push in turns and cloverleafs. Of course, right when I find myself having fun, a voice in my head reminds me: "You're in a station wagon, John."
As a family vehicle, Volkswagen makes safety a point of note for the Passat Wagon. Standard on every model is a cadre of safety measures: antilock disc brakes, stability control, anti-whiplash front head restraints, traction control, full-length head curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags. Rear-seat side airbags are optional.
In National Highway Transportation Safety Administration crash tests, the
2008 Volkswagen Passat earned four of five stars for head-on front occupancy collisions. Side-impact tests registered five stars for front passengers and four for passengers in the rear.
Overall, Passat Wagon is a refined and sophisticated option to utilitarian family movers. The extra money you will pay, my base model was $28,990 but escalated to $29,630 with options, is going to reward you with safety and outstanding craftsmanship and ride.