2008 Volkswagen Passat V6 4Motion review

By Karl Peskett | March 24th, 2008

2008 Volkswagen Passat V6 4Motion review & road test

Model tested: 2008 Volkswagen Passat V6 4Motion

Recommended Retail Price: $56,990

Options Fitted: Metallic Paint $990, Electric Glass Sunroof $1,990, Dynaudio 600W Premium Audio System $1,990

Quick, smooth engine, easy to live with, practicality

Interior a little substandard, DSG not perfect

CarAdvice rating:

- By: Karl Peskett

Finally, there’s some choice in the good old station wagon market. Remember the days when a Falcon or a Kingswood were your only options? Their space and practicality meant that, unless you were a farmer and needed a four-wheel drive, they were the natural choice.

Of course today, in an ever affluent world, you have an endless choice of soft-roaders and SUV’s for reasonable prices. But not everyone likes having a pseudo four wheel drive. There’s the styling, ride issues, body roll that makes an elastic band seem stiff, and the fact that you’re supposed to get more space, when you actually don’t.

Enter the new generation of what Australians have loving named the station wagon. Waking up their versatility are manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Chrysler, Peugeot, Volvo, Mazda and others.

One Euro option to consider in the Estate/Avant/Wagon market is the Volkswagen Passat V6 4Motion.

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With more of a split dash layout, looking more like an Audi A4 in style, it pushes the conservative image away, moving more into modern territory.

The exterior has also been upgraded, with the V-shaped chrome front end, echoing the Jetta and Golf R32, without looking too much like a boy-racer. The styling of the wagon actually suits the car’s front end better than the sedan, especially when looking at a three quarter view. There’s more of that sports-estate look and less of the droopy slater rear guards that the sedan has.

If you’re interested, the Passat is named after the Passat Wind, which blows from Subtropical High Pressure Systems to the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone. If you’re not interested, just know that the 3.2 litre V6 goes like the wind. It is a real honey. Nice and smooth all the way through the rev range, it gets up and starts kicking heads from about 5000rpm.

It’s essentially the same engine as in the VW Golf R32 and Multivan, just slightly muted to suit the “family” image. Yet, at 184kW and 330Nm, there’s enough poke to haul the kids and the dog across the quarter mile in 15.3 seconds. 100km/h is gone in 7.2 seconds.

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But does it feel quick? No way. You’ll be overtaking on a country road and look down at the speedo, and whoops – better get that speed down from 170km/h. It’s as happy loping along at licence-deleting speeds as it is going through a school zone at 40km/h.

The DSG double clutch transmission in “D” position isn’t quite as refined, sometimes feeling like the hydraulic automatic you used to get in an XA Falcon. It shunts and thunks at various times, and at others is as smooth as cream.

You put your foot down lightly to accelerate and it holds the original gear loading up on the engine’s lack of torque at low rpm. So you put your foot down a little bit more, and it selects two gears lower than you wanted and ends up screaming its head off, to which you back off until it drops into the gear that you wanted in the first place. Hmmmm.

You’re much better off using the “S” position or the semi-manual shift, which obeys every command (except holding to the cutout). In normal driving, with light applications of the throttle, “D” can actually be quite nice to use, with quick gear changes to the highest possible gear, saving fuel. The DSG can be caught napping however.

Whilst pulling up to a stop, the transmission stays in second gear as long as possible until selecting first. One instance saw me slowing for a give-way sign, almost reaching a complete stop. I put my foot down to get in front of traffic and the DSG tried to make up its mind. First? No, second. No, wait, first. Actually, make that second.

Foot buried, I got a whole lot of nothing. Heart in the mouth, I waited until finally first was selected and we roared off, much to the chagrin of traffic fast approaching my rear bumper. I can think of better ways to get an adrenaline rush than trying to be rear-ended in a car that doesn’t belong to me. I learnt quickly that “S” was the go.

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As you are slowing, it downchanges when you would, and gear selection is much better matched to the engine’s torque. Fuel consumption goes up however, as it hangs onto fourth when cruising, very rarely choosing fifth or sixth. Still, it’s a small price to pay for having that power available when you need it.

I’m going to go out on a limb and say the V6 is not the best match for the DSG. It is probably better suited to the 147kW 2.0L Turbo, or even the diesel, which has plenty of low rpm torque to respond better to partial pedal inputs.

An area where Volkswagen rarely puts a foot wrong is when it comes to build quality, however, the test car had a few questionable details. The rear driver’s side door had a body panel that wasn’t flush with the body. The chrome surround for the gear selector is easily scratched and squeaky, and the driver’s door’s bin is scuffed very easily during egress and exit.

As far as a quality interior, it’s not too shabby, but it feels a bit cheaper than a Golf, especially the console and dash plastics. Dont get me wrong, it’s not as bad as the “can of silver spraypaint was all we had” plastic in Chrysler’s 300C Touring, but it’s just lacking a bit tactility. It does, however, have some of the best cupholders I’ve come across. You put your cup in the cutout section of the centre console, press the button and a circular claw grabs your drink, no matter what the size is. Brilliant.

The jury is still out on the shallow trays below the air vents on the dash, which slide out when pressed. Certainly, there’s enough storage around the cabin to not use them.

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The optional sunroof is the typical VW rotary dial, of which I am a big fan. You can choose exactly how much of an opening you want with ease. Dial it up, and it responds accordingly.

Equally good is the cracking stereo. Although the AM reception is appauling, the sound quality on FM and the CD stacker is amazing. My test piece of music – Hybrid’s “Finished Symphony” – comes through crisp and bassy with no distortion. The instrumentation is also clear and accurate, featuring the familiar backlit blue dials. They displaying enough information, and don’t try too hard, becoming overly fussy and complex.

Rear seat passengers will be also be comfortable with more squab padding than a Golf has, and plenty of leg room and headroom. The leather is also grippy, yet comfortable.

The boot is a nice size as well, contrasting the Passat with it’s rival the Volvo V50 T5 AWD. The Volvo is hamstrung by being based on the S40/Focus/Mazda 3 platform. It tries desperately to create versatility by morphing into a station wagon, but is limited in wheelbase (2640mm vs 2709mm), therefore losing out on rear seat room and bootspace (417 litres vs 603 litres). Passat wins, hands down.

The 4Motion system is also a winner. A joy on dirt and gravel, it sends plenty of power to the rear for some “hope the wife doesn’t notice” fun. Even on bitumen – with the ESP off – enter a corner at speed and just before you hit the apex, press the throttle. Load up the steering, feel the front wheels pushing wide and straight after the apex, lift off. Welcome to oversteer city.

This is a genuinely fun car to drive with adjustable handling that’s completely predictable. The Haldex coupling is used to drive the rear wheels, and is absolutely imperceptible when it kicks in, meaning it really does feel like a full-time all wheel drive vehicle.

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The brakes are also excellent, slightly overdone, but the initial grab makes highway work a joy. They will fade when really pushed though, but recover quickly. The steering is electric, so it lacks feel, but it’s precise and reasonably direct. Of course, the ride is firm, but not uncomfortable and the body control is commendable.

Then there’s the kit. Rain-sensing wipers, auto lights on, eight airbags, electronic park brake, automatic hill hold, parking sensors front and rear, Xenon headlights, LED tail-lights, perforated leather seats, fold-flat floor, and of course, the most important – an umbrella holder in the drivers door. $56,990 is par for the course too, for Euro wagons in todays market.

Combine that with a rocketship engine, plenty of space, good looks and proper driveability. It has a few shortcomings, but to live with day to day the V6 Passat is good, no question.

It’s about time we had some sex in the family car. Er, um, I mean, I’m glad the family car market can now be sexy….

CarAdvice overall rating:
How does it drive:
How does it look:
How does it go:

Specifications
• Engine: 3.2-litre DOHC six-cylinder
• Power: 184kW @ 5600rpm
• Torque: 330Nm @ 2800rpm
• Transmission: 6-Speed Direct Shift Gearbox
• 0-100km/h: 7.2 seconds
• Max speed: 243km/h
• Fuel tank capacity: 70 litres
• Fuel type: Minimum 95RON
• Fuel consumption (combined): 10.1-litres/100kms
• Turning circle: 11.4m
• Weight: 1726kg (Tare Mass)
• Built in: Germany

Matt

Have to agree with your thoughts on the DSG in this instance Karl, noticed similar issues myself – even on TDI models. Perhaps the ‘one fits all’ approach isn’t working with this box, more tuning required.

Otherwise though, great car, enjoyable enough to drive for a big wagon and IMO a ripper deal for the price.
Christiaan K

I wonder how one of these compares to a 2001-2007 M35 Nissan Stagea? Comparo please! In fact it\’d be great to see a comparison between a bunch of cars the Japanese keep for their domestic market only and see if we really are missing out on anything truly special.
No Name

Wouldn’t say no to this but it’ll need the Audi 3.0TDi diesel engine in it.
Foggy

I think you’ve been a little too generous with your ratings when there are such significant faults Karl. I looked seriously at this vehicle about 6 months ago, and also found the mismatch of gearbox and engine to be unforgivable from such a “reputable” manufacturer.

I also found the interior (particularly the dashboard) to be too cheap/boring/bland/German. The leather seats were excellent, although there wasn’t much space in the back if there was a tall person in the front, which is not great for a “family” wagon.

I think 3.5 stars would be more appropriate.
http://www.caradvice.com.au Karl Peskett

Thanks for your feedback Foggy.

If the 4Motion system wasn’t so good, and the engine so sweet, then yes, 3.5 stars would be more appropriate.

But as it stands, it’s a hugely entertaining car to drive, so 4 stars it is.
tonyn

guys,
I have a lot of dealings with these cars, i have a family member who is 6ft 6 and never complains about rear leg room when i am 6 ft myself, and the dash board is typically german, look at a BMW and there just as bad and people pay double the price for them!

The gearbox in that car feels funny cause just as the DSG enguages so does the halidex clutch in the back, so the feeling fo both clutches enguaging is the funny feeling you get. In the R32, which uses the same drivetrain, it is brillant so i dont thing it is mismatched at all. in diesel models if you drive the 125kw models the dsg is much better because of reduced lag with this engine.

Just thought id point this out as i have spent conciderable amounts of time in one of these wagons and think they are deserving of the four stars it got.

Out of curiosity foggy, what car did you buy?
Foggy

Thanks for the feedback Tonyn, perhaps Karl and yourself are right in that I should’ve given it more time to get used to it.

For the record, my shortlist got down to 3 cars; the Passat Wagon diesel, Mitsubishi Outlander VRX, and the Citroen Picasso diesel. I chose the Picasso in the end for it’s additional interior space and seating flexibility…. and I quite liked it’s style too.

Suffice to say, that I would’ve been happy with all the vehicles on the shortlist, but the Picasso just had that extra bit of quirkiness* that I like…. Vive la Différence!

* It’s rare to read an Aussie review of a French car (particularly Citroens) with seeing the “Q” word. Many Aussie motoring journos are so old school, that they see it as a negative…. but alas, not the guys at CarAdvice
No Name

Hi folks – Just if you’re interested a UK magazine What Diesel Car have copies of road tests of various cars (diesel obviously) available on line. The Picasso may well be there sadly not the passat 4 motion
curpen kervin

please send me some poster of car my address 12avenue sookhia stanley rose-hill ile maurice
tonyn

foggy i sell both brands side by side! while im not a citroen fan and have other guys looking after thiose brands, picasso is one product i think they have right to a certain degree, it actually looks half normal and drives ok.

I still have to say i would of had the passat in my drive out of those three, but hey different strokes for differenf folks!

Hope you enjoy your picasso, they look like a great machine!
New Owner

Well Thanks for the thoughts. I’ve just bought one and the wait is almost over. I’ll let you know what I think in a few weeks. On paper (and in the looks Dept) it is the best I have been able to find.
Peter

An interesting and enlightening article – I have a 2007 Passat 3.2 Wagon DSG and while it has many good qualities I hate driving it around town. It’s good on a trip. The car insists on being in 5th or 6th when in 40km school zones and 50km suburban street zones and “labours” along. VW say the car is operating to spec even though they have witnessed the “labouring” in high gears at low speeds. I wonder what “spec” really means!! If I use “S” mode the car rarely gets out of 3rd and I feel as though I have a monster under the bonnet. While I think these Passats (mine and the review vehicle) drive similarly I think our enjoyment levels are different from the experience, and I’m not sure I could rate my experience as high as yours with the Passat.
Owen Perham

I too have driven the Passat but only with the diesel engine and DSG “box”. I hated it! The massive hesitation when the throttle is pressed was just horrid. I have talked about this with Passat owners overseas and it is typical of the DSG box in both VW and Audi’s. It apparantly is a popular complaint to the point where VW dealers in Europe can tune this out to some degree electronicaly. I then talked to the dealer about service costs. If you are thinking of buying a Passat, you should sit down with the dealers service department and ask to see the recomended prices of all of the services up to 150’000k’s. If your chosen Passat has a DSG box (the 4 cyl petrol uses a regular 6 speed auto) then you need to be aware of the $600 to $700 hit at around 60’000 and again at around 120’000 for the DSG service (does not apply to the regular 6 speeder in the 4 cyl petrols) on tp of the normal VW high service costs. At around the 70 to 90’000 mark there is a major service of over $1’000 (can’t remember all of the details on what is done). This (if your car has DSG) is on top of the DSG service so you pride and joy will hit you with close on two grand of workshop joy in short time. If you have any say in it, trade when the warranty runs out. These Passats (i’m talking current shape/model) are renowned world wide for crook electrics, breaking plastic cam belt tensioners with devestating engine damage, dodging central locking actuators, windscreen wipers becoming detached at speed and the petrol engines not liking high sulphu content that we get at some outlets here in Oz. They do not like ethenol blends either. You should also find out about the warranty exclusions on engine damage due to fuel contaminants before buying particularly if you live in rural areas or do a lot of country kilometres where fresh, ethenol free high octane ULP is available. VW are very specific on using the boliger ULP and if you damage an engine by using standard grade you might be in for a rude shock. I walked away from the Passat after researching all of this and reading the Lemon cars guide at the local newsagent. Again if you are looking at buying the Passat I strongly suggest you read this book and ask the dealer a lot of probing questions. If the answers are at all vague or sound odd, get them written onto the contract becasue all of this might save YOU some money later on.
RB25DET

Just to mention that the hesitation on take up of drive is due to the DSG having a clutch system similar to a manual but with two smaller clutch plates. So it cant just put all the power on when your foot is depressed quickly or it will burn the clutch’s out. So the hesitation is an electronic safety to stop burning out the clutch. Hense been able to tune it out slightly at a dealer. If you depress the throttle more gently to the floor out of junctions you may find this does not happen.
weirluo

I personally prefer the Volvo V70 T6.
C.B.

Christiaan K;

Havin driven both the Passat and the M35 Stagea (250t RS four V) I can honestly say that, for me, the Stagea wins hands down and is part of the reason I purchased one. The only thing the Passat has that is missing in the Stagea is that it is an “official” release in Australia and also cruise control (although rare, there are models available with cruise. Interestingly the Stagea uses a radar located in the grill to sense upcoming traffic and automatically slows the vehicle to match the speed of the vehicle in front).
The Stagea has all the luxury refinements you could need, drives smoothly and just wants to cruise at speeds north of 150kph. The fuel consumption is better than can expected for a 1700kg turbocharged wagon with roughly 12L/100 around town and a rediculous 7.5L/100 avg. cruising up to the Murray River and 100-120kph.
The engine (VQ25DET)is very smooth at any speed, but once you hit around 3000rpm, the boost really kicks in.
“Effortless power” is how to best describe the Stagea. It is practical, luxurious, powerful and better than expected on fuel although it has an 80L tank *ouch*(be sure to use a minimum 98RON fuel).
I can’t speak highy enough of the build quality, performance, comfort levels, storage compartments (I am still finding new ones 12 months down the track) and general refinement… It also looks very nice on the road.
At around $25k (negotiate!!) from a car yard, you cannot go wrong.
I just cannot understand why cars like this (and the Nissan Cima – large, luxurious, Powerful, V8 rear wheel drive sedan – surely if a car was made for Australian buyers…) are not released here.
AJ

Regarding the annoyances of the DSG (yes, it often does choose a different gear than I would have, when in D), what a small price to pay for such a brilliant, fun piece of kit!!!

You guys complaining about it in D should try it in manual a little more often! i think its the best fun piece of technology i’ve seen in a car of mine in 20yrs of motoring (besides the turbos in my previous Subaru’s maybe – RIP my little siver rexxy!).

6 speeds, seamless and QUICK upshifts under full throttle, and the ‘blips’ of the throttle to match rpm under heavy breaking – what a hoot! I feel like Schuey sometimes!

DSG kicks SMG’s arse! VW ahead of BMW, now that doesn’t happen very often. In fact, for the new M’s, Bavaria has gone for the dual clutch setup ala VW for SMG II, so there you go.

DSG was the deal breaker for me when deciding between the Liberty SpecB and the Passat. and i’m soooo glad!

Thankyou VDub!
geoff

I test drove one of these for a day and absolutely loved it.
We have the earlier Passat which has better build and finish in my view but the new V6 motor is something else.

The performance is probably a bit over the top for a family car (this would have to run very close to our Aussie V8′s) and without the 4wd it would be very dangerous.

Mrs wants to look at others and this is where I agree with an earlier comment… all of the luxury cars now have plastic interiors. The Passat is definitely one of the better ones.

Points taken on the gearbox however this should not be an issue in real life and the strengths certainly outweigh it.

When is the review on the R36… now that would be nice..
weirluo

review on the R36, please do a rull road test!!!
VK2

I also have the Passat V6 and I find it to be a thrilling drive. I enjoy smoking other guys at the lights who dont expect the VW to have so much punch. As for the VW selecting 6th gear around town this reduces fuel consumption and does not bother me at all as you have two options to overcome this (S or manual). I just got back from a trip down the Hume this afternoon and it was an effortless cruise at 140 errr I mean 110 km/h. And geez for the price, it is waaaay cheaper than the Audi equivalent V6 3.2 quattro! I love it.
Ed Snack

Way after the last entry but never mind… I have a 3.2 V6 4M Variant, and I finally tracked down the delay problem. It is apparently a safety overlock in the ECU which can be programmed out by an ECU upgrade by the likes of APR. It is activated if you brake (not necessarily to a stop but the same happens if you do), accelerate a little, brake again, then try to accelerate. The fuel is temporarily cut off to avoid presumably an inadvertent acceleration “incident”, but in real life it just seem to strand you in the middle of intersections until you get the fuel back on again. It’s actually not all that long, but it sure seems like it !
Govna

Righty ho, to all you sad people that bought the Picasso, how could you do it? I’m sorry just to look at that thing makes me a little sick….and another thing, I’m sure Pablo would have wanted a few more angles in it, but I guess being dead, he doesn’t get much say in it all anymore.
Anyway back to the Passat, wholy shite this is fun to drive. I’m with previous correspondence when it comes to the slightly clunky lower gearing but I adore it when it comes to foot down acceleration…. Wunderbar! That’s fun and then it grips the road like gladwrap. I took it over the Port Hills in Christchurch today and tonight and compared to the Audi Quattro TDi of similiar age they both clung to the road remarkedably well but I think I would prefer to be transporting my family in the VW and I might possibly kill myself in the Audi. The paddle shift in the Audi was cool, but Volksi’s lights won me over just a tad. How nifty are the lights that anticipate your direction particulary on the windy, quick steep ascent and descent on my regular 15 minute commute to work in my current gas gurling Range Rover. That time will be possibly be cut in half in this honey and the gas consumption as well, when I buy this Passat Monday morning (don’t tell the dealer!)
So the Missus will understand the economics and I will find a sanctioned affair with a car. It’s not going to be as sexy a purchase as a RR Sport or a Toureg but I will get there in as much comfort in half the time.