2008 Volkswagen Passat R36 Review
September 18, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Volkswagen Passat R36 Review & Road Test
This is no passé Passat. This is the family sports car.
Model Tested:
- 2008 Volkswagen Passat R36 wagon 3.6-litre V6 DSG 4MOTION – $66,990 (RRP)
Options:
- Electric Glass Tilt/Slide Sunroof $1990 (Fitted), RNS510 Satellite Navigation with RVC Plus $2990 (Fitted), DynAudio 600W Premium Audio System $1990, Automatic Tailgate Operation $750
Stylish, Fast, Settled Cornering, Well Kitted
DSG Self Up-Shifts, Premium Fuel, Firm Ride
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
When last I reviewed the Passat I was quite impressed. Then I test drove the Touareg R50 and was blown away. When I borrowed the Golf R32, I didn’t return home for a week. Can you imagine then my joy at being slung in to the cockpit of Volkswagen’s latest R offering?
The R36 is a Passat based sport wagon (sedan available – $64,990) with a bigger direct injection V6 engine, commanding all-wheel drive grip and lower, stiffer suspension. It’s a pretty standard formula in gaining additional performance from a pre-existing platform, but as with any enhanced vehicle the devil is in the detail – and being German, detail is what Volkswagen does best.
Fade to Black – R36 shown in Deep Black Pearl
At a glance you could well be forgiven for assuming this is just another Passat, and perhaps that’s a very good thing. There’s no monster front air dam, no gaudy bonnet scoop, no dumb decals or stripes plastered from one end to the other and no ‘fully sick zhorst’ to attract unwanted attention, bro.
Instead the R36 is endowed with a subtle set of side skirts, lightly flared guards, chrome roof rails, a brief flick at the top of the tailgate and a set of dual pipes to hint at what lies beneath – this is the family sports car.
If you’re in the know, the 25mm reduction in ride height, absence of front fog lamps, curious soft burble under throttle and larger ten spoke Omanyt 18-inch alloy wheels might give the game away or, if you’re lucky enough to catch one standing still, the small R badge at each end could let you know this is no ordinary five-seat wagon.
The R36 also picks up dusk-sensing, self-leveling and cornering bi-xenon headlights with heated washers, automatic windscreen wipers, darkened tailight lenses, integrated rear fog lamp, metallic paint and chrome bright work around the glass. But from a distance, or to the casual observer, it remains every bit a Passat, true sleeper style.
Inside all the goodies we’ve come to expect from a top shelf VW are included. There’s dual-zone, climate control, air-conditioning with auto re-circulate function, cruise control, an alarm system, a ten speaker 250W six-CD audio system with console mounted iPod jack, full function trip computer, self-dimming rear-view mirror, front and rear acoustic parking sensors, reversing camera with guidance assist, one touch power windows and self-folding and heated power wing mirrors (the left one of which dips when reverse is selected).
Golfschwein: “My Golf TDi has character, believe it or not. In spades. Character extends beyond the body style, colour chart and red-line. Trust me, I’ve had cars with none.”
OMG someone who feels the same about their Golf =D
I find the little diesel grumbling away endearing sometimes, and sometimes you just get the spirit of the Little Blue Train appearing while you’re driving ^_^ (”I think I can, I think I can!”)
But more importantly, drove past my local VW dealer the other day, saw this big shiny blue missile waiting in the dealer yard and I thought “Could it be?”
Pulled into the dealer, sat in the car, admired the feel of it, very nearly got the dealer to hand me the keys, but then realised I was in a rush =(
And then one of my closest friend’s uncle stepped out of the dealer showroom; said he test drove it that day (and funnily enough, my friend was with me too heh). This uncle is quite a petrolhead, he most recently traded his Subaru WRX for this R36 (but sedan form, not wagon).
He hasnt stopped talking about how well his R36 goes yet :o)
And oh, if you want no soul, look no further than the new Corolla (or even the Alloytec V6 in the new Commodore, left me feeling really really cold; not to mention it broke down when I rented it for a couple weeks in NSW once)
Why did Toyota stop making cars for PEOPLE -_- (Their ’90s slogan was “FUN2DRIVE” too; my old ‘94 Tarago has that very statement in the opening page of its tech documents for it)
Chugga chug chug to you too, Iz. :)
Why the fk are we comparing a R32GTR to this R36? both different class of cars and mainly DIFFERENT ERA of CARS.
The guy was putting his opinion on the R36 in terms of character and all in a sudden crap talk pops up.
As Riceboy said, people need to take a chill pill and get back to commenting about the R36.
Joober – the same reason there are those on this website – who happen to worship a particular japanese manufacturer starting with “T” like to compare the:
Territory with the Prado; Hilux Pick-Up with the Maloo Ute; Aurion with SS Commodore; Yaris with the Konigsiegg; Apples with Oranges
It Doesn’t matter if the cars are from different classes; in different price brackets; with different platforms different engines different body styles or built for different purposes etc.. so long as they can try to make people think that the Toyota is a far superior car to anything else above it or below it that’s all that matters.
Wheelnut – Agree but Theres also the people who who put anti-toyota statements in their comments irrespective of the topic being discussed, so it cuts both ways, we get brandfan fools from all manufacturers.
Iz – its because the company realised profitability comes from selling to the masses not to only people who know and enjoy cars. Toyota is a corporation, its there to make money and only money… Anything else is a PR/marketing campaign.
fantastic car, definitely a niche filler. Chipped, aftermarket exhaust, CAI this could be pushing 240kW+ at the fly (That 3.6L VR6 would sound very very mean).
Disappointing they never gave this one a 6 spd manual option, as good as the DSG is.
Only do it for a stir.LOL
I could live with an Aurion Sportivo quite happily.
VW make nice cars but i doubt if they will ever topple Toyota as market leader.
R36 = pretty good car.
Where are the alternatives.?
A V6 R32 Jetta would be nice.
What about a 3 litre V6 Accord – Euro or Mondeo ?
Am I the only dude in the country who seeks a reasonably priced, less than full size (Falcodore) V6 ?
Please bring on the Opel Insignia and the Suzuki Kazashi.
Four cylinders suck.
Realcars
You are right about the big T wanting dollars, but wrong about their size. They sell more cars, period, but are not up to VW turnover.
VW is now a massive company who own Audi and several other brands – whose recent market capitalisation was advertised – exceeds that of Exxon Mobil. For me, having had many makes of models, including several performance vehicles, the R36 wagon was my choice. Comfort, fantastic driving, space for several sets of golf clubs, towing jetski, performance, DSG, different – and who cares whether the other driver likes it. I looked at the lot, including Audi s3 and 4 variants (at $40K dearer and you lose $40K when you drive it out the door), 135i cab (quoted in September at $94K and now $70K drive away for a demo with 2000k), replacement Liberty GT ($7K dearer), Lexus 250i etc.
As others have advised, horses for courses, otherwise we would all have a Lada. We have a choice, so we should be damn grateful about it !
p.s. to others, if you are not interested in the R36, write to the discussion page for the brand you like, not this one.
I need to figure out a way to get that engine in my Golf.
Hi, I have driven the R36 wondering about it for my new car. I have owned everything from Turbo Quattro Audi, the original V8 Lexus coupe, Lancias, to 300c. I have also driven porsche’s, M5, M3 yada yada.
The R36 is a surprise package. Once you hit the start the exhaust burbles away telling you something is not quite what it looks like. Drive in anger and wow! Real life driving includes driving in the rain, and the AWD will come into its own then. Handling isn’t meant to be like an Evo, but it still is direct and tight enough for “normal”, this is not meant to be a comp/track car.
DSG works well too with very quick change, I don’t mind when it auto changes up when you hit the rev limit. My current car does that and I find you go quicker.
Hope the comments help.
Reading through all the comments definitely confirms that everyone on this site is a fanatic when it comes to their cars!
I recently bought an R36, since I recently became a father.
I used to drive a Mini Cooper S convertible, so you can imagine the ‘change’ of pace! Every day I drive the R36, I’m continually impressed by it, and I love it more and more over the old Mini.
I love it because it gives me what I need now.
I can be ‘responsible’ for all the reasons the review and everyone else has quoted. And because it’s a very practical car and ‘cheap’ for what you get.
I can also be ‘two fingers to the green crowd’, and thrash the f*&k out of it when it’s just me. It sounds awesome. Moves like stink. And really is an fantastic drive.
Why have two or three cars when you can have one. :D
***BINGO***
NewDad gets it in one.
Just wish I could justify the $$$
Hi All,
Its a nice car, just had a race with one and thought should look up the specs! My mazda 6 MPS with 42.5k kms is well broken in and was too good today, but it was very close (Cannot divulge speed but >90km/hr). Having a smooth calm everyday car that turns into something very close to hardcore performance cars in a real treat. Depreciation for new car buyers of this niche is not so nice though :(
no offense 6MPs but i think you’re dreamin !
There’s no way you could smoke an r36 in the MPS (yes, I’ve drive one, and yes, bought something else) but nice plug for Mazda anyway, good work!
Picked up my grey R36 on Saturday. Absolutely fantastic. I traded a BMW 130i manual which I had for about 3.5 years. I had considered trading my BMW for a year or so but wanted something for a similar price, with more space, and similar power. Was toying with as S3 but similar size to what I had, was thinking about a 1.8T B8 Audi A4 but too bland, couldn’t afford a larger BMW with similar power to the 130i, didn’t want anything Japanese (6 MPS – give me a break), and everything else seemed to be very plasticy.
The R36 is exceptional. Exceptional build quality, no disappointments from moving from the Beemer, great ride, seats, visibility etc. Engine sounds throaty, the whole car has an extremely solid feel. I’ve traditionally been a manual driver but love the DSG.
Goes like stink and stick like shit to a blanket. Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. If you are entertaining the thought of moving from BM, Merc or Audi to an VW R36 I can highly recommend.
Great car…
anyone know what 1/4 mile this would run?
picking mine up this monday. :)
Im look at getting one too – but worry the looks are a bit dated and will soon be changed. Also I dont get why the CC and the passat, wont they soon get rid of the passat and just focus on the CC?? not sure – anyones thoughts.
But I love what Im reading and feel pretty sure about getting one.