Volkswagen is not getting enough credit for the good engines it produces.
Yes, were all aware of the diesel engine emissions scandal. The guilty should be punished, of course. But one reason its such a big deal is, the offending diesel engines were otherwise so good, producing such good performance and economy that owners are afraid the federal government-ordered fixes will reduce them.
But VW also makes gas powered engines, of course. Thats what in the vehicles they can legally sell. And one of the best is the turbocharged 1.8-liter inline four cylinder engine that came in the 2016 Passat we recently tested. It delivered good performance and economy for a five-passenger car, making the Passat a good buy for those looking for a family sedan and still appreciate the companys high design and engineering standards.
Many manufacturers are now using the otherwise wasted energy in exhaust systems to drive turbines that boost power on demand in small displacement, fuel efficient engines. Most put them in smaller cars, though, where the gains can be maximized because of lower vehicles weights.
But VW has figured out how to adapt such an engine to a relatively large mid-size car, one with a large interior and a surprising amount of leg room for rear seat passengers. Under normal driving, our Passat easily matched and passed regular commuting traffic when necessary, while still returning mileage in the upper 20 and lower 30 range an admirable result in real world conditions.
The Passat was also a very comfortable car to drive, largely because of VWs concerted effort to design and build a car for the American market. Although some have accused the company of softening the car for the domestic market, we dont believe German manufacturing tradition means car produced there must punish their owners with overly stiff suspensions and spartan interior accommodations. In a week of mixed driving, we felt the Passat handled well without being overly soft.
The exterior styling of the Passat is very crisp, giving it a more formal look than other cars in the VW lineup. The interior is also formal or at least restrained, with a long straight dash and logically arranged controls. The materials in our top of the line SEL Premium version were top rate, including the option leather (heated and cooled) front bucket seats and relatively skinny leather-wrapped steering wheel. And there was a tremendous amount of room in both the back seat and trunk.
Some auto writers have suggested that VWs current cars and crossovers are lesser-priced versions of those produced by Audi, which VW owns. Theres some truth to that, although Audis products are clearly more performance oriented, luxurious and engineered to higher standards.
At the same time, if youre looking for a well built, affordable family German road car, the 2016 VW Passat should be at the top of your list. Our test car had just about every conceivable comfort, convenience, entertainment and safety feature available today, and still listed at just a little over $35,000.
2016 Volkswagen Passat
Base price: $22,440
Price as tested: $35,090
Type: Mid-size sedan
Engines: Turbocharged 1.8-liter inline 4 (170 hp, 184 lbs-ft - as tested); 3.6-liter V6 (280 hp, 258 lbs-ft)
Transmission: 6-speed automatic (as tested); 6-speed automated manual DSG
EPA estimated mileage: 20/28 to 25/38 (as tested)
Overall length: 191.9 inches
Curb weight: 3,263 pounds
Final assembly: Chattanooga, Tennessee
