CD Article: 2006 Volkswagen Passat

[Shnak]

yeah and bible is full of too... 

Anyways... All I meant to say is that Volvos aren't Toyotas either...

[Snowman]

yeah and bible is full of too... 

Anyways... All I meant to say is that Volvos aren't Toyotas either...

No argument from me on either of those issues.

[Benhaze]

That's funny because in "Le guide de l'auto 2006" (Quebec publication), they rate the S40 4/5, S60 3/5, S80 3.5/5, V70/XC70 3/5 and XC90 3/5  for reliability. The Phaeton gest 3.5/5 and Touareg 3.5/5, while the Jetta and Passat are both not rated because they're too new. In their 2005 publication, they rated the Golf 4/6, Jetta 4/6 and Passat 4.5/6 for reliability... Now correct me if I'm wrong, but these numbers all seem similar to me...

Whatever, I'm sure I can dig up as many problems with Volvos as I can with VWs... the only difference is that nobody cares about problems with Volvos because they're an "upscale" brand and sell 1/10th of what VW sells in Canada...

Please don't quote the "Guide de L'Auto" as a reliable source on... reliability. I have the collection since 1981 and they are too many inconsistencies in their statistics to use them a reference for your point. Compare the the reliability rating in the 2004 guide for the Passat and A4 and try to explain it with a straight face. Actually after endorsing Audi's reliability for several years, one of the author had the misfortune of dealing with the infamous VW misfire issue and suddenly Audi went straight to a place when there is no sunshine. No doubt the lack of parts and dealers must have played an important factor IMO for him downgrading Audi but misfires have been an issue for many car manufacturers since OBDII. Hey Shnak, I'm actually giving a break to VW here! 

And Snowman, don't trash this book all together. It is an interesting publication that doesn't have an equivalent, to my knowledge, in the English world which is surprising considering the difference in Market sizes (and revenus of course). You just need to know what to take and not to take from this book. There is actually another French publication that is I find more credible though -my opinion-.

[Shnak]

Well sure, the reliability ratings they give is their assessment of what they've heard and seen from all the cars... But still, they rate VWs and Volvos pretty similarily.

And yeah, it's odd that we have at least 3 if not 4 annual car publications in Quebec and none from english Canada, or the states for that matter. Unless Consumer Reports writes a book about cars every year that I'm not aware of?

And yeah, Le guide de l'auto isn't a bible, but it's still fun to read what they say/think about all the cars, even if I disagree with most of what's in there... 

[Snowman]

Consumer Reports has several publications yearly on automobile ratings. They have history on some vehicles that go back 10 years. That is why Consumer reports have credibility in its rating system. On average VW has suffered from reliability problems in he last 5 to 8 years. The one bright spot was the Passat from 1998-2004.

Here is something new today that I found on the on-line automotive section:


First look: 2006 Volkswagen Passat

Redesigned for 2006, the new Passat is larger, roomier, and more powerful. Here are our first impressions:

The Volkswagen Passat was our top-rated family sedan from 1998 to 2004. Based on the previous-generation Audi A4 and A6, it provided an inviting blend of comfort, roominess, interior craftsmanship, and handling. The Passat was a family sedan that was fun to drive. But inconsistent reliability was its Achilles' heel. It was edged out of the top spot among V6 sedans in early 2005 by the quick and relatively fuel-efficient Honda Accord Hybrid.

Now the 2006 Passat, which went on sale this past summer, has undergone a major redesign. Sharing a platform with the redesigned Jetta, the new Passat is available only as a sedan for now; a wagon version is expected to go on sale in spring 2006. It comes with either a 200-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 280-hp, 3.6-liter V6. We recently bought a four-cylinder Passat 2.0T that listed for $27,440 with a six-speed automatic transmission and typical options. Electronic stability control and curtain air bags are standard.

The new Passat is considerably larger than its predecessor, having grown in length, width, and height. Its cabin is much roomier with significantly more elbow room and rear-seat space. The interior is nicely trimmed, but its overall quality and fit-and-finish don't stand out against competitive models as much as the previous Passat's interior.

An electronic emergency brake is activated and released by pressing a button on the left side of the dash. By eliminating the traditional emergency-brake lever from between the seats, the new design frees space for more center-console storage, which the previous version sorely lacked.

With the aid of turbocharging, the four-cylinder engine is rated 10 hp higher than the previous car's 190-hp V6. Similar to some luxury cars, the engine is started by inserting the key fob into the ignition switch and pressing it in--an annoying, needless step. With the automatic transmission, the four-cylinder is a bit hesitant when accelerating from a stop, but its midrange power is strong. The automatic shifts smoothly.

The Passat's ride is comfortable. Wind noise is well suppressed, but road noise seems more pronounced than in the old Passat. The steering is very light at low speeds, but firms up nicely as speed increases. Overall, the car handles responsively and keeps an even keel in corners, slightly improving upon its predecessor.

The big question is whether the redesigned Passat can regain its place at the top of our family-sedan Ratings. We'll answer that when we release our full test report in early 2006.

[Shnak]

Consumer Reports has several publications yearly on automobile ratings. They have history on some vehicles that go back 10 years. That is why Consumer reports have credibility in its rating system.

Well... Le guide de l'auto has been doing yearly publications for 30 or 35 years now... so they do have some history too...  Anyways... not saying they're better than CR (they're clearly not, CR has a much broader means to evaluate reliability), but still, it's nice to have other opinions and ratings than just CR once in a while...

The new Passat is considerably larger than its predecessor, having grown in length, width, and height. Its cabin is much roomier with significantly more elbow room and rear-seat space. The interior is nicely trimmed, but its overall quality and fit-and-finish don't stand out against competitive models as much as the previous Passat's interior.

It must be cause the competition has caught up a bit because I find the new Passat's interior to be better than the outgoing Passat with better materials throughout, especially for the interior of the doors. No more that hard plastic that squeaks when you apply pressure... they now use the same soft rubber as they've used for their dashes for many years now for the doors.

With the aid of turbocharging, the four-cylinder engine is rated 10 hp higher than the previous car's 190-hp V6. Similar to some luxury cars, the engine is started by inserting the key fob into the ignition switch and pressing it in--an annoying, needless step. With the automatic transmission, the four-cylinder is a bit hesitant when accelerating from a stop, but its midrange power is strong. The automatic shifts smoothly.

That is exactly what I hated about the Passat 1.8T auto I drove a year ago... that hesitation when accelerating from a stop... hated it! It was much less evident in the Jetta TDI, and one of the reasons I decided to go with the Jetta TDI instead of the Passat 1.8T, I felt the automatic transmission suited the TDI engine much better than the 1.8T.

As for needing to press the key in ignition switch to start up the car, how is that annoying? How is that more annoying than turning the key? Because it's not like you're used to? Yeah right... Nobody said the push-button was annoying in the S2000, everyone thought it was cool, added a touch of F1 spirit. Why is this suddently annoying when a similar thing is put in the Passat?

The only thing I don't like about the Passat is the terrible design/finish of the cup holders... other than that, I don't have anything to moan about it. Well, other than some features not offered like DSG, the Dynaudio system, etc... There is always something to moan about, it's just that some cars have LESS to moan about than others... And this is such a case... 

[Zoo]

If VW could get their reliability as good as their interior design/finish they would have some of the most reliable cars in the world. Beautiful cars to sit in and drive; but a pain to own when the electronics go wonky. Our Jetta self destructed after the 120000km mark. After that it was a real pain. I hope they have improved. If I were leasing I wouldn't hesitate to get a VW because they seem to be great for the first 100000km. After that they definately aren't a Honda or Toyota!

[safristi]

Yeah DUMP the "designer Guys"....and Hire Holmes...NO not Sherlock........

[Zoo]

Yeah DUMP the "designer Guys"....and Hire Holmes...NO not Sherlock........

4,5,6 hidden junciton boxes... Now I have to open this all up and start fresh...