The Passat sedan stokes the passion meter. It’s a truly comfortable ride for all occupants, thanks to supportive seats and a carriage that doesn’t react as a ricochet over bumps and potholes. Passat’s front suspension uses McPherson struts with triangular wishbones, coil springs, stabilizer bar and telescopic self-leveling shock absorbers. The fully independent four-link rear suspension employs coil springs, stabilizer bar, and telescopic shock absorbers. The 2008 sedan is sold in four versions: Turbo, Komfort, Lux, and VR6. The Lux and VR6 Passat models offer an optional navigation system that provides visual directions on the center console screen and a secondary viewing spot in the instrument gauge zone. A slight complaint about the navigation system: Instead of being able to just touch the screen to indicate a desired destination, screen-adjacent buttons must be pressed.

Powering the Passat is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that offers 200 horsepower at 5100 rpm and 207 pounds-feet of peak torque between 1800 and 5000 rpm. The optional 3.6-liter V6 produces 280 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 265 pounds-feet of torque at 2750 rpm. Starting the engine is accomplished in unusual fashion: a key fob is pressed into a slot while the foot depresses the brake pedal. On the stow-side, Passat provides more than14 cubic feet of trunk space. Standard fare includes two cupholders in the front floor console and two cupholders in the rear armrest; cruise control; and an anti-theft alarm system for doors, hood, trunk and radio. Front wheel drive Passat Lux with turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission collects estimated mpg of 19 city and 28 highway and carries a MSRP of $30,100.