VW Passat Sedan 2006 Review

Even pushing the extra weight of the larger, heavier Passat wagon, it still delivers plenty of punch - enough to make you wonder whether a V6 or even the diesel model is really warranted?

We first saw the 2.0-litre TFSI engine with the debut of the new GTi hot hatch last year, followed recently by it sedan counterpart in the Jetta range.

The turbocharged four engine produces 147kW of power between 5100rpm and 6600rpm and 280Nm of torque from a low 1800rpm.

It's enough to propel the Passat, in both sedan and wagon forms, from 0-100km/h in a rapid-fire 7.8 seconds.

Fuel consumption for the wagon meanwhile is a claimed 8.9L/100km from the 70-litre tank and it uses premium unleaded - the 98 grade good stuff is recommended.

Vollkswagen has been hitting some home runs lately and it looks like Passat may be another one.

The company describes the car as "the greatest evolutionary step since the series was first created."

It's larger in every dimension than the previous model which we admit having had a bit of a soft spot for.

Putting a rule over it the new car it's 62mm longer, 74mm wider and 10mm higher.

Shopping it against smaller stablemate Jetta, there's not much separating the two cars in terms of style.

Jetta is also quite roomy inside and could in fact be spacious enough for many people, especially since it's cheaper.

Passat has a five-star safety rating and comes with eight airbags, active front crash head restraints and electronic stability control as standard.

Our test car was the four cylinder wagon priced from $46,990, that's $2000 more than the entry level 2.0-litre diesel.

You can't get a Jetta wagon so if it's a wagon you're after, it will have to be the Passat.

In the four cylinder wagon the engine is hooked up to a six-speed sequential auto that allows the driver to change gear manually (V6 and diesel get the hi-tech, double clutch DSG box).

From start the changes that have been introduced with the new model become quickly obvious.

To start the car there is no ignition key as such. Instead you stick the remote control unit into a slot in the dash, pushing the thing home to turn the engine over.

There's no fumbling for the handbrake either. To operate the handbrake it's just a matter of pushing a dash-mounted button to the right of the steering wheel.

Our test car was finished in dark blue with gleaming chrome accents.

The wagon is the same width but fractionally longer than the sedan at 4774mm but sits a good 45mm higher.

The profile is raked and sporty, with a high waist line and side windows that narrow and plunge to a point at the front.

Alloys wheels with low profile 235/45 rubber are standard as is a full-size alloy spare.

Inside velour trim is standard but that is just fine by us because leather is cold to the touch in winter.

The seats are firm but comfy and supportive, with good side bolstering.

Rear legroom is generous and the wagon seats four adults comfortably, five at a pinch.

As mentioned the car takes premium unleaded petrol and we averaged 11.7L/100km from the 70-litre fuel tank during testing.