Last, looks. This Passat looks pretty darn hot, even if we say so ourselves. Black paint was something of a leap of faith when we ordered the vehicle, but the Passat wears it well. The baller look, though, is mostly due to the dealer-installed Hi-Def body kit we were offered when we took delivery. While the factory-issue panels leave the standard Passat looking a little, hmm, shall we say boring, the Hi-Def panels add an ideal amount of visual tension. The rear bumper interfaces with a new rear exhaust section that also adds a distinct yet subtle element of aggression. During our stewardship with the car, more than one person approached us to find out exactly what kind of car, nevermind VW, they were looking at.
Possibly the biggest downside for this Passat as equipped was a rather hefty price tag. All told, including the sport pack ($4,030), bi-xenon lamps ($950), rear side airbag supplemental restraints ($350), navigation with iPod adapter ($1,800), the body kit ($4,600), and destination ($640), this example rings the bell at $44,500 compared with the starting MSRP of $32,130. A little heavy maybe, considering you can buy a base Passat (albeit with a four-cylinder and front-drive) in the low 20s. But considering the breadth of options present on ours, it still seems a pretty good bargain, particularly when you start comparing a like-equipped Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series. We'll be missing it, no mistake.
At A Glance
+ More than adequate power, solid build, a plethora of options for a reasonable price
Aluminum dash trim tends to catch the sun and throw it in your face
Total mileage: 22,565
Fuel economy: 21.6 mpg