New 2007 Volkswagen Passat Exterior Review [ 2009 , 2008 ]
Volkswagen Passat Exterior Review
Exterior - 7.3 (Good)
Reviewers agree the Passat's exterior is pleasant and nice, even if not groundbreaking. "Like many midsize sedans, the Passat is attractive, but not striking," says U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman.
The Detroit Free Press agrees. "The styling is attractive but unremarkable," they say. Several reviewers list the Passat's attention-grabbing front-end grille as an exterior highlight. "The Passat's exterior styling is smooth, sleek and uncluttered, capped with VW's signature two-piece front grille," says Forbes.
Passat 2.0T, 3.6L and 3.6L 4Motion models feature a chrome front grille surround and slats with chrome accents. "From any angle this new Passat looks handsome and modern, with a slight arc to its waistline, a sporty nose-down attitude, subtle character lines and acres of chrome on its Audi-esque grille," says Road and Track. Reviewers call the exterior styling clean and well proportioned. "The new Passat has the presence given off by all beautifully crafted cars and is a stunning example of Volkswagen's goal of melding the aesthetic and the technical," says New Car Test Drive. "The sweep of the roof is of the modern, sporty sort, its coupe-like contours delineated by chrome trim surrounding the side glass. Chrome is also used in a trim strip to tie together the front and rear fender arches and the sharply cut tail, which is defined by round, horizontal tail lamp clusters that echo the shape of the front lights." A power sunroof is standard on 3.6 and 3.6 4Motion models.
