2008 Volkswagen Passat Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 63 Passat reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Passat is a well-equipped with safety features, and has performed very well in government and insurance industry crash tests.
The majority of reviewers praise the standard safety equipment. "All Passats come very well equipped as far as safety features," says Edmunds. "Antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, a tire-pressure monitor, anti-whiplash front head restraints, front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags are all standard." The Auto Channel also praises the Passat's "full suite of safety features."
The 2008 Passat receives four out of five stars for driver and passenger protection in frontal collisions in government crash tests. In side-impact crash tests, the vehicle earns five out of five stars for front seat protection and four out of five stars for rear seat passenger protection. The Passat also receives impressive ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which awards the Passat a "Good" rating (the highest), for performance in frontal offset and side impact tests.
Accident Avoidance
Passat models come standard with power-assisted front vented disc brakes, rear solid disc brakes and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The vehicle features several traction control systems including Anti-slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) with Brake Assist.
Crash Protection
The Passat comes standard with driver and front passenger front and side-thorax air bags, supplemental restraint systems, side curtain air bags and a rear passenger side-thorax air bag supplemental system. Outer rear seats also feature safety belt pretensioners and all five seats have three-point safety bets with emergency locking retractors. Volkswagen also offers Passat buyers four-year, 24-hour roadside assistance provided by Road America.
