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Volkswagen Passat - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Volkswagen Passat ranks 17 out of 21 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 66 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen Passat, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2010 Volkswagen Passat is an affordable midsize car with an interior that almost belongs in a more expensive class, combined with with suspension tuning that makes it fun to drive and an excellent safety record. However, it's also one of the most expensive midsize cars, particularly when fully loaded with  options.

The 2010 VW Passat offers a near-luxury level of refinement, and excellent road manners. New Car Test Drive calls it "a sophisticated car with a high-quality cabin," adding, "It's roomy and comfortable. ... The ride is smooth and comfortable and the chassis is well controlled at high speed."

Its high price, however, can be hard to justify. Volkswagen's midsize car isn't among the class leaders in fuel economy, either -- making it an expensive car to own. Those looking for a fun-to-drive midsize car might want to consider the Mazda6 as well.

For 2010, Volkswagen will build only a single trim level for the Passat, available as a sedan or wagon. The company is scaling back Passat production before introducing a replacement, which will probably arrive for the 2011 model year. VW is offering free scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles on all Passats.

• "Loaded with features - some unavailable on the competition - and offered in both sedan and wagon forms, the Passat continues to be a more affordable way to enjoy true German engineering without breaking the bank...If its driving dynamics or design distinctions don't make an impression on you, there's little reason to choose the Passat over benchmarks like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, which both feature base models priced well below the Passat." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "This is a mature, fully textured driver's car, appealing on every level." -- Motor Trend
• "As much as we like the current Volkswagen Passat, from its meticulously crafted cabin to its engaging dynamics, this car is the high-end option in a vehicle class patronized by consumers who worry about mortgage payments and preschool tuition." -- Edmunds
• "The Volkswagen Passat is a sophisticated car with a high-quality cabin. It's roomy and comfortable. ... The ride is smooth and comfortable and the chassis is well controlled at high speed." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Back when the American automakers focused mainly on muscle, and Japanese cars were proficient but boring, VW found a great niche as the maker of affordable European funmobiles. But Japanese cars like the Nissan Altima and the Honda Accord aren't so boring anymore, and domestics like the Ford Fusion are a lot crisper than their bloated predecessor. VW's niche is getting tighter." -- U.S. News
• "If its driving dynamics or design distinctions don't make an impression on you, there's little reason to choose the Passat over benchmarks like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry." -- Kelley Blue Book

Passat Performance - 8.0 (Very Good)

The Passat is one of the more well-balanced affordable midsize cars, with taut handling and a sporty ride for a family car. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine is well-liked, but not as efficient as many buyers expect of a four-cylinder engine. Read More

Passat Exterior - 7.7 (Good)

The Passat has remained unchanged since 2005. Its profile is unremarkable but inoffensive. "Like many midsize sedans, the Passat is attractive, but not striking," says U.S. News reviewer Rick Newman. Read More

Passat Interior - 8.2 (Very Good)

The 2010 Passat comes in only one trim level, but it's a well-appointed one. The Passat's cabin feels more upscale than what many rivals have to offer, and features comfortable seating. Motor Trend says, "Even in its most stripped-down form, the Passat exudes upscale ambiance." Read More

Passat Safety - 8.3 (Very Good)

The 2010 VW Passat does well in government crash testing, but does not post perfect scores. The mechanically-similar 2009 Passat was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Pick" in the midsize car class. Read More

Passat Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)

The 2010 Volkswagen Passat reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Passat comes equipped with a basic warranty covering three years or 36,000 miles. Read More