We hope you've enjoyed your trip through the mind of the average Volkswagen Passat Wagon buyer. Please watch your step when debraining.



For nine years, VW's midsize wagon has carved a nice little niche for itself. It's been more refined than its domestic and Japanese competition, yet more affordable than other similarly sized European wagons.

Although its mission of affordable luxury remains the same, the 2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is essentially an all-new car. VW has given it the same extensive redesign it laid upon the Passat sedan in 2006, which means it has grown a little larger, a little heavier and a lot more powerful than its predecessor.

Net-loving VW shoppers can find redemption in the Passat's acceleration, which makes the BMW 530xi sport wagon feel like it's running on four. The VeeDub's 3.6-liter V6 makes 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 265 pound-feet of torque at 2,750 rpm. It also makes this 3,953-pound wagon quite quick.

Zero to 60 mph takes just 6.7 seconds. The quarter-mile is left behind in 15.1 seconds at 93 mph. Both performances better the BMW by a bunch.

If it isn't quick enough, leave the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system off your order sheet. It'll save you $2,000 and about 250 pounds. The last front-wheel-drive Passat 3.6 sedan we tested weighed 3,576 pounds and ran a 14.7-second quarter-mile.

Much of the Passat's thrust can be credited to its tightly geared six-speed automatic transmission. It's a Tiptronic, so manual shifting is available should you feel racy, but we seldom felt the need. When left in "D," the transmission does well enough on its own, so we just left it there most of the time. We didn't even make much use of its Sport mode, partly because the gearchanges and throttle inputs become too abrupt for smooth city driving and partly because it's just unnecessary.

Despite that propulsion, the Passat Wagon 3.6 4Motion is not a sport wagon. Oh, sure it's sporty, riding on sizable 17-inch tires and snaking through our slalom test at a very respectable 62 mph, but it isn't a very engaging drive. When you're holding the keys to this machine, spending your day driving mountain roads won't occur to you.

Three inches of additional width give passengers more hip and elbow room, plus rear legroom has been increased by 2.4 inches. Cargo volume is up as well, to 35.8 cubic feet, which means it can swallow quite a lot of Freeda's fruitcake. The BMW offers 33.6 cubic feet.

The rest of the interior is identical to the two Passat sedans we've already tested, which is to say beautifully screwed together and richly appointed. Problems are still limited to seat bottoms that lack shape and thigh support, cupholders with little hold, and the misplacement of the push-button parking brake. Instead of down by the shifter where it belongs, VW put it way over left of the headlight switch.

We also found the optional navigation system to be a bit lethargic. Although it has thoughtful features like "Back" and "Gas Station" buttons, it seems to think slowly compared to other units.

Another plus is the heft of the Passat's doors. They just feel substantial, as do its chunky pull-type door handles. Visibility is also excellent and the felt-lined big bin left of the steering wheel is a nice touch. But the biggest ergonomic improvement is the growth of the Passat's door bins; they've gone from miniature to massive and can now hold a good-size water bottle.

Like its four-door brother, this latest round of redesign has been good to the Passat wagon. It's improved in every measurable way, and it continues to deliver on the promise of an affordable midsize luxury five-door.

Although there's now more competition in the wagon world, maybe even more than in the days of Vista Cruisers and Country Squires, the Passat Wagon 3.6 4Motion should once again find a loyal following.