Road Tests: Long-Term Test

This month, the keys for our long-term Passat fell into the hands of Photography Editor Scott Jacobs. Despite facing a series of demanding drivers, the Passat has continued to satisfy, and Scott's experience was no different.

"I've got to admit, I've got a soft spot for the VW/Audi lineup," wrote Scott in the logbook. "I probably give it more credit than I should, but the Passat is a car that can't be denied. It's a solid winner." This thought is borne out in our comparison tests and road tests. In fact, after road testing a 2001.5 Passat, we here at Edmunds.com said: "This is the best midsize family sedan currently available; a Toyota Camry with personality." Even though our long-termer is a '99, it carries all of the New Passat's best attributes.

Scott found that the Passat's ride was exactly what he likes in an car. "The suspension is compliant," commented Scott. "The Passat's ride on the freeway is smooth without being sloppy on the canyon twisties." Scott also found the steering to be complementary to the suspension. "The wheel is very communicative without being jarring and uncomfortable." Scott also found that the steering had a nice degree of weight to it, but was still light enough for everyday driving.

The 1.8T engine continues to win more praise. Scott has driven many Volkswagen/Audi vehicles with a wide assortment of engine configurations and still finds the 1.8T to be one of the best all-around performers. Though the 1.8T does suffer from a little turbo lag, the overall performance is equal if not superior in some cases to the 2.8-liter V6. "The 1.8 does get a little buzzy at times, but man, it makes this car a blast to drive," commented Scott. "I would recommend the 1.8T engine to anybody interested in a Volkswagen or Audi."

Scott's praise for the Passat continued on to its interior. "I really like the symmetrical layout of the climate and the stereo controls. The entire interior of the Passat is a symmetrical design, which I find pleasing to the eye and beneficial to the ease of operation." Of particular enjoyment to Scott were the heated seats. They allow five levels of heat that are not on timers like many other German designs. Scott's affinity for this feature may seem baseless since he lives in Los Angeles, where the temperature rarely dips below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. "Creature comforts always make for a great driving experience."

All is not peachy keen, however. The Passat is a few years old and has 49,000 miles under its belt. The wear and tear of everyday driving is starting to show. One side of the pillar that supports the front center armrest has started to fall apart. The plastic plates have become detached and are exposing the innards of the pillar. And, as we've noted before, the two center vents have broken louvers and the paint on the back bumper is chipped. "I've found that since the redesigned Passat has come out, ours looks dated," commented Scott. "I wouldn't say that it's a bad thing. Our Passat still has a great visual appeal, but the new Passat has really jumped into the classy category."

"I still think that our Passat is a great car, even though its luster has begun to fade some. For what you get and what you pay for it, the Passat can't be beat. This is definitely the kind of car that I want to own, new or used."

Current Odometer: 48,260
Best Fuel Economy: 22.8 mpg
Worst Fuel Economy: 18.1 mpg
Running Average (over life of vehicle): 25.5 mpg
Body Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs: None
Problems: None