Used 2006 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Best Car I have Ever Owned
To compare this automobile to a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord is to do it an injustice. They are simply not in its league. I would compare it to a Volvo S60, Nissan Maxima, 2006 Toyota Avalon, BMW 3-Series, etc. It is German engineering at it's most innovative and a truly remarkable package all put together. You would think you are driving a BMW or an Audi (OK, you probably actually are driving an Audi) and the turbo makes this car a blast. It has lots of power, features, room, blatant good looks and personality. I used to think VW's were overpriced but now I see they are underpriced for the class of vehicles they truly are in competition against.
Trusted freindly passat
We bought the car used and some initial issues and vw stepped up and fixed them with no questions and even replaced some items that we did not expect. The car handled great had plenty of pep when needed and we averaged around 27 mpg. Now we do not have a lead foot but the car on the highway at over 75 still got over 30 mpg. Now after over 140k it is a sad parting as we move up to a mid size suv.
- 2.0T SedanMSRP: $3,999141 mi away
- 2.0T SedanMSRP: $5,000320 mi away
- 2.0T SedanMSRP: $9,500331 mi away
Best VW Ever (Other than my 1986 Sciracco)
I have had a 2006 2.0T since it was new and have put 140,000 wonderful miles on it. I have had very few problems with mine and am amazed that so many people had reported multiple issues. Other than the routine oil changes, I did change the timing belt at 90,000 miles which is suggested. I have been looking for a new car to replace it for five years now and cannot find one that I like more then my 2006. The ride is amazingly solid and smooth with great handling. The 2.0T is powerful but provides for 30 mpg highway, 26 overall. Also the stereo is outstanding. Can anyone tell I love the car? I have been driving VW's for 30 years and this is one of the best ones ever.
Avoid VW if you want a reliable car.
This was the worst car my family has owned. The car had numerous problems. The first was one of the xenon headlamps went bad about a week after we bought the car. The second was the windshield wipers wouldn't come on in the rain and the local VW dealership couldn't fix the problem. One of the turn signal lights popped off the car for no reason and had to be rigged to stay in place. The CV boots went bad after about 2 years. There was loud road noise if you didn't have the radio on. The speakers broke also. Problems with the parking brake. The interior lights started coming and the seat had to be removed and it cost 500 bucks.
Having no fun with VW
I agree with the majority of other reviews. There are a few good points (mileage, fun to drive, roominess) but it stops there. This vehicle is junk. I have experienced many of the issues mentioned, as well as catalytic converter self destructing at 81k miles. I owed a Scirocco 25 years ago. Same deal - fun to drive but unrelenting issues. Swore at the time, no more VWs. The wife talked me into this, but never, never again.
Great car until the engine blows up
Purchased the car in January 2015. After 15k miles of driving it (8 months), a misfire started, took it to the dealership (Parkway Volkswagen, Valencia, CA) after $2200 of repairs they still couldn't figure out what was wrong with the car. So I kept driving it with the misfire, after 400 miles the engine blew up and it turned the car into a pile of junk. The car died with 140k miles. So, if you are planning to buy a used 2006 passat, maybe think twice before you do it. The cost of repairs are insane, 145$ an hour of labor. Plus really expensive parts. If you can find one with low miles, maybe do it, but I still would never recommend a 2006, 2007 and 2008 Passat, due to its lousy engine design (BPY engine), prone to fuel pump failures, camshaft failures, valve failures, etc. And on top of that engine electrical failures.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Passat Value
This is an under rated car - if you really compare vehicles you'll find that for the money this is a superior buy. If you want to go for the brand names go ahead and spend 20-30 thousand more and you'll find that you didn't get much more car.
Great Performance - Some Glitches
I have an early release 06 Passat w/Sport package. The performance on the car is great except for the throttle lag problem which I haven't yet fixed. I also had probs w/adaptive headlights that took 25 days in the shop to fix. Doesn't make for a happy owner. Also took 2 trips to stop water leaking in trunk. Driver seat had to be repaired after 2 weeks. VW still needs to work on quality. Most problems were in 1st 2 months. Since the car has been great. Its really fast, but wish I could get a real 6 spd stick like the TL, Tiptronic isn't the same.
Best car I have had
Purchased this 06 Model with all the Luxury options available that year. The car had 43k miles but came with a 2yr./24k bumper to bumper warrenty. Included was 90 days Sirius Radio free. This car is out of this world, it's by far the finest automobile I have ever owned. Beautiful to look at from any angle, great interior ergonomics, outstanding performance and my gas mileage for combined driving is in the high 20's. The smile never goes away when I am driving this Passat or just looking at it in my driveway. All this praise and I have only had the car for 5 weeks. I would recommend this Passat be on your check out list when looking for a world class automobile.
Squeaky & Chipped, But Fun To Drive
I have had the Passat for almost 6 months and have about 10K miles on the car. The interior squeaks until it gets warmed up and the hood chips very easily. However, I bought the car for comfort and acceleration. So far I have not been disappointed. If you want something peppy to jump in and out of high traffic areas or fly down the backroads, this is the car for you. I'm getting between 26 and 29 mpg. If you get a black Passat get a detail shop to put on a 3M clear protectant. It will save you from repainting the hood.
Superb engineering
I traded in a 2003 Audi A4 for my 2.0T Passat. I was a bit sad when I took delivery because I loved my Audi very much, but was out of miles on the lease. I must say that after a year of driving the Passat, I am in love with this car. Its so great that I bought a second commuter car (07 Nissan Sentra) to run miles on as I want to keep this Passat for a long time. The ride is impeccable, the cabin is luxurious, and it handles like the Audi (except in snow where the Quattro is a must). The 2.0T is powerful, the Navigation is easy to use, and the stock radio is great. My only complaint is that dealer service on this car is very pricey, and the synthetic oil changes are costly.
This Car Rocks
Having owned a 2002 4Motion I decided to try the newly designed Passat when my lease expired. Also in the equation was the new Toyota Avalon and the Lincoln Zephyr. The Avalon is beautifully done but a bit too floaty and isolated for me. The Lincoln is nice but my preconceived notions about Lincoln as being stodgy got in the way. It is a nice car...but oh that new 3.6L Passat! The interior is the best I've seen, BMW look out. The seats are comfotable and the handling is precise. The new electomechanical steering is a blast to feel since it is stiff at speed but the wheel turns easily at low speed. The mettallic black finish and ten spoke alloy wheels make it stand out in any crowd.
I Love It
Before I bought my Passat, I test drove almost every competing car: Accord, Altima, S40/S60, Fusion, Charger, Mazda, etc. I also drove a few Certified PreOwned Volvos and Audis. In the end I chose the Passat because I felt for they type of car I was looking for, it was the best value. I have not been disappointed.
Read This Review
I have been researching numerous AWD cars from the A8 to the Benz 4Matic. With the price of the Passat 3.6 4Motion I couldn't beat it. The interior is awesome, it even has 14 way power seats for driver and passenger! This car has too many options for me to list. When I drove this car it surprised me! The sound of the dual exhaust sounded more like the R32's sport tuned exhaust! I loved it! The AWD works excellent. I had a chance to surprise a 2004 S4 the other day for a short distance. I think he was heading to the Audi dealer to trade his car in after what I did to him! Don't be fooled! This is no ordinary Passat! You really need to go and test drive this car. I have the Luxury Pack.
Awesome Car
this is an awesome, sweet car! I'll never drive anything else. It is very fast and responsive compared to the 1.8T. Its fuel mileage is also better. I get 30 mpg driving on Pennsylvania back roads. Its large roomy interior and interior design are pretty neat as well.
Very Cool Car!
This car has been pretty great. The engine and driving performance are the kicker for me. Down shift with the steering wheel padles and you're gone. Dynaudio radio is awesome. Great options, seat memory function, parking sensors, turning headlights and side lights for cornering are great. Fit and finish inside could be tighter, in most new VWs I sit in at the dealer they seem to have a tighter interior. The AC is a little weak, and the NAV system is kinda hard to use quickly. I had a few issues with the transmission that were fixed by the dealer under warranty, but nothing major. Got 42K on it now and I'm only upset cuz they don't offer the 3.6 in the Passat anymore.
Great German Engineered Sport Sedan!
This car has a very luxurious interior! It has wonderful features and very comfortable seating.
No Matter What Else I Buy...
I always end up back in a VW. This is my sixth one, and my second Passat (2005 TDI was the first) and this new 2.0T is just an amazing car. Since 2001 I've owned 19 new cars, among them a 2005 Acura TL, Nissan Murano, Audi TT Roadster, Acura RSX, Jetta 1.8T. The Passat is nicer than all of the above, including the TL. Its fit and finish is superb. The car feels rock solid. The controls are perfectly weighted. The steering is awesome and the power from the 2.0T is "oh my gosh"-inducing. Add in the good gas mileage and thoughtful interior features and you'd have no reason to spend more money on an A4, 3-Series or C-Class unless the badge on the nose was important to you.
Terrific
I've only had this car for month thus far, and I absolutely love it. It's the basic 2.0 T model, but it's everything I could want. The little 'extras' that come standard with the new Volkswagens make it fun to own and to drive. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone. Aside from the "conveniences," this car also offers up exceptional gas mileage.
Caution Buyers
2006 3.6L Passat loaded. Passenger side Xenon headlights gone out for the second time. Can you believe a $ 460.00 repair. Incredible! Bumper needs removal to replace bulb. This car has only 17K miles on it. Thank god it was under warranty but I'm worried when the warranty ends. Other than this problem, love this car. Dealership has been great with any repairs since its under warranty.
Love this car!!
This car is the best I've had. It is luxurious, affordable, and dependable. I could not ask for more! I recommend it to all my friends.
Beautiful Car!
I bought my '06 Passat Value Edition as a leftover for about the same price I was quoted for a Solara or an Accord Coupe. I drove all three the same day, and there was no choice really. The Passat was head and shoulders above them. It felt like a vehicle that was several thousand more. I took it on a long trip recently and got about 30 mpg on the highway.
Great Bang for your Buck
After owning a 2006 BMW 330i with the sport package, I can say that my Passat 3.6 with Sport pkg.1 is just as nice a ride if not more so. With 280 hp and 265 ft. lb. of torque this car really gets up and goes. It is smooth, has great handling for a rather large sedan, and the sport seats are extremely comfy with great lateral support. I also got the 18" alloys with the all season Pirelli tires for an extra $400. The car is great in the rain and like past VW's that I've owned, I'm sure it will be great in the snow. Surely can't say that for that RWD BMW I skated with a few times. Overall, the ride is stiff with the sport suspension but it's nice when you hit the twisties. Overall, this is a sweet ride for the price.
V6 AWD Passat - a Mini Phaeton
The V6 AWD Passat with Sport suspension is really an 8/10ths Phaeton. I have made several cross-country trips in this car and have been extremely impressed with its comfort and ability to make long driving days go by in a blur. unfortunately, my car had several minor electronic glitches, but they were all dealt with by VW. This car is still worth it. It looks and feels like a $50,000 $60,000 vehicle.
Fantastic
It's time to hear from one of the many, many happy VW owners. This is my 4th new VW since 1983. All of my VWs have been very reliable and my Passat has been the MOST reliable so far. That's why I keep buying VWs! My nearest Volkswagen service department is 120 miles from where I live. I've only take the car in for its scheduled maintenance. The VR6 is very powerful and helps to make this car a blast to drive. The Dynaudio sound system is the very best I've heard in any vehicle. This car is proof once again that the finest automobiles in the world are engineered just an on-ramp away from the Autobahn. I'm selling this one to my brother who owns a 1998 Passat which has also been very reliable
Kool
This car runs with the best of them. It has a great turbo engine. It handles like a much smaller auto. I love almost everything about it but, why is the clock only good for the driver to see. Everyone wants to see the time. Also, I can't reach the door handle when its fully opened. These are very minor things if you love this car as much as my family does. It is just great!
2006 Passat 3.6L
I purchased my Passat 3.6L w/ Sport pkg 2 and Navigation system because I wanted to step down from a big SUV. My initial search included the Audi A6, BMW 330, Volvo S80, and Cadillac CSX. I purchased the Passat because overall, I thought the power, fuel economy, interior space, handling and price represented the best value. So far, I love the vehicle. The handling and power are exceptional. The sport package makes the vehicle fun to drive and the electronic dashboard display along with the steering wheel control buttons make driving a pleasure.
Passat 3.6 Sport is the Best FWD Car on the Planet
I bought a Passat 3.6 with Sport Package 1. The Recaro seats in the sport model are superior to anything I have tested or ridden in, including my dads Mercedes-Bernz S420. The leather is baseball glove quality, incredible. The 3.6L engine has great power and torque max is at 2,750 rpm (better than the Infiniti G35). This car has a solid Mercedes-like feel that is absent in the Acura TL, Toyota Camry, etc. The manufacturer incentives (for leftover '06 models) dropped the price so low that NOTHING else competes: It costs $4,000 - $5,000 less than the TL or a comparably equipped Infiniti G35 (though no interior option is actually as nice in either). The sport pkg. also has stiffer springs and shocks and sits 15mm lower, I love it. The steering feel is light but accurate, but I would prefer more effort.
German Engineering
The 2006 Passat is indeed a solid and contrary to the previous models, a luxury car. The interior offers a lot of space, which makes it comfortable for a family of four as mine. With its front and rear air bags, solid construction, and lots of other security measures, it gives you a perfect feeling safety. The build quality, as can be expected from this car manufacturer, is perfect. With its 200 hp, 4-cylinder engine it offers a powerful car with good fuel economy. It is simply fun to drive this beautiful car.
New Passast has Grown Up
I just got the new Passast 3.6 and got rid of my Audi A4 with 160,000 miles on it. The Audi was a 4-cyl. quarttro and had lot of problems. So far I love the Passast. It reminds me of an Audi A6. The engine is strong and ride is ideal. I feel that the Passast has really grown up and can now compete with BMW and Audi.
An Unknown Treasure
There is so much hype surrounding Japanese cars that the Passat remains relatively unknown and overlooked. The car is outstanding, it oozes quality everywhere you look. The other day I left it at a public parking lot in a posh neighborhood and the guy who drove it back to me said, "This is a really nice car." This from a guy who sees all types of cars in that neighborhood. The car drives so well, it's responsive, fast, comfortable, and it has so many optional features I'm still discovering some of them after one month of owning it. In fact, after I checked Accord with all added options that come standard in my Passat, the Accord was actually more expensive. The Passat is a family, yet sporty sedan with a German touch!
Phenominal
The engine, handling, stereo, fun to drive factor, and fit and finish of my 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 are all above par for this class. With a wide range of styles and options this car can fit into a lot of differet sized budgets. I love the manu-matic shift paddles on the steering wheel. The interior is sharp with black leather and brushed aluminum accents. The stereo pumps out quility sound and offers MP3 playability. The engine is beefy and is well complimented with a robust transmission and tight suspension. With the Acura TL and Audi A4 in my sights I found the Passat fit well in price and performance. Overall the 3.6L edges out the TL in style and saves some pennies on an A4 with comparable options. This car has everything you need.
Dream come true
I have been waiting for this car for 2 years since my 2002 Passat 1.8T, with sports package, it's hard to find another better buy if you really care about performance and engineering.
One to smile about
This is our second Passat, the first being a '98 1.8T 5-sp. I loved that car, but my wife decided it was time to go more "upscale", so we moved on to BMW. Since then, I have had two 7 series Bimmers, two 3 series and a '02 Altima 3.5 SE. I traded my tired 2000 740iL in on this gorgeous '06 3.6 Passat. United Gray/ Mocha Latte. I spent two full days looking at everything from Chrysler 300s to Mercedes E350s. Infiniti BMW and Audi. Guess what,......this is BAR NONE the BEST car for the money out there. I too keep finding new things to smile about in this car. The Dynaudio system is a blast, and built in XM (or Sirius) is easy to use. Power and Handling are tops in this arena.
2006 Passat
Iecently bought a 2006 Passat 3.6 with luxury package 1. Man will this car move. It delivers great performance and I love the handling of the car. The premium sound system is great along with the XM radio. I love the blue/red dash at night and the dual climate control. I drove a Toyota Camry, Nissan Maxima and BMW and this car had them all beat.
A Brilliantly Executed Driving Machine!
I cannot begin to express how fantastic this car is in every regard. The Volkswagen Passat 3.6 is awesome to drive around town, through twisty turns and muscling down the highway. Its power delivery is smooth and voracious, the sport tuned suspension is nicely balanced and the car is laden with technology. From the sleek and refined muscular styling to the balanced performance, interior comfort and features of the car, this is probably one of the most well rounded and capable vehicles on the road today. The body of the new Passat is also incredibly rigid which really enhances the feeling of control when driving the car. Take a look at this car. You wont be disappointed!
2006 Passat 2.0T Tiptronic with Package 2
I purchased a silver Passat with Package 2 yesterday. The sticker price on the vehicle was $28,415, and I got it for $26,021(+tax). Its interior is great and the turbo has a very good torque. I was not able to see the full potential yet, because I am taking it slow in "break in" period. It is bigger than the old Passat and rides better also. I tested the V6 model with 18" tires also and there was not much difference in ride quality from my turbo four. I regret not going for the Dynaudio stereo system, because the longer I listen the radio that you get with 2.0T, the more I think that my Monsoon is much better. the radio display is great, as is the info center in the dash, with all the settings that owners are able to make.
Nice Upgrade for VW
I looked at other cars in this class and nothing compared to the price and value of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6. It is fast and fun to drive. It's a nice change from the 2005 Passat, and had a lot less road noise. People ask me if its really a VW.
Typical German Car - Driver Oriented
As typical of German cars, the Passat is fun to drive. The 2.0T is quick and responsive. The variable mechanical assist steering is a plus - the car is highly maneuverable in the parking deck (great turning radius) but stable and tight at highway speeds where you feel connected to the road. I think the jury is still out on the FOB ignition key. Why not have a RF system with push button ignition and door unlocking sensing? I like the drivers side glove box and other storage bins. As luck would have it I test drove the car in pouring rain and found the drivers door umbrella required me to get wet to pull it out with the door swung open.
What a car!
The new 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 features many extras spilled over from the Phaeton. The car is extremely fun to drive and there are very many safety features to keep you from having an accident. There are also many fun extras like the steerable headlights, 6 disc in dash CD changer, XM radio, auto-hold feature and an awesome trip computer. If you're thinking about buying a Passat, please do. My BMW / VW salesman told me that VW / Audi is years ahead of BMW and Mercedes-Benz in technology and feautures. The ride is very quiet and the heated leather seats are comfortable. The Dynaudio sound system is worth the extra money! It is the most awesome stereo I've ever heard in a car and it always amazes my friends!
Just Right For Me
I feel I have owned the car long enough to have thoroughly judged it. Mine is a fully loaded sport/luxury package minus the nav (wont pay the price for a factory nav) I bought the car new and compared the BMW 330, Mercedes CLK, Audi and Maxima. For me the bang for the buck in the Passat was a winner. I am 64 and this car fit me best of all those. I regularly make 300+ miles and my back and legs do excellent! I paid less than most and more than others got a great deal for the package. A feature I refused to pay for but now cant live out are parking sensors! There is a weird hesitation on the throttle that everyone deals with. It took me 6 months to master but now I dont even notice.
Great Car!
I checked out the 3.6 Passat this week. I was floored at how nice this car is. It handles like nothing I've ever driven before. The car I'm getting out of is a 2003 Acura TL, which is pretty nice also, but the Passat is something special. The layout of the guages and controls on the dash, and with many controls on the steering wheel, makes it easy to adjust things on the move. At night the red and blue interior lighting is breathtaking. The lighting on all switches, knobs, etc., and the ambient red lighting bathes the console and dash in a soothing, red glow. I signed the papers today for a 3.6 with the Luxury Package 2, in United Grey, with black leather. Just Mud Guards are the only extras.
Top Choice
Out of all the cars I drove, and i drove a lot, none had that feeling I was purchasing a $30,000 vehicle. However, the 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 feels like a $40,000 vehicle and still does even after the purchase.
V6 is the Only Way to Go
I just purchased a new 2006 Passat 3.6 and was amazed at the power and performance this vehicle offers. I have allready put 1,000 miles on in the first week and will keep this car for years to come. This will be my third V6 Passat and no vehicle that I have test driven had the saftey and performance that is has.
New 3.6L Passat 11/21/05
Take this from an ex-Benz, Lexus, BMW, Volvo owner, the list is huge..., I test drove this new car on Saturday and couldn't wipe the grin off my face. "THIS IS A VW?" I put a deposit on it right away. Then I went home, did my research, read lots of blogs, (very helpful) and all the other VW model quality issues aside, I went and bought this car today. When I looked deeper into the issue, it does seem like VW has had it share of problems especailly when it comes to other and older models made in other than Germany. The fact that this was made in the Fatherland restored my confidence in this well engineered gem. Time will tell if my call was right and I'll provide updates as car matures.
Horrible Car
I bought this car new and was very excited about its overall interior and exterior design and performance. My excitement quickly faded as the car is always in the shop. This is the worst car I have ever owned. It has been in the shop at least every other month. Several of the repairs lasted over a week to correct and I had to rent a car while the repair was made. It has had so many electrical and computer problems I cannot even count them. You name it, it has been broken. Here is the short list, Braking system, fuel system, Every computer system has been broken (some more than once), steering system, tire pressure monitor. NEVER buy this car.
Impressive
I did a lot of research to determeine which AWD vehicle would best fit my needs and the Passat came out on top. I have only had the car for a week, but I am impressed with the performance and design. The only option that did not come with the car is the navigation system. The instrument panel layout is great and easy to understand. I particularly like the ease of the multi-function steering wheel that controls the computer. The most impressive thing about this car is the 280 HP engine that has great pick up that beats the 190 ponies I had in my 2001 Audi A4. If you want or need an AWD drive vehicle that is roomy yet feels sporty this car is for you.
Love It!
This is my third and favorite Passat. I have owned the B5 ('00), B5.5 ('02), and now the B6 ('06). VW has really stepped it up with the new 3.6L Passat. I purchased mine with the Sport Package #1, Black on Black with the 18" Samas (best option IMHO for someone looking for a car that drives and feels like a sports car). I test drove the Acura TL, Audi A4, and BMW 325 for good measure, but IMO the Passat won in power, refinement, looks, and value for money. Maybe I am biased towards German (VW) engineering, but you would make a BIG mistake by not giving this car a serious look.
Almost as Fun to Drive as my Viper
I bought a 2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 for my wife but I seem to be doing all the driving in it. Coming from a Mercedes-Benz S500 owner and former Viper owner, this car is a joy to drive. With the Sport package it actually has more options than my 2000 model S500 Benz. It is not quite as smooth, classy looking, or roomy but it definitely is more fun to drive. The navigation system is a bit complicated but it does the trick. When driving in "Sport" mode it has great umff out of the corners. The steering / handling is great. You feel one with the road. The 280 HP makes it easy to pass "Gramps" moseying down the highway.
this car rocks
The Volkswagen Passat 3.6 is so fast so fast and quick. I love that the most about this car. Its maneuverabiltiy is superior to the Acura TL, that I used to own. The sound system rocks, for sure it is the best out there. All of the little details are also very important. I also like the headlights that follow your route. The sleek sexy design is also one of my favorites and it's a hip car since I have tinted out the windows, lowered it and added 18 inch rims and tires. This car is one of a kind and should be showcased to give VW a new market for the younger generation.