Fast Facts

Verdict:
The car to go for if you value cruising comfort over outright sportiness

Well equipped with plenty of kit, luxurious cabin, very tractable engine

Some wind noise can be heard at highway speeds, steering wheel feels cheap

Volkswagen’s medium sedan downsizes its engine, but gets turbo power

By Lionel Kong

WITH AN ENGINE capacity of just 1.8-litres, one might think that the Volkswagen Passat isn’t likely to go very quickly. But the car that takes its name from the wind patterns around the equatorial region has a secret weapon plumbed to the engine. A small turbocharger allows the engine to produce a respectable 160bhp and more importantly, 250Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm.

The Passat itself isn’t new, but the 1.8 TSI version replaces the previous 2.0-litre engine and not only does it produce slightly more power, it is slightly more economical on fuel as well.

While the car won’t launch you off the starting line the way a Golf GTI will, there is ample torque throughout the engine’s range to make it a smooth operator. It will accelerate briskly from low revs and very rarely needs to be worked hard. In fact, it feels best in the low to middling revs.

With its six-speed automatic gearbox that shifts smoothly even on tricky ascents and descents, cruising around in the Passat is a calm, stress-free process.

When you look at the big picture, the car really makes no pretence about its preference for cruising rather than sporty driving. There are no add-on spoilers or other bits and bobs to the exterior, and the suspension setup even feels slightly soft when compared to cars like the BMW 3 Series or Audi A4. It is well damped enough to feel confident at high speeds though. Still, a fair amount of body roll through tight corners does discourage spirited driving.

An entry-level version of a car usually means that plenty of kit gets dropped, but not on the Passat 1.8TSI. There is a lot of equipment that comes standard with the car, including automatic ambient lighting. Then there’s a button operated electronic parking brake, powered rear window screen, automatic lights and wipers, plus a push button starter.

The cabin wouldn’t look out of place on a more expensive car either. Brushed aluminium inserts highlight the centre console, and the front seats have alcantara leather backs. There’s more than enough room in the back for three adult passengers too.

Perhaps the only letdown in the cabin is the large, skinny steering wheel that isn’t the most comfortable thing to hold over long drives.

While the Volkswagen badge does not carry as much snob appeal as a Mercedes-Benz or BMW, the Passat does make a very strong case for itself here. It costs less than almost all its rivals but really doesn’t feel that way. It doesn’t shout for attention, but carries itself with a kind of cool elegance. The new 1.8 TSI engine just makes the package even sweeter.

NEED TO KNOW

Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI (A)
ENGINE 1,790cc. 16V turbocharged in-line 4
MAX POWER 160bhp at 5,000rpm
MAX TORQUE 250Nm at 1,500rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic
TOP SPEED 215km/h
0-100KM/H 9.0 seconds
WARRANTY 2 years / unlimited km
AGENT Volkswagen Centre Singapore
PRICE $116,000 with COE