Overview & Reviews

The VW Passat has been redesigned inside and out for 2006. The current version is 3 inches longer and 3 inches wider than its predecessor, with a more spacious cabin. Initially, VW will offer only a sedan, but the wagon rejoins the lineup later in the 2006 model year. Engine choices include the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6; last year's diesel engine option has been dropped. Trim levels have been renamed and recast; the Passat now comes in Value Edition, 2.0T, 3.6 and 3.6 4Motion trims.

• Powerful engines, excellent ride and handling dynamics, roomy and upscale interior, outstanding build and materials quality, available all-wheel drive.

• V6 models are expensive compared to Japanese rivals.

User Reviews:

Showing 41 through 50 of 403.00

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  Expensive Junk - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jack Long - November 3 - 6:23 am

  My wife bought a new Passat in late December 2006. The night we drove it home the right headlight failed and it took the dealership nearly two weeks to find and install another unit. The car ran fine until mid-May 2007 when it started to make a loud buzzing noise on start-up. We immediately took it into the dealer who advised that a bolt had sheared on the oil pump and it needed an entire new engine! As of June 14, 2007 the dealership has had the car for almost 4 weeks and is now installing the third engine because the replacement engine had the same problem. This car has been out of service for more than 5 weeks during the first 6 months of ownership. This is absolutely ridiculous quality.

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  Been in shop 3x in 2 mos. no accident - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Cat - October 24 - 4:40 pm

  I purchased this car used at 35K and its been in the shop 3x in the last 2.5 months with engine issues, key fob issues, fuse went, and suspension issues. The car has never been in a prior accident and never one with me since I purchased it. Ill never get another VW. Plan to trade this car in by end of year if these problems keep occurring, as I suspect they will.

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  Looks great but unreliable - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sean - October 3 - 8:26 pm

  This was our first (and probably last) VW. Loved the car until all the electronic problems started popping up (too numerous to list). The last problem we had was the well-known defective steering column that needed to be replaced (just last week). How does this common problem not warrant a recall? I love driving the car when it is working, but have no faith that the car will last (and it still only has 26k miles on it!). Just waiting for the next problem to arrive. Ill stick with Acuras/Hondas from here on.

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  2006 Passat 3.6 - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rick - September 12 - 8:50 pm

  I test drove a 2.0T Passat a month ago and have to say I was impressed overall. I really wanted to look at the 3.6L and got to test drive last week and it was a THRILL! On pricing, if you load with similar features, the price isnt that much more than a comparable Japanese vehicle. Where the Passat differs is the available 4Motion. Also, the wagon comes out in the spring. Thats what Im waiting for... a 3.6L 4 Motion Passat Wagon (I dont like the height stance of any SUV). Outside of the Subaru Legacy / Outbank, theres no competion and the Subies are less expensive because theyre far more stripped down.

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  Not a B5 - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By ttg_wombat - August 12 - 10:56 pm

  This is my second Passat, at the end of the lease now. I loved my 2002 B5. This, however, is not a B5. I enjoyed this car, but had some problems with it. The electronic parking brake has been repaired 2x now and still glitchy. It actually disengaged itself and rolled across a parking lot once! AC compressor had to be replaced and the AC is anemic anyway. The film on the dash bubbled up in the sun. In its favor: the car is just a blast to drive. I have the 6 speed, and its a hoot. The automatic was anemic compared to the 6 speed. The sensation of a big car moving like a little roadster is comical, enjoyable and uniquely entertaining.

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  Volkswagen Passat 2006 - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Itzel Galindo - July 29 - 9:33 am

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  Value for the Money - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Abhijit - July 5 - 5:56 pm

  I have had it for couple of weeks and my experience so far is good. My Value Edition Passat has all of the options that I required and it drives well too. Setting the display options in the Value Edition is a nightmare though. Overall the car runs and handles well.

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  Stay Away!! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By mando - July 5 - 3:30 pm

  If you really like this car, then make sure you have a bumper-2-bumper warranty, otherwise you are on for a rather sour treat. The 2.0T engine is amazing, but the rest of the electronic components are so below standards ITS RIDICULOUS!. This car has so many electronic/software bugs, its crazy. Just go to the online communities and youll see for yourself. Common problems with this car (2006-up): Evap purge valve clogging, A/C Condenser failure, Steering wheel lock defective(very unsafe), gas cap defective, TPMS miss-reading, Radio unit errors, and the list goes on, and on.

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  gotta love german - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ed - July 4 - 3:03 am

  I test drove the VW 2.0T with the six speed manual and was sold. This has got to be the slickest drivetrain Ive ever driven. Exterior fit and finish are great and this is a really good looking car. However, you really have to love these cars to put up with the same old VW issues. I have 20K on the car and have had 3 oil changes, yet have had to add almost 2 quarts of oil over that period! Hello - this is 2006 not 1966! I have yet to find a valet or car wash attendant that knows how to set or disengage the stupid electric parking brake. A/C is inadequate if car spends any time parked in the sun. Dashboard rattles. This is my fourth VW since 1979 and some things never change.

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  So far, so good - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tocacat - June 24 - 3:46 am

  I have been driving this baby for three months. It has a great ride. People are blown-away that this is the base model. All the sensors work (yes, even the tire pressure one). Watch out, this is a big car. It has more blind spots than I had expected. Its shifting is smooth. The parking brake and hill assist are nice. The guy whos getting 37 mpg on the highway must be driving like an old lady though. Im averaging 25-27 overall, and maybe 32 mpg if driving highway only. How can you not cruise at 80 mph? Thats so easy in this ride. Go for the alloy Tango wheels. They are a pretty good deal for an upgrade. To the comment about the autolocks - you can modify the settings with the computer. Just read the manual. Its slightly smaller than the bible.