2006 Volkswagen Passat Variant SE 3.2V6 DSG 4motion from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great car new, but be careful if buying used

Faults:

Paintwork felt rough on delivery; dealer rectified this by applying another layer of clear coat.

Electronic parking brake sticks occasionally when engaging park into reverse mode.

Brakes turn to mush then suddenly grab when driving quickly down hills & coming up to slow down or stop. Apparently it is a fault with the ESP sensor. This does not occur when I have switched the ESP off.

DSG gearbox is slow to engage during parking manoeuvres & also at slower speeds. DSG is clonky around town, but much better out on the open roads.

Tyre pressure monitor occasionally signals even though pressures are OK.

General Comments:

Great touring car - comfortable, fast enough, easy to drive, well spec'd for the money.

Comprehensive safety features & very practical; load space close to 1700 litres.

Some cheap touches in/on the dash & doors, but they seem solid enough.

Lots of gadgets on board, but the question mark remains as to their reliability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd July, 2007

1st Aug 2009, 10:56

Though you don't rate her performance very high, the 3.2-litre version of VW Passat B5 is a commendable performer, I think.

Since there was a video about a VW Passat V6 4motion recording 280km/h on german Autobahn in Youtube channel (this video is currently removed), her cruising speed is much higher than manufacturer quoted data. Discounting the speedometer error, her top speed would be in 265-270km/h bracket so it is astonishing for a 250hp/3189cc V6 engine.

In reality, the Passat 3.2 has a speed limiter working at around 250km/h, but with no limiter and modified V-max module she has the potential of over 260km/h (well above maker data of 246/243km/h).

In reply to 1st Aug 2009, 10:56

12th Apr 2013, 21:06

2007 3.6 Passat 4Motion. It clocks at 5.3 seconds from 0-100 kms/hr at a maximum speed 282 kms/hr. Measured by a neighbor who works with the Highway Patrol.

2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

I love it and recommend it to everyone!!!

Faults:

Nothing!!!

General Comments:

I love this car! it has been extremely reliable and I love the way it drives. it rides like the day I drove it off the lot. The stereo is amazing in this car. It feels like a much more expensive car. I love the umbrella holder in the door and the refrigerated glove compartment as well as the key.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th April, 2007

2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L 3.6 liter, 280 HP from North America

Summary:

If the hesitation problem is fixed, it is a great car

Faults:

The car sometimes hesitates acceleration from a dead stop. This is a safety problem. The car is currently with the dealer a second time to repair this problem.

Passenger side headlight assembly burned out at 2700 miles.

General Comments:

Details are very nice such as the new key start system, the one touch emergency brake, the umbrella holder.

This car is the V6 Sport edition and is very well appointed and is very comfortable.

Acceleration is amazing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st November, 2006

1st Aug 2009, 10:38

Your VW Passat is 3.6-litre V6 engined version, but she is no longer available in US market. Still now, yours is the best Passat I think.

26th Nov 2011, 21:49

I think that hesitation on take off is just a VW "touch" or something. I had a 02 Passat V6 4 motion until I recently totaled it, and that's the only thing that drove me crazy about it. When I step on the gas, I want to move, it takes the VW a few seconds to actually "move". 02 was a great Passat, but the 06 and newer seem cheap inside to me, so I am hesitant to buy one of the newer ones. The 4 cyl takes off right when you step on it, but I remember the sludge problem previous 4 cylinder VW owners went through, so I am afraid to buy a 4 from them.

In reply to 26th Nov 2011, 21:49

12th Sep 2018, 00:29

That doesn't sound right, unless US versions are different. I have a NZ new version, built in Germany. My 3.2 is blisteringly quick off the line, so much so I would challenge any car off the line, especially a RWD, to beat it (within reason of course).

I find the interior quality to be perfect for this level of car. Sure the paint scrapes off on the window buttons, but the plastics, chrome and dash are all of good quality, and feel right; at 10 years old and 110,000 miles the interior still looks new, save for the headlining around my sunglasses hatch coming loose.

The car is also reliable, I've had no issues with it, except for the emergency brake button failing at 150,000km, but I bought and fitted a new one myself. Replaced spark plugs myself, and she's never missed a beat.

I would say on a par with my Merc C320; I would own either of these two cars again.