General Comments:
I think Volkswagen have lost the plot; back in the 90s and early 00s car like the MK4 Golf stood out from the crowd, not just for build quality, but style, innovation, technology and performance. I feel now they are just riding on the badge's reputation whilst churning out well built lumps of metal with nothing else going on! The car market has changed vastly, with cars being more reliable and well made than what they used to be. Hence why it's expected and VW have become complacent with this selling point.
This brings me on to my 2016 Volkswagen Passat. From the outside I like that VW have attempted to make it look stylish and less dull. The general feel of the car is well made and strong build; in fact it maybe overkill considering I would require the use of a hammer to cause damage to it.
This time could have been better spent on other things...
When you're on a long drive you will notice the headrest which is uncomfortably forward, giving you a headache with no ability to remove it.
The seat is too soft and not supportive.
The sat-nav is dreadful, although I like that it's a touchscreen.
The 2.0 diesel engine Bluemotion has to be worked hard; I understand it's economy focused, but BMW ED can achieve stronger performance with better economy for similar money.
The only standout feature for me is the adaptive cruise control; it works brilliantly and helps on long journeys.
10th Jul 2016, 21:26
Agree, the electronic parking brake is a pain on modern cars, we were doing fine with levers! And, I'm with you on 90s and early 2000 era cars being exceptional in regards to build and comfort, certainly your family/exec saloons and upwards, but I find it hard to believe a 2016 Passat would be uncomfortable to drive/ride in. Every car I've had in the last 20 years (VW Passat, Toyota Camry, BMW 5 and 7 series, S70 Volvo, etc, etc) has been ergonomically excellent and you would need a Rolls-Royce to find more comfort to be honest!