2000 Volkswagen Passat Review
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By Mitch McCullough, Editor-in-Chief

Overview

The Volkswagen Passat offers some of the attributes of a sports sedan at a much lower price than those from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. This car is an attractive alternative to the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or Nissan Maxima.

Model Lineup

Passat is available as a sedan and a wagon. Either is available in GLS and GLX trim levels. There's a choice of two engines, two transmissions and front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

GLS 1.8T comes with a silky smooth 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Volkswagen's 2.8-liter V6 comes on GLS V6 and GLX models. GLX comes with a sports suspension. The model lineup for sedans and wagons is nearly identical.

All models come standard with a five-speed manual gearbox. The optional automatic is a five-speed transmission with Tiptronic, a feature that allows automatic or clutch-free manual shifting.

For 2000, Volkswagen is offering an all-wheel-drive system called 4MOTION ($1,650). This option is available exclusively on V6-equipped Passat sedans and wagons with Volkswagen's five-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic. All-wheel drive can be ordered in either the standard GLS trim or the high-line GLX.

GLS models come with a high level of standard equipment. GLX is a big step up in equipment level. GLX comes standard with the V6, leather seating surfaces, wood and leatherette interior trim, dual eight-way power heated front seats with driver's seat memory, automatic climate control, Monsoon sound system, alloy wheels with 16-inch tires, power glass sunroof.

Our GLS 1.8T came with optional 15-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, Monsoon Sound System, beige partial leather upholstery and the All Weather Package, which includes seat heaters; bottom line was $24,795.