The Passat also echoes its upscale relatives by offering an impressive list of standard equipment such as 15-in. alloy wheels, anti-lock brakes, dual airbags, an anti-theft alarm system, heated power mirrors, a multi-function trip computer and cruise control.
And in case there's any doubt that Volkswagen has every intention of recapturing a large share of the U.S. market, the company offers a customer-care program called Protection Plus, which has the industry's best limited powertrain warranty at 10 years or 100,000 miles. It comes with complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 24,000 miles, and two years of roadside assistance. Corrosion protection is six years with no mileage restriction in addition to a comprehensive 2-year, 24,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
So extensive is the standard equipment that there are only a few luxurious options available, including a power sunroof and a cold-climate package that includes heated front seats and washer nozzles. Next Page