2008 Volkswagen Passat

If you're seeking a four-cylinder, four-door "driver's car," look no further. With the most potent engine in its class, the Passat leaves rivals gasping in its exhaust fumes.

The first time you bend the Passat into a corner, you'll know its virtues don't end with its mighty mill.

At around $26,000 with the automatic, the Passat Turbo is pricier than some competitors but still a solid value.

"A joy to drive quickly. Sharp threads and disciplined interior styling give the Passat an up-level feeling. Fit and finish is fantastic."

The Passat must require little advertising. Outside, it's iPod slick. Inside, it's Herman Miller with a killer sound system. Sad to say, its base price isn't shy about reflecting either, with its $25,755 being almost four grand skyward of our Camry LE's ticket price. Worth it? "Absolutely," says St. Antoine. I really have to talk to his financial advisor.

Despite a high sticker and thirst for premium, wins by a nose due to driving fun.

If you're seeking a four-cylinder, four-door "driver's car," look no further. With the most potent engine in its class, the Passat leaves rivals gasping in its exhaust fumes. Zero to 60 mph takes just 6.7 sec with the available six-speed automatic transmission (a $1075 option). Further, the Passat trips the quarter-mile lights in just 15 sec flat. "The 2.0L turbo is so lovely," says Kiino. "Gobs of torque down low, very smooth, plus good mileage." (The Turbo returns 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway with the automatic.)

Some families are a little cramped in a Jetta, but the Passat offers a little more room and costs a lot less than a Mercedes E-class with a diesel. That's the only sedan a family of four could comfortably fit in for trips that offers a diesel engine in the U.S. right now.

$37,089. That's what this Passat 2.0T (not VR6) test car costs. Sure, it has $6299 in options including the ghastly $3499 body kit but I just don't believe this generation Passat is good enough to justify that price, especially with a four-cylinder engine and front wheel drive. The office never really clicked with our now departed long-term Passat as the newest version of VW's midsize car seems to have lost the baby-Audi appeal of the last one.

"Volkswagen also improved the aerodynamics of the Passat, by modifying the fenders and underbody of the car.

The Passat BlueMotion is a practical car that manages to sip fuel without the help of expensive hybrid technology.

Look for a trick liftgate that can open as a regular trunk or like a hatch. A 3.6-liter VR6 should provide 280 hp in base spec and 400 hp in turbocharged guise.

Passat benefits from precise steering, with effort that automatically adjusts to the situation. Its optional six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, and its brakes are excellent.

The current-generation Passat was introduced for the 2006 model year and is longer, wider, and more mature than the previous-generation.

The Volkswagen Eos solves an age-old styling challenge for convertibles.