Our view: 2002 Volkswagen Passat

Maybe the days when Volkswagen literally translated to “people’s car” are finally over.

How else to explain the push to the outer limits of the pocketbook? The leather seats. The big sedan. The V-8.

The VW V-8?

Whatever happened to the Beetle that could barely get you around a corner? Or how about the days of Jettas, Foxes and GTIs? Don’t look away for too long. The people’s car has become a new breed for people with pricey incomes.

The folks’ wagon is after a whole new breed of drivers. And that’s not a bad thing.

Introduced midway through the model year as a 2002 1/2, the Passat W8 is just the first in what should be a long line of luxury rides for an automaker with a history of thrills, but rarely many frills. Gone are the days of the lawn tractor motor and gauges that didn’t work. Gone are the days of the heat that didn’t work. Welcome to a brave new VW world. We’ve been waiting.

In the W8, Volkswagen has taken a proven formula (the Passat sedan) and infused nitroglycerin (eight cylinders). It is a first for the automaker. It is refreshing, to say the least.

Available in sedan or wagon form, the W8 is hardly pretentious, but it is pretty quick. Short on snob appeal, long on legroom, the Passat is kind of like the family uncle who won a million but never quit his job. It is down-to-earth luxury with a hint of ferocity.

Delivering 270 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque, the W8 is available only in VW’s patented “4Motion” all-wheel-drive model. That means two things: no worries in bad weather and plenty of weight (about 4,000 pounds). Which is exactly where the W8 comes in nicely.

When equipped with “4Motion,” the Passat was always more of a load than a light-the-tires car. With 32 valves and four camshafts, there’s no need to lumber anymore.

Simply said, the W8 (W refers to the 72-degree angle configuration between the banks of cylinders) is one of the smoothest powerplants we’ve come across in a long time.

Zero to 60 mph happens in the blink of an eye (about 6.5 seconds, or a second faster than the old V-6 Passats) and highway driving is a treat, especially with the very expensive Triptronic five-speed automatic with shift-it-yourself capability (for ’03, a six-speed will be added as an option). Lots of pull. Lots of push. Lots of Passat. Lots of price.

Try a base of $37,900 in the sedan versions and $38,700 in the wagon. Add destination costs and you are near 40k.

W, wow.

That may come as sticker shock for those more used to microbus VW prices. But a warning: This is not your father’s VW.

The Passat was already a roomy, comfortable, sporty, elegant, first-class ride. Now it’s just quicker. And more fun.

Sedan? Fun? Ever heard of Audi? VW has, of course, and now Audi’s sister company (Volkswagen AG) is trying to spin out a little magic now for its “lower class” of buyers. They say that VW buyers wanted another level to buy in the lineup. An upgrade if you will. In our opinion, from front to back, steerage never felt better.

Leather seating abounds. There’s also a stability control system. Antilock brakes. Automatic climate control, rain-sensing wiper speed control, heated seats, mirrors and windshield washer nozzles, a moonroof and VW’s high-end, eight-speaker Monsoon stereo system.

On the road, all of those interior perks make sense and flow nicely in a package that rolls down the road with the nest V-8 sedans. Handling is typically V-8 tight. The ride is smooth, nimble and quiet, and hardly ever jarring. Corners are conquered. Highway merges are a breeze.

Mostly, VW has done a great job of helping you forget you are riding in a . . . well, VW. The interior is tasteful and well-designed. The roominess is downright voluminous, except in rear-seat legroom where the competition gets a bit of an edge. But overall there is easily the temptation to forget you are riding with a VW badge up front – more Lincoln LS, Lexus GS 430 or Audi A6. Of course, all of those cars will cost you considerably more, all of which makes the W8 a bit of a (dare we say?) bargain at 37k.

Consumer Reports loves the Passat. Consumer Guide raves. Its reliability is unquestioned. Its safety is near the top in frontal and side impacts. And, on safety, all Passats come with air bags galore, including side-curtain air bags.

Mileage is a respectable 18 mpg city, 25 highway. Cargo room is a decent 36 cubic feet with the rear seats up, 54 cubic feet with the seats down.

So what didn’t we like? Can we say price?

At a high-30s ride, the Passat is going to be placed against the luxury sedan creme de la creme.

BMW. Lexus. Audi. Volkswagen. (Something here doesn’t fit.)

A V-6 Passat without 4Motion is about $12,000 less. An all-wheel-drive Audi A6 is about the same price. And, for all the standard features, trim, design and power, we’d take the Audi.

That won’t get you eight cylinders. That won’t make you first on your block to say you own a first-ever VW V-8 (and only about 5,000 are going to be made in the first year).

History and power have a price. You have the checkbook.

2002 Volkswagen Passat W8 — SPECS

Rating: 3.5

High Gear: Fun to drive, excellent in value, the W8 offers a roomy interior with an upscale feel. VW has always had an outstanding build quality and now, with a larger engine and all-wheel drive, the W8 doesn’t disappoint.

Low Gear: An expensive proposition loaded up, the W8 offers plenty including, unfortunately, less rear-seat room than a Camry or Altima.

Vehicle type: All-wheel-drive, front engine, four-door, five-passenger sedan.

Standard equipment: Leather seating; height adjustable power driver and passenger seat; bucket front seats; heated seats; five speed automatic transmission; four-wheel independent suspension; split-bench folding rear seat; rear heating ducts; remote power locks; power windows; power mirrors; heated mirrors; all season tires; cruise control; power, tilt steering; audio and cruise controls on steering wheel; power glass sunroof; four-wheel ABS brakes; stability control; front and side airbags; climate control; anti-theft system; AM/FM cassette in-dash CD 200-watt stereo with eight speakers; front fog lights; daytime running lights.

Competition: Oldsmobile Aurora, Lincoln LS, Audi A6

Engine: 270 horsepower, 4.0-liter eight-cylinder

Torque: 273 foot-lbs. @ 2,750 rpm

Wheelbase: 106.4 inches

Length: 184.3 inches

MPG rating: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

Manufactured: Emden, Germany

Warranty: Basic warranty is four years/50,000 miles; the drivetrain is five years/60,000 miles; body corrosion is 12 years/unlimited miles; roadside assistance is four years/50,000 miles.

Base price: $38,700

Price as tested (including options, destination and delivery): $39,250