The Detroit News's view

The pop-culture wizards who study the latest trends keep telling us that station wagons are coming back. They evoke warm and fuzzy feelings, especially among baby boomers who reminisce about trips to the lake in the family Cleaver-mobile.

We’ve been in several new wagons in recent months, including the ritzy $45,000 Volvo V70 T5, the redesigned Subaru Outback and the all-new Saturn LW. But one of our favorites is an old standby that just keeps getting better – the Volkswagen Passat. We drove an amply equipped 2000 Passat GLX, which you can now order with either front- or four-wheel drive and a choice of a turbocharged four-cylinder or a 30-valve V-6 engine.

Our test car, with the V-6 and five-speed manual, had no options. The bottom line – $28,980 seems like a steal for a well-engineered German sport wagon.

She: Gosh, we’ve been writing this column for going on seven years, and this is a first time we’ve had no dislikes! Does this mean the Passat wagon is close to the perfect car, or are we just slipping? As we sifted through our usual clipboard comments, we couldn’t find any complaints.

He: Very unusual for you, my lovely nitpicking spouse. Me, I’m just an easy-going guy who loves nearly everything I drive.

She: You old crank. You were lukewarm on the Subaru and panned the Saturn. But let’s talk about the Passat, not you. We test-drove the GLX wagon in the same month that we had the new Volvo V70, which had more than $11,000 in options. What I absolutely love about the Passat is the long list of no-charge items on the sticker. This is a company with a commitment to affordability. You get everything from wood interior trim to leather seating, which by the way looked like it belonged in a Jaguar. So many standard features in the GLX – central locking, cruise control, air conditioning, a Monsoon premium audio system. I could go on and on. But most importantly, this is a car I kept coming back to when I had my choice of two or three other test vehicles.

He: The Passat just plain feels like a more expensive car. But it costs less than a comparably equipped Audi A4 Avant and a whopping $16,000 less than the V70 we tested last week. That is down right astonishing when you consider the Volkswagen has more passenger volume, more cargo volume and one more cylinder than the Volvo. But it also feels more nimble and responsive, which is just what you’d expect from a German sport sedan. The fact that this is a wagon is kind of a fringe benefit, in terms of functionality. And where an automatic transmission seems more appropriate on most of the competition, the five-speed stick on the Passat feels just right. This is an anomaly among station wagons – one you actually love driving. A car where you really want to shift gears for yourself.

She: One of the things I like best about the Passat wagon is something that doesn’t often come to mind when you’re critiquing family haulers. And that’s style. I think the Pas sat is one of the prettiest wagons on the road. You don’t feel like you’re in a bulbous, clunky Mom-mobile that should have a Weight Watchers bumper sticker on the rear. You actually feel pretty good about yourself. I can’t put a price tag on that.

He: But wait a minute. There was no purse holder or any of those gadgets that are supposed to appeal to soccer moms and professional women. So what’s the appeal?

She: That’s the big lie of automotive design. Throw in a couple of grocery-bag hooks and some radio controls in the rear, and you’re all set. Women want a lot of the same things that men want. But we tend to worry more about the bottom line.

He: So look what you get for your money, beyond the usual accessories. The Passat GLX comes with some terrific safety features, including side air bags, antilock brakes and an all-weather package with traction control. You also get a very sturdy 2.8-liter V-6 engine that’s rated at 190 horsepower and 206 pounds-feet of torq It makes plenty of power, and returns great gas mileage. And with all-independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and 16-inch wheels and tires, you could be forgiven for thinking you’re driving a sophisticated European touring car that costs $10,000 more.

2000 Volkswagen Passat GLX

Anita’s rating: world class

Paul’s rating: world class

Likes: The ideal wagon for a family of four. Subdued, but tasteful styling. Less expensive than an Audi A4 or a Volvo V70. More personality than a Subaru Legacy. Lots of pep from the 30-valve V-6. Great safety features on GLX, including ABS, side air bags and traction control. Impressive list of standard equipment. Also available with four-wheel drive.

Dislikes: None – can you believe it?

Type: Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger station wagon.

Price: Base, $28,455; as tested, $28,980 (inc. $525 destination charge).

Engine: 2.8-liter V-6; 190-hp; 206 lb-ft torque.

EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway.

12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan*: $1,225 (*Estimate. Rates may be higher or lower, depending on coverage and driving record.)

Where built: Emden, Germany.