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10 Best Used Cars Under $8,000

2009 Volkswagen Passat

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Overview

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2009 Volkswagen Passat Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The 2009 Volkswagen Passat competes with the top-of-the-line Accord and Camry models, along with such sporty sedans as Nissan's Maxima. Loaded with features – some unavailable on the competition – and offered in both sedan and wagon forms, the Passat continues to be a more affordable way to enjoy true German engineering without breaking the bank. A drastic change in the lineup this year eliminates the V6 engine, manual transmission and 4MOTION options, leaving those seeking a bit more power and traction to move to the new CC sport sedan.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you appreciate the typical distinctions associated with European sedans – tangible and intangible – you might consider the Passat to be one of the best values on the road.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If its driving dynamics or design distinctions don't make an impression on you, there's little reason to choose the Passat over benchmarks like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, which both feature base models priced well below the Passat's $29,000 asking price.

What's New for 2009

The Passat line is paired down to a single model: the turbocharged Komfort trim. New standard equipment includes heated washer nozzles, power sunroof, fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Driving the Passat

Driving Impressions If above all else you're seeking insulation from the realities of the open road, the 2009 Volkswagen Passat might leave you feeling a bit exposed – it is neither the...

smoothest-riding nor the quietest car in the category. Still, thanks to the superb seats we remained comfortable after hours on the road. We were especially impressed by the 200-horsepower 2.0 turbocharged four-cylinder that's more responsive than traditional turbocharged engines. The six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission is very good and especially reactive in its sport mode. As is characteristic of European sedans in general, the Passat behaves with stability and predictability from low to high speeds. Perhaps most significantly, the Passat is wholly successful in being exactly the car it wants to be.

Favorite Features

Hard Drive Navigation System
With 20 of its 30 gigabytes dedicated to music storage, the excellent navigation radio lets you transfer all your music directly into the system, negating the need to carry around CDs. The system also features DVD playback when the vehicle is in the park.

Umbrella Storage
A self-draining storage compartment located in the driver's door allows convenient placement of a wet umbrella.

2009 Volkswagen Passat Details

Interior

Inside the Passat you'll find a combination of style and refinement unmatched by any of its non-premium competitors. Quality materials and dynamic design combine in a passenger cabin that's at once both relaxing and energetic. V-Tex Leatherette seating gives an upscale feel that cloth rarely delivers, but may deter some who prefer the coolness of cloth in the summer. Neat features include an electronic key and electronic parking brake, plus a center console storage box and umbrella storage in the driver's side door. The rear-seats offer generous legroom, and a 60/40 split seatback functionally extends the Passat's already deep but narrow trunk.

Exterior

{With similarities extending from their tall, V-shaped chrome grilles all the way back to their nearly identical taillights, never before have the Passat and Jetta shared such a strong family resemblance – even though the larger Passat effectively projects itself as the more sophisticated older brother. The Passat is also bigger than the last-generation car, measuring three inches longer and three inches wider. Wheel options range from standard 17-inch to available 18-inch alloys. The big VW badge placed prominently on the rear doubles as the trunk release.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2009 Passat features an impressive list of standard equipment that includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, air conditioning, single-zone climate control, AM/FM/CD-MP3 sound system, V-Tex (simulated leather) seats, power locks/mirrors/windows (one-touch up/down in front), cruise control, fog lights, comprehensive trip computer, umbrella holder, 12-way power driver's seat, power sunroof, keyless entry, cooled storage, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, electronic push-button parking brake, tire pressure monitoring system, 17-inch alloy wheels and a hill-hold function that prevents roll-back during hill starts. Standard passive safety equipment includes front, front-side and two-row side-curtain airbags, plus crash-active headrests and seatbelt pretensioners. Active safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes (ABS), plus stability and traction controls.

Optional Equipment

The Passat's list of optional features has been reduced to just a few choices. Buyers can opt for the 30-gigabyte hard drive navigation system, rear side-impact airbags, 18-inch wheels, an iPod adapter and few dealer-installed body kit packages.

Under the Hood

We love that the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo provides plenty of power along with highway fuel economy close to 30 miles per gallon. The engine feels like a V6, with no noticeable turbo lag or shortage of power, even at highway speeds. Zero-to-60 miles per hour times range from 6.2 seconds to 7.4 seconds, according to Volkswagen.

2.0-liter in-line 4 turbocharged
200 horsepower @ 5100-6000 rpm
207 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1800-5000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/29

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2009 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

4.2

Out of 5

Based on 466 Ratings for the 2006 - 2010 Volkswagen Passat models.

Review this car

Value

4.1/5

Quality

4.1/5
Reliability

4.0/5

Performance

4.5/5
Comfort

4.5/5

Styling

4.5/5

Rocket Wagen

By Salesguy (WI) on Friday, February 10, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 91,000

5 4.0

overall rating 4 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/5
Value: 5/5
Reliability: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Styling: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5

Pros: "Performance, Build Quality, Reliability"

Cons: "Regular maintenance is a bit more expensive"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I've owned my 3.6 wagon for about 2 years now and it's the perfect car for someone who travels for work. I drive about 25k miles/year and the Passat has proven to be fast, comfortable, spacious and durable (exterior and interior finish quality is outstanding for this price range). The only "failure" I've experienced is a defective fuel pressure sensor that was replaced under the certified warranty and otherwise, it has been absolutely reliable. If you are looking for a vehicle with the room of a mid-size SUV but handles more like a sports car, check out the Passat. My only regret is I didn't hold out for one with 4-motion all-wheel drive."

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good in alot of ways, poorly designed in some

By gus (WA) on Saturday, February 04, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

5 3.0

overall rating 3 of 5rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 3/5
Value: 3/5
Reliability: 4/5
Quality: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Styling: 2/5
Comfort: 2/5

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 4

"The adjustments for the seats in this car are poorly designed and bizarre - half automatic, half manual. The music system is poor quality. The alert for an open gas cap flashes off an on whenever it wants, lighting up the dash. Use of back cargo space - folding down back seats, etc, is NOT optimized. Drives well, handles well in snow if with studs. Has design flaw - DRL - Daylight running lights when are "on" all the time, lead one to believe the lights are on at night, but they are not - the rear lights have no DRL feature. Easy to get pulled over by a cop because front is lit at dusk and beyong, but back is still dark with DRL feature. Could find no override."

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see all 466 reviews