The Volkswagen Passat was first introduced back in 1973 as a mid-size family car. Over the years, the styling cues have been greatly improved and it is now among the bestselling sedans by Volkswagen. The Volkswagen Passat 2016 was announced for the UAE markets on February 20th and is available in 4 trim levels; S, SE, SEL and Sport. I personally took a test drive of the 2016 Passat Sport version, and below are my findings.
Walk Around
The 2016 Passat features a genuinely sporty touch to its exterior design boasting a prominent front grille along with sharp LED headlamps and LED daytime running lights. The Sport trim is equipped with large ‘Chattanooga’ 18-inch alloy wheels. The rear encompasses updated tail lamps and a redesigned trunk lid.
Cockpit Impression
The interior of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat is simply outstanding and incredibly sophisticated; thanks to the two-tone front dash and the comfortable and luxurious leather seats. The steering wheel has been thinned down compared to its predecessors, and looks sleek. The front dash and the doors also feature wooden trim which gives the Passat a distinct look and makes you feel like driving a highly luxurious car.
The cabin is spacious with ample legroom in the back seating compartment. The trunk space measures15.9 cubic feet, which is pretty large for a compact car as you can see in the video, I was able to lie down inside the trunk easily. One great thing about the sports trim is that it features a unique keyless trunk access, just move your foot near the rear bumper and the trunk pops up.
Engine Specifications
The Volkswagen Passat 2016 is available in different trim levels; however, all of them carry the same 2.5litre MPI five-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic tiptronic gearbox that generates 170 horsepower and 200 Nm of torque.
Driving Dynamics
The best thing about the Passat 2016 is its smooth and powerful drive with good fuel efficiency rating. The Climatronic dual zone climate control is perfect for the UAE weather and maintains an ideal temperature inside the car ensuring a pleasurable driving experience.
On the highway, the performance was pleasant with no sloppy acceleration or unnecessary jerks, plus the power steering renders precise handling at sharp corners. I was able to go from standstill to 100 km/h in just 9 seconds. It consumed an average of 7.4L over a distance of 100 kilometres, which is impressive as well as cost effective.
Technological Overview
The new Volkswagen Passat encompasses a superb infotainment system called the ‘MIB II by Volkswagen’. The centre 6.3-inch touch display works just like a smartphone as you can pinch, swipe and use gestures to control it. I was able to connect my iPhone through the Apple CarPlay feature and stream music wirelessly. The navigation system with audio recognition is also available in the Sport trim.
Safety of Volkswagen Passat 2016
The 2016 Volkswagen Passat offers some advanced safety features and has received the ‘Top Safety Pick +’ recognition from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. All the models are equipped with ABS with EBD, front, side and curtain airbags, post collision braking system, tyre pressuring monitor system and electronic stability control.
Dislike
I can’t say anything negative about the performance or the comfort level, however the infotainment system is a bit difficult to understand since it is small in size. I had to concentrate a little harder to figure out the display.
Verdict
The base ‘S’ trim starts at just AED 87,823, which is pretty reasonable for a family sedan that offers such opulent driving experience and an incredible fuel economy. If you require more luxurious facilities, then go for the ‘Sport’ trim which starts at AED 118,189. I would definitely suggest you to take a test drive yourself and know better how it feels like driving the Volkswagen Passat 2016.