2014 Volkswagen Passat Test Drive Review
With over 6,000 units plying Malaysian roads today, the seventh-generation Passat B7 that was launched in Malaysia first as a fully-imported CBU in 2011 and then locally assembled a year later is one of Volkswagen’s best-selling models in our country.
Essentially a massive facelift of the previous-generation Passat B6, the B7’s sole variant on sale in Malaysia is priced at RM170,000 thereabouts, pitting it firmly at the pointed end of the D-segment competing against the likes of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Teana, and Mazda6 in their 2.4- to 2.5-litre formats.
With its modern TSI powertrain and fancy dual clutch transmission, Volkswagen posits the Passat’s advanced engineering as a key selling point against the usual suspects, although its business-like somber appearance hardly reflects the underlying sophistication of its operating gear. Another dent of the Passat’s credentials is a slightly underwhelming kit count that, although well-stocked on safety, also under-delivers on amenities.
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Enhancements for 2014
As the B7 enters the final stretch of its model life-cycle before its all-new MQB-based replacement debuts globally later this year, an updated version of the Passat offering mildly improved specifications was quietly launched earlier in April at a more competitive price. Volkswagen has also stopped importing fully built-up units of the Passat, so once they’ve cleared whatever’s left in their inventory, there will not be the choice of a CBU Passat B7.
In addition to a slight decrease of its on-the-road price (without insurance) from RM171,967.20 to RM170,817.20, Volkswagen further sweetens the deal with an uprated kit count that now includes Bluetooth telephone connectivity and audio streaming, 12-way electric adjustable front seats, electric folding side mirrors, and alarm with immobilizer. Keyless entry and reverse camera remain notable and regrettable absentees from the manifest, however.
On the safety front, the Passat continues to be a class-leading preposition, offering ISOFIX mounts, dual frontal and side airbags, curtain airbag coverage for front and rear passengers, active head restraints, hill-hold control, and electronic stability control. The Passat, it is worth recapping, is rated five stars for adult protection by Euro NCAP.
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| Side mirrors now fold electrically, but not automatically upon locking. |
DSG issues?
When discussing Volkswagen cars today, questions on the reliability of the DQ200 7-speed dry clutch DSG become difficult to avoid. The problem has grown sufficiently wide-spread and well-publicized that Volkswagen sales in Malaysia last year took a considerable hit, falling from 2012’s high of 13,003 units to 9,538 units in 2013, a drop of nearly 27%.
Volkswagen assures us that active steps are being taken to resolve the matter, and switching the transmission lubrication from synthetic to more viscous mineral-based oils is claimed an adequate solution to the problem. We don’t doubt the company’s sincerity in the issue, although its effectiveness will require the passage of time to judge.
In any case, it is worth remembering that back in the day, the same conventional automatic transmissions that are being touted today as reliable bullet proof contraptions are treated with similar disdain. Being in its infancy, DSG technology is bound to experience its share of growing pains, inevitable hiccups as a result of pushing the boundaries of engineering to their limits.
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| With the 8th generation model looming on the horizon, the B7 Passat strides into its final legs. |
Driving Experience
It may have a turbocharged powertrain mated with a dual clutch gearbox, but the Passat is not what we would call the last word in sportiness, and it is to Volkswagen’s credit that it does not even try. There is a pleasing honesty to its purpose, and that allows it to convincingly achieve its objective of being a smooth and refined cruiser.
Much of the Passat’s exceptional refinement can be credited to the smooth and linear characteristics of its engine, which is obviously tuned not to exploit its maximum performance potential but rather to excel in fuel economy and refinement. The result is an engine that feels measured in its power delivery yet never found wanting when the need to pick up pace requires. It is pleasingly flexible, perfectly content to potter around at pedestrian speeds, yet just as adept at the other end of the tachometer when you need to gun it. This, mind you, is without any fancy electronics that allow you to switch between sport and economy modes.
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| Engine push-start requires the insertion of key fob into slot. No keyless entry. |
A minor complaint however, is the DSG’s lack of smoothness at low speeds. It struggles to cope with light throttle applications in stop-and-go traffic and tends to slur if you feather the throttle – sensation is similar to a driver not applying enough gas when taking off in a manual transmission. It’s a seamless operator at high speeds, however, its tall seventh ratio combining well with the TSI’s strong low-end torque to deliver effortless high speed cruising – stay on the legal side of the speed limit and you’ll barely ever need more than 2,000rpm on the tacho.
Like its engine, the Passat’s chassis appears set up with an overriding focus on comfort and refinement to the exclusion of driver engagement. It deals effectively with surface irregularities; despite not isolating or cosseting like a Japanese car, the suspension is quick to settle after being disturbed, the key benefit being an overall sense of composure that is reassuring and one that few cars can match.
The Passat is generally faithful to inputs, with all controls calibrated to give pleasing linearity in their responses. The brakes, for example, are not over-servoed the way many VW brakes are; steering tracks well around corners and suspension complements this nicely with satisfactory containment of body roll. Pity, however, there isn’t much in the way of feedback; despite impressive capabilities of the chassis, interaction between driver and car is almost non-existent.
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Verdict
The Passat is a car that is refreshingly honest to its purpose and for that, we admire it greatly. As a long distance cruiser, few cars are as capable – the 1.8 TSI engine is both hushed and economical; outstation trips will therefore not only be pleasant, but crucially easy on the wallet as well. With its tank generously-sized at 70 litres, you’ll also get to cover a lot of ground before having to refuel.
Its lack of dynamic appeal aside, the biggest criticism against the Passat is perhaps its lack of amenities. Even though it is comprehensively stocked in safety and the recent 2014 upgrade has added more equipment for reduced money, it still crucially misses out on keyless entry and reverse camera. This is a pity, because from a safety and performance standpoint, the Passat is highly convincing, and its peerless refinement gives it a bona fide claim as a highly aspirational executive vehicle.
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