Engine: 3.6-liter dohc V6

Engine Options: 200-hp 2.0-liter dohc turbocharged inline-4; 280-hp 3.6-liter dohc V6

Transmission: 6-speed automatic w Tiptronic

Transmission Options: 6-speed manual; 6-speed Tiptronic automatic

Standard Safety Equipment: driver and passenger front airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted airbags, side curtains, three-point safety belts, emergency locking retractors, crash-active front headrests, safety belt power pretensioners for driver and front passenger, ABS, ESP, Brake Assist

Optional Safety Equipment: rear-passenger thorax airbags

Basic Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles

Assembled In: Germany

Model Tested: Volkswagen Passat 3.6L ($29,950)

Standard Equipment: single-zone climate control, anti-theft alarm, Immobilizer III theft deterrent system, cruise control, electronic parking brake, tire pressure monitoring system, manual tilt/telescoping four-spoke steering wheel, four cupholders, multi-function trip computer with digital compass, remote central locking, ambient interior lighting, dual front and rear reading lights, three auxiliary power outlets, illuminated glovebox, front center armrest with integrated storage box and adjustable cooling feature, rear center pass-through armrest with storage compartment, 10-way partial power driver seat with 4-way power adjustable lumbar support and memory, 60/40 split folding rear seat, premium stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer, metallic look interior trim, leatherette seat trim, rear passenger ventilation, pollen and odor filter, power window with pinch protection, remote trunk and fuel filler door releases

Options as Tested: Package #2 Luxury ($5,250) includes leather comfort seats, wood trim, leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel, walnut shift knob, automatic headlights with coming home feature, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, heated driver and passenger front seats, heated washer nozzles, heated exterior side mirrors with environmental lighting, dual-zone Climatronic, Homelink, switchable auto-dimming interior mirror, 12-way power driver and passenger seats with 3-position memory for driver seat and exterior mirrors, manual rear and side sunshades, storage net in trunk, bi-xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System and washers, Dynaudio premium sound system, park distance control; 18-inch alloys with 235/40-18 all-season tires ($400); DVD navigation with glovebox-mounted six-disc CD changer ($1,800)

Destination Charge: 615

Gas Guzzler Tax:

Layout: front-wheel drive

Horsepower: 280 @ 6200

Torque: 265 @ 2750

Miles Per Gallon in the City/Highway: 19/28

Wheelbase: 106.7 inches

Length/Width/Height in Inches: 188.2/71.7/58.0 inches

Track Front/Rear: 61.1/61.1 inches

Turning Cycle: 35.8 feet

Seating Capacity: 5 people

Head/Hip/Leg Room, f: 38.4/55.7/41.4 inches

Head/Hip/Leg Room, m: inches

Head/Hip/Leg Room, r: 37.8/54.6/37.7 inches

Trunk Volume: 14.2 cubic feet

Payload:

Suspension, f: independent

Ground Clearance: 5.2 inches

Curb Weight: 3829 pounds

Towing Capacity: 3300 pounds

Tires: 235/45R17

Brakes: disc/disc with ABS, Brake Assist, EDL

Fuel Capacity: 18.5 Gallons