2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT NEW CAR BUYER'S GUIDE

What's New for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat?
For 2004, the Volkswagen Passat GLS comes standard with a Monsoon stereo system, and may be optioned with an all-wheel-drive system. As in the Golf and Jetta, a reworked turbodiesel engine making 100 horsepower and 177-pound-feet of torque is a smart, economical choice. New wheel designs spruce up the exterior, while a seatbelt reminder and fuel cap-seal warning light on the dash display let you know if either of those items is awry. OnStar telematics system makes its debut in the 2004 Volkswagen Passat. All Passats now have side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Advantages of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat:

• Wide range of engine choices
• Available in sedan or wagon, front-wheel or all-wheel drive
• Premium build quality and materials

Objections to the 2004 Volkswagen Passat:

• Depending on options, the price can veer from a good bargain to a wannabe luxury sedan.
• Not as much rear seat room as competitors
• Some luxury items, such as a navigation system, are not available

Editor's Advice:
Those seeking a family sedan will not have shopped smart without driving the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, a perennial favorite of critics and owners alike. With a refined interior and driving dynamics that mimic its more expensive German brethren without detracting from smooth-riding family comfort, the VW Passat is regarded in many circles as a sophisticated alternative to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. You can have your choice of four engines – with a turbodiesel, a turbo inline four, a V6 or, for those aspiring to own a luxury car disguised as an innocuous family sedan, a W8 – mated to either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. With a myriad of safety and luxury features, you’ll feel more attached to your Volkswagen Passat than to your average family conveyance.