2006 Volkswagen Passat 3.6 Powertrain, Engine, & Transmission Review

That's all tasty upmarket stuff, but especially delectable is the choice of powertrains. You can't go wrong with either one of the two available engines. Passat 2.0T models get the new corporate 2.0-liter FSI turbo four already admired in the Audi A3. It delivers 200 horsepower and the torque band of a much bigger motor, making it plenty strong to haul around the Passat 2.0T's bulk (around 3300 pounds).

The Passat 3.6, as its badge suggests, is powered by an engine 3.6 liters big, in this case another in the family of narrow-angle vee engines notable for their compactness and healthy outputs. Newly developed to sit transversely under the hood, the V-6's 280 horsepower is underscored by a stompin' 265 pound-feet of torque that can deliver 0-to-60-mph sprints of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 130 (it was happy to do so for long stretches of autobahn).

A six-speed manual is the standard transmission with the 2.0T, but if you don't care about shifting or a half second lost from 0-to-60, a six-speed Tiptronic automatic will cost a bit extra. At the bottom of the price heap is the Value Edition at $22,950; with the automatic, it rises to $24,025. The 2.0T models start at $23,900; add the Tiptronic, and the cost is $24,975. The 3.6 is hooked only to the six-speed automatic and starts at $29,950. When the all-wheel-drive Passat 3.6 4Motion bows later in the model year, it'll start around $32,000. Also joining the lineup in 2006 will be a station wagon, and it too will be offered with 4Motion.

In terms of offering competitive sticker prices, Volkswagen is hampered by the weak dollar against the Euro, but the higher price of admission is arguably offset by the quantity and quality of essential VW content. In this Passat, this means leatherette upholstery, A/C, an eight-speaker CD/stereo with MP3 capability, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, six airbags (not including two optional rear side bags), active head restraints, anti-theft alarm with a theft-deterrent system, multi-function trip computer, keyless entry, central power locking, remote fuel filler and trunk release switches, 60/40 split folding rear seats with pass-through tunnel, side and rear sunshades, and three auxiliary power outlets.