Engine: 3.6-liter dohc 24-valve V6

Engine Options: 200-hp 2.0-liter dohc 16-valve turbocharged inline-4; 280-hp 3.6-liter dohc 24-valve 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 side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags, three-point safety belts, emergency locking retractors, crash-active front headrests, safety belt power pretensioners for driver and front passenger, ABS, ESP, Brake Assist, tire-pressure monitor

Optional Safety Equipment: rear-passenger side-impact airbags

Basic Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles

Assembled In: Germany

Model Tested: Volkswagen Passat 3.6L sedan ($29,960)

Standard Equipment: air conditioning; 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: rear center pass-through armrest with storage compartment: 10-way partial power driver seat with 4-way power adjustable lumbar support: 60/40 split folding rear seat: premium stereo with in-dash six-disc CD changer, MP3, Sirius and auxiliary input jack: metallic-look interior trim: leatherette seat trim: rear passenger heat and AC outlets: pollen and odor filter: power window with pinch protection: heated exterior side mirrors; remote trunk and fuel filler door releases

Options as Tested: Package 1 Luxury ($3,250) includes leather comfort seats, 12-way power driver and passenger seats with 3-position memory for driver seat and exterior mirrors; heated driver and passenger front seats, heated washer nozzles, dual-zone Climatronic air conditioning; wood and brushed-aluminum interior trim, including walnut shift knob; leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with audio controls; automatic headlights with coming-home feature; fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, Homelink, switchable auto-dimming interior mirror; Park Distance Control; manual rear and side sunshades; storage net in trunk; Bi-Xenon headlamps with Adaptive Front Lighting System and washers ($950), Dynaudio premium sound system ($1000); 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/40HR18 all-season tires and sport suspension ($600); DVD navigation with glovebox-mounted six-disc CD changer ($1,800)

Destination Charge: 630

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/NA/41.4 inches

Head/Hip/Leg Room, m: inches

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

Trunk Volume: 14.2 cubic feet

Payload:

Suspension, f: independent, MacPherson struts with lower wishbones, coil springs, anti-roll bar

Ground Clearance: 5.2 inches

Curb Weight: 3576 pounds

Towing Capacity: 3300 pounds

Tires: 235/40HR18

Brakes: vented disc/solid disc with ABS, Brake Assist

Fuel Capacity: 18.5 Gallons