Volkswagen Passat 2005 and earlier

big_guy

The big thing coming for the Passat is the W8 engine . . . which I understand is due to be stateside late spring (at least that is what the VW rep told me at the Auto Show here in the middle of January).

The W8 is a 4.0L, 32 valve, 8 cylinder engine that generates 271HP and 273 lbs.ft. and is supposed to propel the Passat from 0 to 60 MPH in 6.5 seconds (w/ manual tranny). The W8 will also come standard with 4-Motion, heated power seats, power glass sunroof, 8 speaker Monsoon stereo, Xenon headlights and more. The W8 Passat is supposed to sticker at $37,900.

ePaterline

Hi! I am a VW Jetta owner who is ready to dump my family car (not the Jetta) and buy a new Passat. In test driving the new Passats I was somewhat surprised to find that the seats did not seem comfortable. The velour seats in the Passat seemed shorter than those in my Jetta - my leg was not supported well but they felt comfortable enough. I also test drove a Passat with the leather package. The leather seats were HARD, especially the seat back which felt like a flat perpendicular board. Very uncomfortable! I am told the leather seats get more comfortable with age. What has been the experience of owners who have had their cars over six months? Does the leather get comfy? Are the seats as short as they feel? I was going to buy a Passat this week, but I think I'll "sit" on my decision for a while.

mlayton694

Funny you mention it, they were a bit hard when I took delivery, after 5k miles or so they do seem more broken in, very comfy. Also, I sense that the 1.8t is much more responsive than the first 2.5k miles,

jimmyb7

Hi! I got the tinted side markers from the VW drivergear catalog installed on my new 2002 1.8T. It's a small detail, but it looks better than the vanishing clear plastic of the stock side marker. Doesn't cost much either. Another style improments (OK, this is debatable) was to order the 1.8T badge from a Jetta and stick it on the trunk lid. Hey, if A4's can mention their 1.8T's I figure Passats can, too.

vwguild

I hope that you are sitting down...I have to assume that your Professional Sales Person failed
to show you the *Lumbar Support* adjuster on
the Seat...actually there is one on the passenger
side as well...The seat backs can, very easily,
be adjusted from firm to soft...

turner555

I'm currently shopping for a VW..only decision is the Passat 1.8 or a Jetta VR6. Jetta can have the goodies (lux pkg, etc.) but the Passat will probably just get the auto. I know, I know, but the wife hates manual trannies.

Since I'm trading in a 2000 Civic EX, (off lease) which car in your opinion is more bang for the buck? I have two kids 3yrs and an infant. Both trunks seem cavernous compared to the Civic. I'm not so sure of the interior space of the Jetta. Civic are SMALL when you put in a wife and two kids in car seats.

So...a stripped Passat or a "sort of " loaded Jetta? Vr6(Jetta) or 1.8t(Passat)? Would I miss a lot in stripped Passat as my Civic had the sunroof, CD, etc.?

merckx

Hard seats-this is an issue for many.But it's like the hard/sort seat issue on bicycles.But first,Guild is right,the lumbar might just need adjusting. I think the Passat seats are superlative-they might LOOK smaller than the Jetta's,but that's probably just because they are in the larger Passat interior cavity.
A hard seat might SEEM uncomfortable(new Mercedes owners sometimes make this comment)but in the long run a "hard" seat I find most comfortable.
Jetta/Passat-No contest. I'm in a loaner Jetta TDI this week while my 2001 stripped(NO extras)Passat is being adjusted. The Jetta is nice,but the Passat is just a whole other level of car. I don;t miss extras at all,but I admit this first manual shift of mine still adds a whole other level of driving.If you are a car lover at all,I suggest you and your wife consider learning to drive a stick. All can master it,and it adds a lot of fun.
But still,an automatic Passat would be a very practical purchase with a bit of sport thrown in.I totally love mine.

nyccarguy

Go with the Passat. My sister has a Jetta and It is a wonderful car, but like merckx said: The Passat is a whole other level of car (even stripped). I also fear you will outgrow the Jetta very quickly.

rogerab

My wife has had her 2002 GLS 1.8T auto,leather & luxury package for about a month. I have a 2000 Infiniti I30T. We both prefer her car. I also find the VW seats are more suportive than the Infiniti and the driving position is much better.
I also like the 1.8T engine and the acceleration is acceptable with the auto transmission.
My next car may also be a Passat.

wmquan

Get a Passat. You may lose out on some bells and whistles but I think you'll find the Passat is not stripped at all. The Jetta is a fine vehicle but I'm afraid you've outgrown it, or will outgrow it pretty soon.

- Your kids are not going to get any smaller.
- If you think your 2000 Civic is a bit small, try putting the kids and their car seats into the back of the Jetta.
- While both vehicles are quite safe, the Passat will do better in a crash simply because of its higher weight and more crumple space.
- So far the Passat 4-cylinder is rated significantly ahead of the Jetta sedan in terms of reliability by Consumer Reports. Maybe if you got the Jetta wagon it'd have better reliability (Jetta wagon built at the German plant instead of at the Mexican plant).

vocus

If you want a family car, get the Passat. I have a 2002 1.8T Jetta and sometimes take my friend and her 2 kids (in car seats) out. It's a hassle! I always have to move the front seat up so they have adequate leg room in the back. The back seat on the Jetta is way too small! I am definitely going to upgrade to the Passat when I get another car.

As far as luxury items, the Passat and Jetta both beat the Civic hands-down. The appearance of the interior is so much richer looking on both cars than the Civic. Also, both come with a CD player standard. Sunroof is $1250 on the Jetta (with alloy wheels) and $1550 on the Passat (with alloys and a rear sunshade). These cars come pretty well equipped though. You could also ask about having an aftermarket sunroof put in if you wanted to. That's about $1000 I think.

So if I were you, I would choose a stripped Passat (still pretty well equipped) over a kinda-loaded Jetta.

grelpe

Re your message #2731 - Thanks for your most helpful input about the V6 vs 1.8 question. That's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for - engine noise and vibration is something I would never have thought about on a test drive, unless it was very obvious of course, especially with the salesperson yacking at me in the passenger seat.
The 1.8's better fuel efficiency is also an important factor.
And since you brought it up, now I'm also looking into the Audi A4 1.8T. Have you noticed all the negative feedback on the Audi owners' board about maintenance problems? Not very encouraging. Oh well...the search for the perfect car continues.

krzyss

If you live in Vermont I would suggest dedicated wheels with winter tires. Do you drive on snow ? Do you drive on ice ? Dou you drive on slush ? Do you drive on dry road ? (all in winter).
You can get tires which handle ice and snow very well but are not so good on dry and wear like crazy on dry (original Blizzak and I think Michelin Artic). Others (Blizzak LM22 (?) and Artic Pilot Alpin) are trading ice handling for high speed capabilities.
All seasons are trying to be everything at once and they cannot. If you drive in winter on plowed roads which are wet or dry and ocasional slush then all seasons should be enough (check Dunlop SP 5000 too) but as additional insurance I strongly suggest separate sets of winter and summer wheels with tires.

Krzys

PS For the guy with two kids I would suggest checking wagons, both Passat and Jetta. You need as big trunk as possible ;-)
We have 97 Passat wagon and its cargo space is used to maximum from time to time. Extra perk is additional headroom for rear seat passangers.

markcincinnati

I agree the Dunlop Sp5000's are worth considering too. Look at the feedback pertaining to the Yokohama AVSdb's and the Dunlops -- contrast the price, and if all seasons are your choice, you will not be unhappy with either.

I perhaps have made an assumption since I lurk on the Passat and Audi town-halls that your Passat is All-Wheel-Drive. If it IS, I would think that the Ultra High Performance All season tires would probably be a good choice if you do not want to change tires in winter and summer (or more realistically tire/wheel combinations).

If you do not have AWD, I would probably lean more toward dedicated summer and winter tires and avoid the all season route altogether.

So, again, I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that Passats are AWD -- and I, of course, know that that is not necessarily a valid assumption.

However, while I'm assuming, I would strongly recommend the AWD Passats -- especially if you live where there is "weather" other than dry pavements. Perhaps you have seen the Passat commercial with the guy behind the wheel wondering what it would be like to be in an AWD Passat as the camera backs away from his face and you can see that he is in a car that is spinning out of control down the highway while a Passat travels in a straight line in the other direction. What a cool ad.

usn

I have a 2001.5 Passat GLS V6, and my 22 year old daughter has a 2001 Jetta GLX V6; both with automatics. The Passat is better in almost every aspect, except hard cornering, (our Jetta has the 17" wheels with the sport suspension; a rough ride on poorly maintained roads). The Passat has an improved chasis, much tighter than the Jetta's, which isn't bad. The interior space, notably in the rear seat is far superior. Actually the rear seat in the Jetta is not comfortable for adults and teenagers. There is really no comparison in light of your growing family; the Passat would be a far more practical choice. The best value for you would probably be the 1.8T Passat GLS with the luxury package, (sunroof, alloy wheels), and the great 5 speed automatic with tiptronic. If you could accept the manual trans., you would save $1,100, and bring the car down to less than $24,000. Now is a good time to bargain also. I don't know of any dealers who wouldn't discount to you.

pkradd

I''ll agree on his asessment of the Passat. I have a 2001.5 1,8T with Tiptronic, Lux Package, Monsoon and Homelink (seems to be standard set up for many sold). I also have the velour seats and not the leather. Wonderful car, plenty of room. It's also a good value considering that you get a German made car, beautifully finished inside and out and fun to drive. This model of the Passat should be the best as far as reliability because of the many upgrades and changes VW made in the manufacturing process. Go for it or the Wagon!

birdboy1

Hi everyone, thanks for all your postings. We have a great group out there. I have learned so much as well as sharred ideas . this morning my malfunction lamp went on my 2002 passat 1.8t. Thanks to the boards I did not freak, I checked the gas cap and it seemed tight. I also noticed in the smallest print a warning on the cap cover that not tightening it could cause this lamp to go on.I called the service department and they said to try lowering the octane as I only use 93 octane, the fuel may be too rich. This sounded a bit off to me as the manual reccomends 92. He also said that if there is no smell, or poor performance it should go off after about 50 miles. If not, bring it in for service.
Could someone tell me if this advice sounds reasonable. What solutions were used for you?
Thanks very much in advance...

shrek1

I am currently looking at the Accord, new Altima, and Passat and will buy in the next few months. I have never owned a manual and maybe only driven one 5 times in my life, but I am intrigued by it. Do most people prefer the manual or tiptronic automatic? Also, does anyone have any major maintenance issues w/ the Passat or had any problems w/ the 4-cylinder turbo?

mbnut1

I've yet to drive the new 2002 A4 but I have sat in and started it. The engine vibration in it seems improved over the last A4 and current Passat and I would probably find it acceptable. The chassis is more advanced than the current Passats. Only downsides are it's higher price, smaller back seat and you pretty much have to buy quattro or you will lose out on resale.

ePaterline

I have the Jetta because it is a fun commute car. I would never try to use it as normal family tansport. If you want some fun while being a responsible family man, get the stick shift.

Ed

shrek1

I am currently looking at the Accord, new Altima, and Passat and will buy in the next few months. I have never owned a manual and maybe only driven one 5 times in my life, but I am intrigued by it. Do most people prefer the manual or tiptronic automatic? Also, does anyone have any major maintenance issues w/ the Passat or had any problems w/ the 4-cylinder turbo?

ePaterline

VWGuild, Merck, Thanks for the info on the seats. As a matter of fact the pimple faced sales kid had only been selling VWs for three weeks. I had to tell him that the 1.8T with stick had much more bounce per ounce than the Tiptronic. He didn't even know the changes that had been made from the 2001 Passat to the 2002. I tried adjusting the seat back, but not the lumbar support. I'll check it out!!!

nlm2

We were in the same boat that you are. We were trying to decide between the Jetta or Passat. We have two boys - 5yr & 1.5yr. After driving both & sitting in the back seats we felt that the Jetta was a little too small in the rear (especially as the boy's grow). I'm glad we went with the Passat. Have had the car about a month now & am very pleased. Have the 1.8T w/5spd & am impressed with the combination of power & mpg. Good luck on your decision!

turner555

Thanks so much for all of your postings. I'm looking at a Passat now. Although the Jetta seemed fun, the two kids, car seats and 'stuff' will fill the space in a Passat's trunk.

Anyone have opinions on spending an extra $2000 for the V6? Worth it?

Only decision is tip or manual. Since it's 'my' commuter car (15 miles of stop&go traffic) I'm leaning towards the tip...but I did love my manual tranny in my old CRX..I 'drove' the car. If that's the case, I'll save $1000 and get the lux package.

I stopped by a VW dealer here in NJ after hours. Seems the tip, monsoon and homelink is a standard. Final decision is the financing. I'm looking at the traditional lease or VW's "Driver's Option"..a combo of lease payments with better options to buy later. Anyone have experience with that?

ePaterline

Shrek

When deciding between Tiptronic or stick ask yourself two questions:
1. How much do you drive in the city or in stop and go traffic? 2. How important is engine and handling performance?

If you do a lot of stop and go or city driving, you will probably prefer the Tiptronic. All the magic of driving a clutch quickly turns to pain in traffic. If engine performance and handling are important and you like to control the engine RPMs to get maximum torque or mileage, then the stick is probably the way to go. The 5 speed improves the performance of the 1.8T engine noticeable. The clutch in the new Passat is amazingly easy to use. You would have to work hard to accidently peel out or stall one.

Drive both and see for yourself!

markcincinnati

The stick shift will provide more control, performance and fun. And, your gas milage will probably improve over the Tip.

rogerab

A space under the steering wheel is the perfect size for the owners manual. Is it supposed to be stored there?.

chewyman

Have a new A4Q in the family. My impressions are that the A4 is a much more refined car than the current Passat. I know it has similar architecture but the fit and finish is at a higher level. The doors on the Passat are hard and clunky to close. The A4 sounds like a safe but the action is smooth like a Japanese car. The interior materials, the door sill guards are all of a much higher quality. The A4 is definitely quieter and smoother. You just get what you pay for. The Passat is not an A4. It feels much more planted on the road. Little smaller back seat but higher price.

chewyman

Just added an A4 to the family. The Passat does not have the quality of interior that the A4 does. The doors on the Passat are stiff and clunky to close. The Audi feels and sounds like a safe. The action is also very smooth like a Japanese car. The A4 feels much more refined all the way through the car. The interior is nicer and the ride is quieter and smoother. Both have same power trains. The Audi feels planted and the Passat feels a little more floaty. The A4 does take bumps better and the ride seems to roll where the Audi has very little body lean. I guess you get what you pay for. The Audi feels like a luxury car. The Passat is nice but it's not an A4.

pkradd

Those "hard and clunky" doors are not that. The doors are ratcheted so that they can be opened and stay in 3 positions! The Audi, of course, is more expensive than the Passat. Reviewers far and wide like the Passat. Not as fancy as the Audi, but you pay less for a very fine car. Fit and finish are the same on both. Both are excellent cars.

pat

A major newspaper is looking to interview folks who learned how to drive stick in their adulthood, and either fell in love or hated it. Also welcome is any input on why people love to drive stick, and any unusual anecdotes about how you learned etc.

Hope to hear from you before Feb 22 via the Talk to the Press discussion or at jfallon@edmunds.com with your thoughts and contact information.

Thanks as always,

Jeannine Fallon
PR Director, Edmunds.com

merckx

Cliches are usually just that-cliches.The Passat is a WAY better value than the A4. You're mistaken about the doors and the back seat-the Audi's is very much smaller. I will concede the Audi has a more overtly sporting nature,and that's worth something,true. But there is no great difference in either materials or build quality.
Here in the states,the Vee-Dub has a rather lackluster image. But in Europe it is a badge that is assumed to cost more because of that badge,not unlike the Audi stateside.
The A4 is a good car,but the rising beltline,done in the name of "sport" gives the back seat too much claustrophobia. That would stop me right there.

chewyman

merckx I agree the passat is a good value no argument there when compared to Camry's, etc. But comparing it to an Audi I think the price difference is warranted. Yes the Audi A4Q costs more but it is a better machine. As far as the back seat high belt line claustrophobia, it is a non-issue. Passengers, kids and grandmothers sit in the back. There usually small anyway. If they are a little cramped I don't care. If I did I'd buy a minivan. I'm talking about the performance and the quality. Drive an A4Q and you will see the difference, it is very noticeable. Smoother, quieter, more responsive etc. I'm not saying that a Passat is bad but an audi is more refined. Back to the cliche "you get what you pay for", that is the reason VW charges less $ for a VW than for an Audi. I know you will agree it costs more to build an Audi. As far as the materials and build quality between the two, just sit in the Audi, look around, go over to a Passat and compare and I think you will see the obvious differences. No airbag seams, smooth seamless dash, the use of brushed stainless steel to separate the upper from the lower instrument panels, the fabric used on the headliner, the sill guards are thick and substantial not like thin nonskid stickies that are on the Passat. Even the quality of the plastic on the dash board and through out the car is of a superior quality. The chasis, suspension are also not the same. My passat has noticeable body lean but not the Audi. The Passat takes bumps better but it definitely does not handle better. These are tradeoffs due to the cars tuning - family comfort vs. sport handling. The difference in price is a personal preference. But I think when you factor in resale Audi vs. Passat it does become somewhat less.
The Passat takes you close to the Audi but does not quite make it all the way.

vwguild

does not represent any competition for the Passat.

I just hooked up my best friend with a Six-Speed
3.0L A4...$39,250.00 in Dolphin Grey with grey
leather...Absolutely beautiful car!!!!BUT...A
great alternative for $32,125.00 is the Passat
GLX 4MOTION...$7,125.00 for a lttle holiday...

rogerab

We were also considering the new A4 however I would not pay a lot more money for a car with the same engine that has leatherette (vinyl) upholstery. Leather is not available on the 1.8T A4.

fl980

Have had my 2002 1.8T Auto with Luxury Package, 6 CD Changer and Homelink, paid $23,700 for 5,000 miles. No problem yet.

mbnut1

The leatherette in the A4 is barely distinguishable from the real thing and probably wears better over time. The seats in my A4 are one of the cars high points as far as comfort and style and after 4 years and 60k miles they look new. I wish that the Passat base interior was the Audi leatherette. There would be little reason to buy the leather.

screwloose

My '02 1.8T Tip Passat will hesitate only slightly if I stop short then IMMEDIATELY accelerate from a standstill. This is not a 3-4 secs hesitation as described by others, but a "slight" hesitation in order for the trans to downshift to 1st and then take off from idle. Also please keep off the brake pedal when accelerating from a stop or you just might experience "major hesitation". Just don't even touch it.

pkradd

Screwloose is right . It's a matter of pedal "management". Also your Passat will learn your driving habits somewhat... for some that may mean not letting you get in! (Just kidding). I love my 2001.5 Passat and it's the best car I've had in a lonnnnnnnng time. Sales have increased month to month from last year.

jrosasmc

Even to the present day, does the Jetta still outsell the Passat? And has the Jetta always outsold that model?

pkradd

The Jetta does indeed still outsell the Passat in North America. Go to vw.vortex.com for sales figures. Right now the Passat is gaining and the New Beetle is declining in sales.

mulligan2

If you drive them both you will notice the difference. The Passat is a family car with sporty handling. The A4 is a sports sedan with much tighter handling. The trade-off is the A4 ride is firmer(goes with the handling)and the back seat is smaller, so you have to set your priorities. In addition, you cannot get a manual or the 1.8t with 4 motion. The A4 1.8t quattro with a 5 speed is one of the best automotive values. Get the 16" wheels, a sunroof, heated seats and the premium package and you are still sub 30k. Also, do not scoff at the leatherette until you have tried it. The best wearing car interior I ever had was MB-tex, the Mercedes leatherette.

cliffyb

Say what you want about the many subtle or not so subtle(price) differences between the passat and A4 but when it comes down to it, the Passat is more often than not picked as the best in it's class while the A4 is RARELY anyone's favorite in it's class. If you are going to spend over $30k for a compact sports sedan then get a beemer.

mulligan2

What about this? "Not only does the A4 look dazzling with the fat rubber and attractive five-spoke wheels, but it also grips the road tenaciously. Working in concert with higher-effort steering, an upgraded braking system and standard stability control, the sport suspension keeps the car glued to the ground without substantial harshness over pockmarked pavement. Add quattro to the mix, and you've got an all-weather handler that is hard to beat. We decided after one series of high-speed S-curves that we'd rather drive an Audi A4 quattro equipped with this suspension than any other all-wheel-drive sedan in the entry-luxury class." Written bt none other than your Edmunds hosts. One drive will tell you that the Passat and the A4 are different types of cars. They are both fine examples of their type but they are not the same.

chewyman

Cliffyb I agree that the Passat is a nice car for the family and that it delivers well for the class it falls in. Even though the price wanders on the high end for the class. Other competitors are Camry, Accord etc. You are correct that the A4 competes with the BMW. But a stripper A4 can be had for less than a 4-moPassat. My A4, 1.8T, 5 spd, Xenons, 6 disk cd, heated seats front and back, Sunroof, Quattro and Electronic Stability Control, 16" 5 spoke alloys with Pirellis and a few other goodies can be had for $28,700 (disc.from $30,300 MSRP). This is less than a 4-MoPassat and I believe a bargain. You can't get a BMW with four wheel drive for $28K.
I agree with mulligan and my experience confirms Edmunds view. A trip through the S-curves makes the choice oh so clear.

nlm2

Chewyman - looks like you got a great deal on your Audi ($1600 off sticker). About 6 weeks ago I tried to deal on one here in the Dallas area and the salesman said they "would match Edmunds TMV price". I was excited just for a few seconds till the salesman pulled the TMV price up on his PC and it was only $300 off sticker! They wouldn't budge any further. Then we drove a Passat & got a great deal so bought it. I agree that A4 felt a little more solid & sporty but the Passat is nearly as good, IMO.

trmichaels

rogarab made a great observation (see #2778) about a cubbyhole under the Passat's steering column, which is perfectly sized for the Owner's Manual. I never would have found this! The manual fits in there great, and there are even two plastic "spring clips" on the upper side of the cubbyhole to hold the book in place. I wonder why this isn't mentioned in the manual? For a car with precious little storage space, it is a great discovery. I was tired of keeping that dang manual on the seat! It wouldn't fit in any of the car's other storage areas (exc. trunk!)

jrct9454

I know this is tangential, but one of our local Sacto VW dealers is advertising Jetta TDIs this weekend. The price is unimportant; my question to you, as a Calif VW salesperson, is can I now order any of the various TDI models for Calif delivery? There were severe restrictions on CA availability in the past, so I have pretty much given up. My primary interest would be in a German-built car, e.g. the Jetta Wagon or the 4dr Golf, with automatic and TDI. What is the latest news for CA customers on these cars?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for this being a non-Passat topic - you can reply to my email if that works better for you and the rest of the group here.

markcincinnati

I am not a Bimmer Basher, in that I do think BMW's are great cars under some conditions and never horrible cars under any condition.

Then, however, factor in the price and the BMW declines a notch or two. The VW/Audi group, thus far, produces cars that generally rival the performance of BMW's for less money. When price is an object -- and when is it not? -- the cars from the VW/Audi group often leave the Munich Machines seeing their tail-lights. Upcoming models from VW/Audi may futher leave Bimmer's behind (of course the competition will improve both BMW and VW/Audi and Mercedes too).

Take the upcoming W8 Passat for example -- US list price fully equipped $37,900. Try buying a Bimmer in that price range with that equipment for that much money. And note that to compare even remotely equitably, the Bimmer will be an "x" (all wheel drive) model.

Heck, try to buy a Bimmer that will offer the combination of performance, features, safety and fun for thousands more than the W8 Passat and it will still be a difficult task.

On the one hand it will take a 5 series to rival the size and comfort of the Passat, on the other the 5 series unless you get to the V8 model will be no match for the VW 8 cylinders and then the price differences will intstantly pass 5 figures (in favor of the Passat, of course). On the other hand a 330xi is a terrific car -- but it will be more money than the W8. And, the Passat has (according to the auto press) had the suspension retuned -- for more sport less body roll, that is. The Passat will, therefore, not show poorly in handling (if the press is correct, that is) when compared with the Bimmer 330xi.

Most Bimmers should be compared with other excellent RWD cars from Germany, Europe, Japan and perhaps the US (the new CTS for example). Cars that were conceived to contain the engineering "soul" of Dr. Piech still are in a class by themselves -- check out the Phaeton for example.

Let the debate commence.

mcrensha1

I recently purchased a A4 Avant 1.8t. I was set on buying a passat GLX, becasue I wanted the leather, 4-motion, and all the luxury goodies. When I got to the dealorship (VW & audi), I saw that I could buy a 1.8t Q A4 for about 28K, 3-4 less than the passat. No contest! The audi has been the best car, sure a bimmer may be the best in the class, but I would have paid whole lot more. I never thought I could afford the audi. So I gave up some space to score better in every category, I didn't need back seat room anyway, who cares about it, as I read in a previous post, if that was my concern I would have gotten a minivan.
For those of you who say you got more car for the money in a passat, not necessarily!! You got more weight for sure. And with the 4 years free maint. I got with the audi the price differnce grows even more. I'm not knocking the passat, but if you can sacrifice some space the A4 is the ticket.