The mid-size Passat sedan grows up with a new design in 2006 that positions this car closer to the luxury class. Passat's body expands by three inches in length and width, which translates to more room for riders in the five-seat passenger compartment.

VW casts two Passat models segmented by powertrain. Passat 2.0T is the entry issue in front-wheel-drive (FWD) format with a new 2.0-liter four-in-line engine below the hood. It adds a turbo-charger and direct fuel injection to generate 200 hp through a manual six-speed transmission or six-speed electronic automatic with Tiptronic sequential shifter. Passat 3.2 VR6 is the uplevel trim using a 3.6-liter V6 cranked to 280 hp. VW's 4Motion AWD system is optional on the VR6 version, where standard equipment includes curtain-style air bags and ESP, leatherette seat trim, twin-zone automatic climate controls and a deluxe sound system with six-disk CD changer.

VW's subcompact series of three-door and five-door hatchbacks use a stiff platform fitted with precise mechanical controls like power rack and pinion steering, an independent suspension and disc brakes. Golf continues in two trims as the base GL and uplevel GLS.

A naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine worth 115 hp is standard, but VW's direct-injection 1.9-liter turbo-diesel with unit-injector technology is available for 100 hp and high fuel economy ratings. For 2006, several models fade away (the three-door GL and five-door GL TDI) as VW awaits the arrival of an entirely new design for Golf in the spring of 2006.

A variation of the Golf three-door hatch with firm suspension settings and superior equipment goes by the tag of GTI. VW's 1.8-liter turbo four-pack is the powertrain here for the 2006 GTI GLS, delivering 180 hp through a five-speed Tiptronic automatic. GTI's cabin pitches two bucket seats in front of a two-place jump seat with space in the hatchback bay for gear.

Heated seats and heated windshield washer nozzles go to the list of standard equipment for GTI 2006, along with ESP and 17-inch alloy wheels. As with Golf, a revised GTI riding on the new platform of Golf arrives early in 2006.

Crisp body styling for the Jetta sedan features a brash face with chrome grille flanking oversized corner lamps and aerodynamic lines sweeping up a canted windshield and across the arching roof. Jetta's five-seat cabin has more room than a car in the compact class should contain and more fine materials and fancy appointments than a car with affordable price points usually provides.

Primary powertrain is VW's 2.5-liter five-cylinder plant making 150 hp. A new 2.0-liter four-pack with turbo-charging and direct injection nets 200 hp for Jetta 2.0T or GLI and ties to a six-speed manual or optional six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) automatic Tiptronic. Jetta Value Edition is the entry issue with the 2.5-liter plant plus a lower MSRP, and Jetta TDI brings a 1.9-liter turbo-diesel worth 100 hp. Bi-xenon HID headlights are now standard on the GLI, with a DVD navigation system optional on Jetta's top models. (...BACK)