Test drive Volkswagen Passat B5 2000 - 2005 sedan

White collar

The Volkswagen Passat is very popular with us, and restyling spurred by last fall spurred interest in the car. Surely you also paid attention to the Passat if you choose a middle -class model.
 
One wheel - in a business class
Just don’t think that the Passat is so popular due to the fact that it can be bought somewhere on sale. With the exception of the prestigious Mercedes, BMW and Volvo, he costs somewhat more than his classmates. Nevertheless, the Passat is bought ... a paradox? No. Firstly, the flagship of the model range of Volkswagen outside a little more, and inside is noticeably more spacious than many competitors. In addition, it is distinguished by a solid and noble appearance, and his restrained-strict interior from expensive materials looks like a strict business suit. As a result, the Passat is perceived as a car worth half a century higher in the classification hierarchy. This is one of the few middle -class models, which is appropriate not only in the role of a family sedan, but also as a service car. It is not surprising that the Passat is successful with a successful top of the middle class - highly paid specialists, managers, and middle business owners. These people know what they overpay for.
Like any German car, the Passat is very democratic. A sedan or station wagon, five different engines, three gearboxes and four equipment levels are offered a choice of the buyer. And the list of custom equipment occupies two pages. Thus, you can get both a budget car in a simple configuration and a mobile luxury island.
 
The folding sunscreen is present even over the rear view mirror
     
 
Despite the sloping shape of the roof, a solid supply of space remains above the head of the rear passengers
       

 
Volkswagen Passat
common data
 
Body
5-seater sedan
 
Equipped mass, kg
1406
 
Complete mass, kg
1990
 
Maximum speed, km/h
215
 
Acceleration time 0100 km/h, with
10.5
 
Highway fuel consumption/city, l/100 km
7.2/13.6
 
Fuel supply, l
62 (AI-95)
 
Engine

 
Location
Front, transversely
 
Design

4-cylinder, in order, in order
with two upper distributions
turbocharged
and distributed fuel injection
 
The number of valves per cylinder
5
 
Diam. cylinder x Piston stroke, mm
81.0 x 86.4
 
Working volume, SMZ
1781
 
Compression ratio
9.5
 
Power, L.S. (kW) at rpm
150 at 5700
 
Maximum torque, kgsm (nm) at rpm
21.4 at 1750
 
Chassis

 
Transmission
front -wheel drive
differential EDL
 
Transmission

5-speed automatic
Testronics with the possibility
manual switching
 
Transporting numbers
I; II; III; IV; V; h. X.
3.67; 2.0; 1.41; 1.0; 0.74; 4.1
 
Suspension
  
 
front

Independent, multi -link,
with a reptile stabilizer
 
behind
 
on longitudinal levers,
bound by a beam
with a reptile stabilizer
 
Steering
REMENCH with hydraulic power steering
 
Brakes:
front/behind
 
disk ventilated (in front) with an amplifier and abs
 
Tires
205/60 R15, Dunlop SP
 
Let's try to put ourselves in the place of a typical buyer of the Passat. A man secured, who is not twenty years old, over the years of foreign motorization of Russia, he has already been fed up with a violent dynamics and complete power over the machine. Riding in the center of the city is becoming increasingly difficult. Even the road to the cottage on Friday evening turned into a sluggish cork. That is why for acquaintance we chose a Passat with an automatic box. Moreover, according to statistics, approximately 60% of the passators are sold with machine guns with us.
The most popular in Russia and the 1,8-turbo sedan. Firstly, this engine is more powerful than the standard 2-liter, and is offered for almost the same money. Secondly, it is about $ 2000 cheaper than the V-shaped five-due to the larger working volume of the latter. Thirdly, the 1.8-turbo in Russia is preferable to diesel, which, at our price for fuel, pays off only after 150-200 thousand km of run. Finally, the most powerful 6-cylinder engine is most often offered only in the most luxurious all-wheel drive version, the price of which reaches $ 40,000.
As for one of the four performances - basic, comfortline, trendline or highline, we stopped at the last, higher. Because the German system of choosing a configuration is such that it is economically not profitable to nourish the base abundantly, it is better to buy any of the performance - it will cost cheaper. In addition, our car is equipped with xenon headlights with a washer, foglights, climate control and cast wheels. It costs $ 27,200.
Okay cut - firmly sewn
The corporate Volkswagen design is strict and businesslike - no artistic liberties. The Passat resembles a collective image of an officer of the Bundeswehr, who wants to release some joke to see whether he will understand it or frighten even more. However, it is for the restrained and visually expensive appearance that the Passat is loved. If you discard emotions and carefully examine the body, pay attention to perfectly even gaps and a dense fit of details in German. It does not cause complaints and color quality.
If the Passat is strict and solid in public, then maybe at home, behind slightly tinted glasses, it will become more relaxed and allow itself some weaknesses? Where there is complete harmony with appearance. The salon meets with laconic-strip lines, perfectly fitted details and smooth forms: no protruding elements and sharp transitions. Plus - Volkswagen quality of materials, which has become a standard for many. All together creates the impression of quality and reliability.
 
The central armrest became a wide floor box with a soft cover, which is adjusted in height and moved forward

The functionality of the cup holder is doubtful because the box inside is finished with velvet
  
Sucks of seats can be either in the color of the body, or in the tone of the upholstery of the cabin

Car for the driver ...
Once driving, first of all you note a huge range and an abundance of adjustments. A chubby three -spoke trumpet with a pleasant to the touch leather rim is adjustable in height and angle of inclination, and a sports chair with hard side rollers, among other things, changes the height and deflection of the lumbar roller. The amplitude of the longitudinal movement is especially impressive: a two -meter driver will be placed here without problems, and if you move the seat forward, a ten -year -old child will reach the pedals.
But the most vivid impression was made by the upholstery of the seats. The Germans would gladly shook their hand for the fact that for the performance of highline they developed leather along the perimeter of the chair with inserts from suede Alcantara in the center. And our dealers - because they order such cars, without fear that in Russia the salon is perceived only by leather or not leather. What a buzz is! Suede in high-speed turns holds the body, like a video clamp. Winter morning, it will not turn into ice, and in the summer - into a hot frying pan. After such a salon, I would never overpay $ 640 for completely leather seats.
In all other respects, the usual Volkswagen will recognize. A perfectly readable panel of devices with blue backlight, to which, however, you need to get used to, a convenient round switch of light to the left of the steering column, small and blind to the touch of the climate control buttons. And where is the instruction manual? Exactly. It lies on a shelf under the steering column, which is specially intended for it. Naturally, why put the instructions in a cooled glove box? This is a mini-bar ...
 
In the event of an accident for your life, a body with a rigid safety frame, anti -shift bars in the doors, bars' pretensors and two front pillows will fight for your life. To feel as protected as much as possible, you can additionally order side pillows and inflatable window curtains, which will cost $ 730.
      
 
You do not scratch the edge of the rear side with a scarg - it is carefully covered by a stainless steel lining. If you stipulate a technical package when ordering, then a 12-volt-volt-smoothing outlet will be installed in the trunk, into which you can connect a car refrigerator.
   
For passengers
When we said that the Passat was suitable for the role of a representative machine, it was not only about a visually expensive interior. How spacious the car is inside! Even when the driver's chair is pushed to the stop, the knees of a passenger sitting behind him not touch the back. And if there is not a basketball player behind the wheel, you can’t perhaps throw your leg on your leg. Even a sloping roof, which, it would seem, should lie on the head of the rear passengers, provides a reserve of space of five centimeters.
In principle, three can fit in the back sofa with some comfort, but it is obviously formed under two seats. You can, however, order an option with three head restraints and without a central armrest, the presence of which is felt with your back. In the standard version, there are two headrest adjustable in height, and a box for newspapers is located under the hinged armrest cover, in which you can install a plate with round cuts for glasses.
 
And for baggage
Outside, the trunk of the Passat is not impressive. But do not rush with conclusions. The lid opens the casket with a volume of almost half a cub. Moreover, all these 475 liters are used as efficiently as possible. The Passat will not let you down, even when the question is not in volume, but in the length of the luggage. If there are not enough regular meters of ten from the rear side to the front wall, fold the back sofa in whole or in parts and carry the lawn mower purchased along the road.
 
Governing bodies

1. Military mirrors with electroregulation and heating. 2. Door opening handle. 3. Handle of electroregulation of external mirrors.
4. Central Switch of light. 5. The rear window heating switch. 6. Alarm switches.
7. Switches and regulators of the heating intensity of seats. 8. Climate control unit. 9. Automatic gear selector.
10. The cover of ashtray. 11. The buttons of the remote renovation of the trunk and the gas tank. 12. Window buttons. 13. The central lock button.
 
 
The business card of the updated passata is a mulched radiator grille with a U-shaped chrome-colored edging and new headlights with round lines-grunts under a transparent case made of impact-resistant plastic.
  
Caution, children
In this nomination, the Passat does not really stand out. As usual, there is a children's blocking of the rear doors, windows and ISOFIX fastening on the back sofa, which allow you to rigidly install children's seats with individual seat belts. In addition, the right front pillow of safety will be disconnected to you in the technical center if the children's chair is installed against the movement. For a surcharge, you can get a couple of children's chairs built into the rear sofa. Rather, these are not chairs, but fragments of the sofa pillow that can be lifted higher.
Safety
In Russia, it begins that your car does not become a stranger. Firstly, you can stipulate the absence on the lid of the trunk of a nameplate, denoting a modification - they do not take money for this. Haivers and envious people do not have to know that the machine is equipped with a powerful V6, and even all -wheel drive. The second step is the installation at the alarm factory with a volume sensor for $ 455. For the dealer, this service is unlikely to be cheaper.
The car will take care of the preservation of the luggage itself. Not only the glove compartment, but also the folding backs of the rear sofa are locked with the key. Even if the attacker breaks the glass, he will not be able to penetrate the trunk. And leaving the store, the trunk can be opened from the keychain, without unlocking the doors. Not superfluous precaution: while you are rummaging in the trunk, something can disappear from the salon.
 
Gorgeous make -up mirrors with a pushing curtain and backlight are installed in sunscreen visors. Wife will be happy!

The wiper buttons and remote unlocking the lugs of the trunk and gas tank are grouped in one place - at the driver's door.
       
 
 
Dashboard

1. Fuel level indicator. 2. Speedometer 3. Tachometer. 4. The indicator of the temperature of the coolant. 5. Electronic odometer with a daily mileage indicator. 6. Electronic clock. 7. Multifunctional display. 8. The display of the position of the automatic gearbox selector.
Engine
 
1. Battery. 2. The tank of the main brake cylinder. 3. Expansion tank of the engine cooling system. 4. Winter washer tank. 5. The tank of the steering wheel. The oil probe .7. The lid of the flood neck for motor oil.

 
To the left of the steering column is a very convenient central light switch

The gas tank plug will not be lost at the gas station, and a sign with information about tire pressure is glued on the back of the hatch.


Various execution options
Basic
Abs
2 airbags
immobilizer
Electric drive windows and mirrors
central locking
Separate back of the rear sofa
Comfortline (+$ 650)
Front seats adjustable in height and lumbar
rear windows
velor salon
The rear armrest
chrome -based side windows
Trendoline (+$ 870)
Sports seats
Sports steering wheel
Aluminum interior decoration
skin sheathed steering, gearbox levers and parking brake
Highline (+$ 1420)
Leather-and-mowing salon
Winter package
wooden or aluminum interior decoration
chrome decoration of bumper and moldings

Six in four
The 1.8 -turbo engine is installed on many models of the concern - from golf and octavia to prestigious A6. Such popularity is explained by excellent traction-dynamic indicators with moderate fuel consumption and a very noble nature of the work.
Thanks to turbocharging with intermediate cooling, the engine develops 150 hp very impressive for its volume. Power and 21.4 kgf a torque, which allows a rather heavy Passat to take fruit starts and confidently perform overtaking at trunk speeds. But the point is not even in quantitative indicators - there are versions of 1.8 -turbo, developing 180 and even 224 liters. With. They are equipped with a high-pressure turbine with a very nervous character: up to about 2500-3000 revolutions, the motor is lucky, as an ordinary hopelessness, and then, when a turbine comes into work, shoots, like a gun. In contrast, the 150-horsepower version develops a very even and confident traction from almost idle revolutions and until the limiter is triggered. Of course, with intensive acceleration, a characteristic four -cylinder rumble seeps into the salon. But in general, the illusion is created that a powerful and noble V6 of 2.0-2.2 liters are hidden under the hood.
And it is even more pleasant that after two days of dynamic driving along suburban roads and crush in Moscow, the average fuel consumption was about 11 l/100 km. For a rather heavy machine with a machine gun - very good. Moreover, thanks to a reduced degree of compression, in a path situation we could refuel 91st gasoline, reconciled with some power loss. And Passat-V5, possessing almost the same dynamics from the 1.8-turbo, without blinking with a headlight, would swallow a couple of liters more. And everything that is below the 95th is strictly contraindicated for him.
Without a doubt, the 1.8-turbo is good. The only thing that must be remembered during the operation of any turbo engine is that it cannot be turned off immediately after stopping. Let the engine work with half a minute at idle. This is the key to the long service of the turbine.
 
Car dimensions, mm
 
Salon dimensions, mm

Your friend is a machine gun
As the theater begins with a hanger, so a good machine starts with a readable display of its operation modes. With this, the Passat is all right - there is even a light bulb that warning about the need to press the brake before taking the selector with a comfortable leather handle from the parking position. On the move, Tipronik pleased with very smooth switching and the ability to hold on to the chosen gear. When you add or release the gas slightly, the box does not jump on the gears, causing unexpectedly sharp accelerations. In order for a kik-dowan to work, everything is logical and predictable to the floor.
But what is the regime of consistent manual switching - just pampering? If you go calmly, then moving the lever, indeed, soon bothers. But before starting intensive overtaking, it is better to turn on a reduced gear in advance than to wait when the box comes up with it itself. At the same time, the inclined transmission number is clearly displayed on the dashboard. In addition, consistently switching down, you can achieve tangible braking with an engine, which is completely useful on a slippery road.
But even the manual switching mode on many issues has its own opinion. If you forgot to switch up on acceleration, then when reaching maximum revolutions, the box will do it yourself. Kick Dawn will also turn on automatically if, moving in a fixed gear, drown the gas pedal into the floor. Finally, if you have already stopped at a traffic light, without bothering to switch below the fifth, a unit will burn in the window.
We liked
 
Spacious on the back sofa. Even if the driver's seat is pushed back to the stop, the passenger's knees do not touch the back

The pupils of the foglight headlights are very small and made semi -sphere. Skiming such a headlight is not easy

   
Outdoor door handles are almost perfect in the hand and do not have sharp faces

The bumpers from below are not painted at all, so traces of contacts with curbs and compressed snow will remain almost invisible

As well as:
The rubber lining along the lower edge of the doors does not allow you to tear off the paint if the sidewalk is too high, and at the same time covers the gap between the threshold and door
 
 
We didn't like it

To control the joystick of mirror adjustment, the hand of the hand has to be unnaturally bending

The climate control buttons are practically indistinguishable to the touch

 
Blue lighting of devices requires addiction

A small right mirror, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich is almost half as the left

Quietly, reliably, for sure
On the go, the Passat conquers silence in the cabin. When under the wheels the rough asphalt, only the rustle of the tires is heard up to 100 km/h and only then the unobtrusive noise of the dissected air appears. In Wolfsburg, they worked well on the sound insulation of the engine and wheel arches. Only the measured sniffling of the turbine is listening to the acceleration, and the machine gun queue of the crushed stone scattered along the road is more likely to resemble the rake of seeds - as if a sheet of foam is glued to the body from below.
The car holds the straight line well, and in corners, despite the excessively light steering wheel, is controlled quite clearly. In general, the Passat behaves quite reliably and predictably. And only with frankly provocative buildup, the car is trying to wag the tail right and right. Therefore, if funds allow, do not pity $ 900 on the ESP dynamic stabilization system. Just in case, to feel calmer.

Russian project
The right wheel on the cross -country side, the left is on the asphalt. Start! Instead of a fountain of mud on the right and long grinding on the spot - chirping from somewhere in front and vigorous acceleration. This is the EDL differential electronic lock system slowed down the overwhelming right wheel through the ABS and forced the car to start with the left, because on the asphalt. Here it is - an involuntary adaptation to Russian roads. The EDL system is obtained in the standard all engines, starting with 1.8-turbo, and for a 2-liter surcharge.
We also drew attention to the unusually strict and muscular pendant of the passat. She meekly swallowed the tram tracks, bedridden and such deep potholes through which she should have crossed in a whisper. But the small flaws of asphalt were displayed in detail on the seats, as the profile of the bottom of the reservoir on the screen of the echolocator is reflected. Strange, because the cars brought by gray dealers from Europe were clearly softer.
The reason for such a firm nature was revealed at the Dmitrovsky auto policy, during the measurement of the road clearance. With full loading, our car refused to squat below than 130 mm, although the passport indicates 110. The growth of road clearance is due to a package for bad roads installed on all Russian cars, except for modifications with V5 and V6 engines. It includes other springs and shock absorbers, which made the suspension more stiff.
 
In the rear flashlights of the renewed passat, vertical rounds of overall lights and stop signals appeared, between which the white background lanterns were sheltered
 
So is it worth it to sacrifice sled comfort for some two centimeters? There are advocates of driver art that will say that any package for bad roads worsens the behavior of the car on the road. Yes, the Passat became tougher, and in the sled habits a little pulled away from the driver. But this is noticeable only if you transfer from a European to a Russian woman
For the answer, I went to the wave -shaped grocery road of the landfill, which is very reminiscent of a broken grader leading to many country villages. It is in such conditions that you can imagine how many bumpers, thresholds, silencers and even engines carders will save a hard suspension and extra two centimeters. No, guys, while we live in a country where the snow is not cleaned in winter, and in the spring it descends with asphalt, I will never refuse an extra two centimeters.
But adaptation to bad roads does not mean that you can now not pay attention to potholes. In the suspension of the Passat, as well as on most modern German machines, aluminum levers of complex design are used. They provide comfort and excellent sled qualities, but are afraid of strong blows. According to the experience of the passato, the levers become consumable, if there is more gas - less than the pits on the road to adhere to the Russian principle. Therefore, let a hard suspension and a large road clearance become for you just a reserve just in case.
Measure the experts of the magazine limousine
Weather
Temperature + 12
Pressure, mm Hg. Art. 743
Humidity, % 70-75
Coating dry asphalt
Weight characteristics
Equipped mass, kg 1454
Load
on the front axle, kg 904 (62%)
on the rear axle, kg 550 (38%)
Dynamic qualities
(partial load - 2 people + 25 kg)
Acceleration, C:
040 km/h 2.8
060 km/h 4.8
080 km/h 7.6
0100 km/h 10.6
0120 km/h 14.7
0140 km/h 19.7
0160 km/h 27.0
0400 m 17.5 (131.6 km/h)
01000 m 31.6 (168.7 km/h)
Maximum speed, km/h 210
Speedometer error, % 5
Elasticity, p
60-100 km/h (IV) 11.6
Kick Daun 6.0
80-120 km/h (V) 21.5
Kick Daun 7.8
Running, m
12050 km/h 1476
500 km/h 709
Braking with 100 km/h
Braking distance, m 46.8
Slow down, m/s2 8.24
Operation, service
The Passat is provided with an annual factory warranty without limiting a run. Some dealers extend it up to two years on certain conditions. A fully galvanized body should resist through corrosion for at least 12 years. Visit an authorized technical center is prescribed every 15,000 km or once a year, depending on what will come earlier.
The Volkswagen dealer network is developed quite widely in Russia. Several dealers work in large cities, between which the struggle for the client’s wallet has already been outlined. So, you can choose the best service and more favorable prices.
  
Prices for spare parts and that, USD
TO1 15,000 km $ 140
TO2 30,000 km $ 270-280
TO3 45,000 km $ 150
The cost of the rate of work is $ 32
Hood $ 301
Front wing $ 160
Rear $ 225 wing
Front bumper assembly $ 229
Rear bumper assembly $ 612
Windshield $ 184
Side glass $ 35
Front headlight assembly $ 360
Rear lamp assembly $ 115
Oil filter $ 12
Air filter $ 25
Fuel filter $ 14
Brake pads
front/rear $ 175/69
Generator belt $ 26
Front shock absorber $ 136
Rear shock absorber $ 131
Steering Tip
Front door $ 362
Rear door $ 326
Front Lower Lower $ 360
Front upper $ 94 lever
 
    
We decided:
If you need a prestigious German middle -class car, but you are not yet ready to afford a Mercedes, BMW or Audi, there is no alternative to the Passata yet.
Alexander Konov, photo Alexander Sadovnikov
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [08/01]