If you're like many of us who grew up watching "The Brady Bunch" after a ride home from school in a reverse-facing third seat, you're probably just as curious as we are about the state of the station wagon. Specifically, what ever happened to it?
The quick and easy answer is: It was replaced by the minivan and/or SUV. But the more accurate, in-depth account has to include the "Queen Family Truckster" from the first (and funniest) "Vacation" movie. Back when the minivan and SUV weren't even a blip on the automotive sales charts, the station wagon's voyage, which had been cruising full-speed ahead since the 1950s, was torpedoed by the image of Chevy Chase sailing the hideously green and wood grain-encrusted Queen Family Truckster over an exit ramp at 50 mph. The sight of tumbling, roof-rack mounted luggage and delayed-reaction airbags was enough to send Americans scurrying to their nearest Chrysler dealer for the latest box-on-wheels which, thankfully, sported much less wood grain and much more effective safety features.
Yet, as destructive as the Queen Family Truckster may have been to the station wagon's cause, the current Passat GLS Wagon is driving proof that this vehicle class not only lives, but hungers to reclaim its title as America's people mover.
Our test Passat was a '98 model, which means that changes between it and the '99 are, um, pretty much non-existent. Volkswagen teased us with reports that its Synchro all-wheel drive system would be available on the '99 Passat sedans and wagons, but, at the last minute, decided to hold off until 2000. Concern over cannibalized Audi sales would be our first guess for the delayed Synchro option, but maybe Volkswagen is just following the current trend by manufacturers to save their best and brightest for the over-hyped 2000 model year.
As a $1,650 option, plus another $2,600 to upgrade to a V6, the lack of Synchro all-wheel drive is no big loss for the majority of Passat buyers. The GLS is still more fun to drive than any wagon has a right to be. Its base 150-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine provides more than ample thrust, especially when the turbo is spooled up. Combined with the five-speed automatic, as was our test unit, the wagon doesn't leave the starting line with tremendous oomph. But almost immediately thereafter, the turbo makes its appearance in a hearty pull on your neck muscles and a quick run through its five forward gears that will have you at 60 mph in only 8.6 seconds.
These same gears work effectively to keep the engine in its sweet zone under a wide range of conditions, including highway passing, canyon carving or L.A. slow-and-going. With the possible exception of those first 10 feet after a standing start, the 1.8-liter never felt anemic, at least not in low-altitude Los Angeles. A fully loaded Passat wagon traversing Vail Pass would likely need the larger 2.8-liter V6 to avoid being stuck in the "truck lane."
Fully loaded takes on a whole new meaning with the Passat Wagon. At 38.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity and 35.3-inches of rear legroom, you can load up the whole clan and take 'em cross-country with room to spare. (The spare, by the way, is full-sized and fits under the cargo area.) And it's more than just plenty of room for rear-seat passengers that the Passat offers. Overhead grab handles, convenient reading lights and a fold-down center armrest make passengers feel wanted, rather than tolerated. The only rear-seat related complaint was with the seat foam, which felt more supportive in the center than on the edges, thus contributing to slight sense of "tumbling outward" during cornering maneuvers. Ironically, it's the wide hip room provided by the Passat that contributes to this sensation, which, even at its worst, remained subtle.
Front seat sensations are much more evocative in the Passat, especially for the driver. In addition to the capable engine and shift-perfect tranny, the brakes and suspension offer confident and controlled driving. Whether sluicing canyons or dodging five-lane traffic, it's easy to forget you're driving a station wagon. The thin roof pillars allow for maximum visibility, while excellent steering feedback and intuitive suspension damping mean fun is always just a few turns away. Only the tires, which rolled excessively onto their sidewalls during spirited driving, kept the Passat from fully realizing its handling potential. A set of 17-inch rims with 50-series tires would have this car leaving SUVs and minivans in the dust while potentially causing concern for drivers of the stellar new BMW 3-series.
Alas, as charming as the Passat is from behind the wheel, it still needs development in a few areas. The radio in our test car, for instance, was atrocious . It sounded like a cardboard wall existed between our ears and the music, and no amount of fiddling with the bass or treble settings could cure the problem. Other Passat radios we've heard weren't this bad, so we'd like to think this was unique to our unit.
Another problem centers on the storage areas, or lack thereof. The glove compartment should be renamed the "owner's manual holder," since that's all that will fit in it, and the center console offered no usable pockets or pouches. A decent-sized compartment is located under the radio and the front doors offer map pockets, but in today's world of garage door opener trays and integrated sunglass cases, the Passat is woefully lacking in convenient storage. Did someone ask about the cupholders? No? Well, it's better that way.
Our final complaint, and perhaps the most irritating, was the hefty shock imparted by the Passat every time we exited the vehicle. It was almost like clockwork. Turn off the engine, open the door, slide out of the car, and get shocked by the first piece of metal we touched. And we're not talking those little wispy "cracks" that happen when you rub your feet on the carpet. These things hurt! One tester actually developed a system for getting out of the wagon. He would open the door, grab the steering wheel, and slide out allowing as little contact with the seat as possible. Then he would purposely touch the driver's doorframe with his forearm or elbow. He'd still get shocked, but at least it wasn't on a highly sensitive area like his fingertips or palm. Our suspicion is that the somewhat foamy, rather than truly plush, seating material creates a high level of static electricity when rubbed by cloth or denim. However, since we haven't yet confirmed this with other Passat owners, it could have been (like the flat-sounding radio) unique to this test unit.
It should be noted that despite these annoying traits, we still love the Passat Wagon. It's got those endearing Volkswagen qualities, including the purple dash lights, telepathic road feel and solid construction, that we've come to expect from this company. For a mere 22 grand you get a car that will haul people and luggage in style and comfort. It can out-handle and out-economize (21/31 mpg) a more expensive SUV, all the while providing that singular driving experience that only the Germans know how to create.
Yes, the modern-day station wagon has officially arrived. And this time, when Christie Brinkley pulls alongside in a bright red Ferrari, you don't even have to feel embarrassed to be seen in it.
Add A Comment »