2006 Volkswagen Passat Sport DSG review from UK and Ireland

So far so good, nothing has gone wrong with the car yet.

When I first picked the car up from the dealer I was immediately impressed. I initially intended to get the SE, but I am so pleased I ended up with a deal on the sport. I am also pleased I went for reflex and not the blue tint silver.

The DSG is designed for use with the steering wheel toggle switches to control the gears as it was first developed by Audi for use in motor sport. Having said this I have found the steering wheel gear controls of little use for every day driving. The transmission has worked well so far and the sport mode ads urgency and holds the gears for longer if you need the extra pace.

Extra pace, especially in town comes at a price. The 140bhp car has plenty of pace, I am glad I chose it. I coveted the 170bhp, but feared losing my licence. Now that I have experienced the 140 I feel vindicated. I reserve that kind of fun for my BMW R1200GS, which is a heap of fun at legal speeds.

I am not sure I would have been satisfied with the drive of the SE. The Sport seems to balance comfort with god grip well and keep one safely away from the title ‘boat’. I am extremely pleased with the drive of this car.

The cabin is spacious front and back, the seats could have been a tad softer. The dual zone air con is easy to use and in combination with the steering wheel controls and DSG stick just give the car all the class necessary, alternative, more expensive marques (that I have previously owned) become a style choice.

My over all impression of the car is so far, so very good. I only hope I do not need to post in the future that in the long run it did not last. It does feel as if it should.

Oh, and by the way, there is a reassess in the boot lid that helps one to close it without greasing up ones recently washed car which I only stumbled across (saw the valet guy use it). There are many thoughtful things like this around the car.