The station wagon. For many, it conjures images of childhood road trips and perhaps, a vehicle choice driven more by necessity than desire. Often overshadowed by the SUV craze and the allure of crossovers, the wagon body style, like the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon, offers a unique blend of practicality and driving enjoyment that’s often missed in today’s market. Is it time to reconsider the wagon, especially a well-rounded example like the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review to find out why this vehicle might be a surprisingly smart choice, particularly on the used car market.
Performance and Engine Options
Don’t let the family-friendly wagon silhouette fool you. Under the hood, the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon, especially the 2.0T model, packs a punch that can genuinely surprise. Think of it as a sleeper hit – it looks practical, but it performs with the spirit of something much sportier. Our test vehicle, the 2.0T, came equipped with Volkswagen’s acclaimed turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This powerplant churns out a healthy 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque. What does this mean in real-world driving? It translates to brisk acceleration and confident highway merging and passing. The turbocharger ensures that power is readily available across the rev range, minimizing turbo lag and providing a responsive feel.
Mated to this engine is a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. This combination works seamlessly to deliver power to the front wheels, resulting in a driving experience that’s both engaging and efficient. Fuel economy is another area where the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon 2.0T shines. During a road trip that included highway driving and some city traffic, we observed fuel economy figures between 25 and an impressive 31 mpg. This level of efficiency is commendable for a vehicle of this size and capability, making it a practical choice for both daily commutes and longer journeys. While the 2.0T model offers a compelling balance of performance and economy, Volkswagen also offered a more powerful 3.6L V6 engine in the Passat Wagon for those seeking even more robust performance.
Handling and Ride Quality
Wagons aren’t typically associated with sporty handling, but the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon challenges that stereotype. While it’s not a sports car, it offers a level of agility and composure that’s genuinely enjoyable. The Passat Wagon’s well-tuned chassis and fully independent suspension contribute to its balanced handling. It confidently navigates winding roads with surprising dexterity for a vehicle in its class. The steering is responsive and provides decent feedback, further enhancing the driving experience. The tires, 215/55R16 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4s on our test model, offered good grip and contributed to the wagon’s confident handling.
Body roll is present when cornering aggressively, which is expected in a front-wheel-drive family vehicle, but it’s well-controlled and doesn’t detract significantly from the overall driving enjoyment. Whether you’re tackling your daily commute or enjoying a weekend road trip on scenic routes, the Passat Wagon provides a comfortable and engaging ride. It strikes a good balance between handling prowess and ride comfort, making it suitable for a variety of driving conditions.
Visibility and Practicality
Visibility is a key aspect of any practical vehicle, and the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon excels in this area. Large side mirrors and an expansive greenhouse design ensure excellent all-around visibility. Over-the-shoulder visibility, often a concern in modern vehicles with thick pillars, is particularly good in the Passat Wagon, making lane changes and merging maneuvers safer and easier. While the side windows might appear somewhat short in height, their generous length and the narrow pillars compensate for this, resulting in a bright and airy cabin with minimal blind spots.
However, like most vehicles, the Passat Wagon isn’t without minor visibility drawbacks. The rear headrests, when in their upright position, do slightly impede rearward visibility. This is a common trade-off in vehicles designed for passenger safety and comfort, but it’s worth noting. In terms of practicality, the wagon body style inherently offers a significant advantage over sedans and even some smaller SUVs. The 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon boasts a generous cargo area that’s easily accessible and highly versatile.
Fun Factor and Driving Experience
Can a wagon be genuinely fun to drive? The 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon emphatically answers yes. The combination of its responsive turbocharged engine, balanced handling, and comfortable ride creates a driving experience that’s surprisingly enjoyable. The 200 horsepower engine eagerly responds to throttle inputs, making acceleration a breeze. Whether you’re accelerating from a stoplight or overtaking on the highway, the Passat Wagon feels responsive and energetic. Its German engineering shines through, particularly at higher speeds where it remains composed and stable, feeling remarkably planted even at near triple-digit speeds.
This fun-to-drive nature isn’t just limited to spirited driving scenarios. These same attributes translate into a more engaging and enjoyable experience during everyday driving. The Passat Wagon transforms mundane commutes into brief moments of driving pleasure, making it a vehicle that’s not only practical but also rewarding to drive.
Front and Rear Comfort
Comfort is paramount in a family vehicle, and the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon delivers in both front and rear seating areas. After logging hundreds of highway miles, we can attest to the Passat Wagon’s comfortable and supportive seats. The driver’s seat in our test vehicle featured manual height adjustment and power adjustments for tilt and lumbar support. Combined with the tilt and telescoping steering wheel, finding an ideal driving position was effortless. The front bucket seats are well-padded, offering a good balance of softness and firmness for long-distance comfort. The seat cushions provide ample thigh support, although the side bolsters could be slightly more pronounced for enhanced lateral support during spirited cornering.
Rear seat passengers are also treated to a comfortable environment. The rear bench seat is similarly well-padded and supportive, offering generous legroom, headroom, and foot room. The seatbacks are set at a relaxed recline angle, and a wide, padded fold-down center armrest with storage and cupholders adds to rear passenger convenience. Thoughtful touches like soft front seatbacks, padded door sills and armrests, and adjustable rear headrests further enhance rear passenger comfort. Rear air vents are also included, allowing for independent climate control in the back. The wide-opening rear doors make entry and exit easy for passengers of all ages. The only minor drawback in the rear is the relatively low seat cushion height, which might require passengers to lower themselves slightly into the seat rather than sliding in.
Interior Noise Levels
A refined and quiet cabin is a hallmark of a comfortable vehicle, especially on long drives. The 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon performs admirably in terms of interior noise levels. Even at higher speeds, the cabin remains relatively quiet. Wind noise is present, particularly around the doors and sunroof, but it’s never intrusive or bothersome. Road and tire noise are also evident, but they are well-isolated and remain at a reasonable level, not detracting from the overall driving experience. The engine is generally quiet during normal operation, only becoming more audible when pushed harder. Even then, the engine note is refined and eager, rather than intrusive or coarse. Overall, the Passat Wagon’s well-insulated cabin contributes to a relaxed and comfortable driving environment, even on extended journeys.
Cargo Capacity and Loading
Wagons are inherently practical vehicles, designed for carrying cargo, and the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is no exception. It boasts a low lift-over height for the cargo area, making loading and unloading heavy or bulky items easier. Inside the cargo area, you’ll find useful storage cubbies on the sides and six tie-down points to secure cargo. The wide cargo opening accommodates larger items with ease. For even greater cargo capacity, the rear split-folding bench seat folds down to create a nearly flat load floor. The power tailgate, available on some models, is a convenient feature, especially when your hands are full. The cargo area is fully lined with fabric, a step up from the hard plastic found in some wagons and SUVs, giving it a more premium feel and helping to prevent cargo from sliding around.
Build Quality and Reliability
Volkswagen has a reputation for solid build quality, and the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon generally lives up to this expectation. Exterior panel gaps are tight and consistent, indicating good manufacturing standards. The overall exterior fit and finish is commendable for a vehicle in its class and age. Inside, the cabin feels well-assembled and durable, with solid-feeling materials and controls. While our test vehicle had a minor issue with a rear cubby lid, this appeared to be an isolated defect rather than a widespread build quality concern. Overall, the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon exhibits a level of build quality that suggests long-term durability. As a used vehicle, potential buyers should always conduct a thorough inspection and consider a pre-purchase inspection to assess the specific condition of the vehicle they are considering.
Conclusion: The 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon – A Smart Used Car Choice
The 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is a vehicle that deserves a second look, especially in the used car market. It successfully blends practicality with driving enjoyment, offering a compelling alternative to SUVs and crossovers for families and individuals alike. Its turbocharged engine delivers a surprising level of performance and fuel efficiency, while its balanced handling and comfortable ride make it a pleasure to drive in various conditions. The spacious cargo area, comfortable interior, and solid build quality further enhance its appeal. If you’re in the market for a versatile, reliable, and enjoyable used wagon, the 2007 Volkswagen Passat Wagon should definitely be on your consideration list. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the most practical choices can also be the most rewarding to own and drive.
