Volkswagen Passat 206TSI 2016 Review

Volkswagen Passat 206TSI Highline
First drive
Munich, Germany

With Volkswagen's latest, award-winning Passat now on sale for a year in Australia – and much longer in Europe – it seems the German car-making giant has no plans to produce an 'R' version in the spirit of the generation-before-last Passat R36.

That car won plenty of friends with a lusty, characterful 3.6-litre petrol V6 hooked up to an all-wheel drive chassis that made for a fun, involving drive in an affordable German mid-size package.

Since then Volkswagen has gone cold on the idea of a Passat R and only last month confirmed it would add the 206TSI sedan and wagon versions available in Germany since launch to its Australian Passat line-up in November.

On paper, with 206kW of power and 350Nm of torque on tap from its Golf R-derived 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, the 206TSI all but matches the 220kW 3.6-litre V6 in the heavier old R36, which was on sale for $66,990 until 2010.

Indeed, the new Passat flagship – which, at $57,990 plus on-road costs, is significantly cheaper than the old R36 -- is claimed to sprint to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, while the $2000-pricier wagon is two-tenths slower but still a pretty quick family car.

At the same time, the 206TSI commands an $18,000 premium over the Passat 132TSI Comfortline (from $39,990) and a $12,000 premium over the previous range-topper, the Passat 140TDI Highline (from $45,990).

For the money, though, it not only comes standard with all-wheel drive, a six-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, adaptive chassis (damping) control and customisable digital instrumentation, but a bunch of R-Line gear as standard.

Optional for Highline versions of the latest Passat, the 206TSI's standard R-Line kit includes a sports body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, dynamic LED headlights, unique badging inside and out, leather-trimmed R-Line seats, a flat-bottom multi-function sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, alloy pedals and Volkswagen’s New 12.3-inch Active Info Display.

Making its Australian debut in the Tiguan this month before becoming standard in all MY17 Passat R-Line models, the latter brings digital instrument technology from premium brands like Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz and VW's own sister brand Audi, which calls it Virtual Cockpit.

Like those systems, VW's Active Info Display presents a crisp, clear and customisable instrument display that can be configured to focus on speedo/tacho gauges, navigation or other vehicle functions. It's highly effective and will be a must-have for most models in years to come.

And although it was fitted to the German-spec 206TSI Highline we drove in Europe this week (pictured here in brown), our taste-test vehicle lacked R-Line equipment like 19-inch alloys and adaptive damping, which are standard in Australian R-Line models.

So although we can't say what the 206TSI R-Line rides like on its bigger wheels and adaptive suspension, we can report that the Highline's 18-inch wheel/tyre combo and standard damping strikes a great compromise between ride comfort and chassis agility.

Over a 700km round trip from Munich to Zurich and back, taking in mostly freeways but a couple of scenic-road detours, the 206TSI was never anything less than comfortable, ironing out expansion joints on concrete autobahns as well as it did lumps and cracks on Swiss backroads.

Likewise, the 206TSI driveline offered pleasing performance, delivering enough midrange punch for effortless overtaking at the sort of speeds common on German freeways – where we saw a top speed of 240km/h with plenty in reserve – and plenty of punch out of B-road hairpins.

Even without working the six-speed dual-clutch auto via the standard paddle shifters, there's plenty of response at most middling revs to maintain a satisfying pace on most roads. Off-the-line urge is undeniably strong too, and combined with a decidedly sporty top-end (180km/h comes up at 6500rpm in fifth) we've no reason to doubt Volkswagen's sub-six-second 0-100km/h claim.

Yes, the raspy-sounding 2.0-litre turbo four is a good match for the 206TSI's accurate, well-weighted steering and taut chassis, and although the Passat is a smaller car than Skoda's cheaper Superb 206TSI, it makes up for that by adding worthwhile goodies like 19-inch alloys, active damping and digital instruments as standard.

Yes, there's undoubted value for money here, even if metallic or pealescent paint remains a $700 option, and even if – like all petrol Volkswagens – the 206TSI requires 95RON premium unleaded. A panoramic glass sunroof is the only other option, at $2000.

Naturally, all of Volkswagen's latest safety equipment and driver aids are here too, as is the company's enviable build quality and a highly ergonomic interior that's a pleasure to spend hours behind the wheel in.

But as enjoyable as the Passat 206TSI is, there's no denying it lacks the aural drama and driver involvement of the old R36. Therefore, we'd probably opt for the greater diesel grunt and efficiency of the $45,990 140TDI Highline, add the R-Line pack for $2500 and save ourselves almost $10,000.

2016 Volkswagen Passat 206TSI R-Line pricing and specifications:
Price: $57,990 plus on-road costs (wagon: $59,990)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 206kW/350Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.1L/100 (NEDC)
CO2: 159g/km (NEDC)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Holden Insignia VXR (from $51,990)
>> Skoda Superb 206TSI 4x4 (from $50,990)
>> Subaru Levorg GT-S (from $48,890)