Yahoo Autos The 280-HP Volkswagen Passat GT: It Looks Sportier
It ain’t easy these days to find a mid-size family sedan with a V-6, now that most of the major players have transitioned to turbocharged fours as their upgrade engines. As a reminder that the aging Passat still plays the no-replacement-for-displacement game with its optional 3.6-liter V-6, Volkswagen has added a sportyish GT trim level to the lineup that drops the price of entry by $5505 compared to the SEL Premium, which previously was the only way to get the narrow-angle six-cylinder that VW calls the VR6.
For even deeper coverage of the Passat, view our Buyer’s Guide in-depth review.
At $29,995, the Passat GT also gains entry to another exclusive club, being one of just a few new cars with a six-cylinder engine for less than $30,000. While it’s not as performance oriented as the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger that also meet these criteria, it does offer some useful mechanical improvements over the standard Passat V-6 that make the GT trim more than just an appearance package.
Style and a Little Bit of Substance
For one, VW has lowered the suspension by 0.6 inch, giving the Passat GT a slightly meaner stance as it sits on its 19-inch Tornado-design wheels. Engineers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the GT trim was conceived and developed, also retuned the dampers and springs for more roll stiffness and added a sportier exhaust to let the V-6 sing its song more clearly.
And of course there are the requisite visual tweaks, chief among them a black-painted roof, GTI-inspired red trim around the grille, and faux carbon-fiber trim and contrasting stitching to spruce up the somewhat aging but still solidly built cabin. This slightly sharper Passat blends into the background less than its siblings, but we still wouldn’t call it a looker-this design has been around since 2011, and it wasn’t terribly exciting even then.
More Tire Needed
The Passat GT’s driving experience also is influenced by what it lacks, however, most prominently in the tire department. With the same all-season rubber as other Passat models such as the four-cylinder R-Line, the punchy V-6 easily overwhelms the front tires, and we found ourselves constantly chirping away from a stop even under moderate throttle applications. What’s the use of 280 raucous horsepower (and a distinctive burbly sound from the V-6 to boot) if the footwear can’t put them to good use?
It’s little surprise then that our track results showed little improvement over other Passats we’ve tested. Zero to 60 mph came up in 5.9 seconds, 0.2 second behind a 2016 Passat V-6 SEL, while the GT’s skidpad and braking numbers of 0.88 g and 182 feet were unremarkable compared to a 2018 Passat 2.0T’s 0.87 g and 168 feet. The Honda Accord 2.0T is quicker still at 5.5 seconds to 60 mph, can match the Passat’s skidpad number, and stops from 70 mph 12 feet shorter. The Honda also achieved an impressive 35 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy test to the Passat’s 28 mpg, which is probably sufficient explanation for why turbo fours have all but replaced V-6s in this segment.
Not for Nothing
Unremarkable numbers notwithstanding, we did appreciate the GT’s slightly firmer ride compared to other Passats, owing to its tightened suspension. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission also does a good job keeping the engine in its powerband, with lightning-quick shifts and even fairly aggressive downshifts in S mode. We wouldn’t go so far as to call the Passat GT sporty, largely due to its light, overboosted steering, but body motions are nicely controlled and roll is kept in check.
Those expecting the GT nameplate to denote some sort of enthusiast special will be disappointed in this Passat (and shouldn’t ask for a manual transmission, because it isn’t happening). Instead, it’s better to think of the GT as a discount-priced V-6 Passat-and for those who still are not convinced by the onslaught of turbocharged fours, it’s one of the least expensive V-6 sedans you can buy today
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