2022 Volkswagen Passat Review: 206TSI R-Line

Is life tearing a hot hatch out of your cold dead hands? This story haunts motorists and resonates with time. 

Family life has knocked on the door, so the fast hatchback must go, to eventually be replaced by something more "sensible".

Don't worry, life isn't over yet, you don't have to run around the dealership letting depression sink in as you stare at SUV after SUV in a vain hope for something with a modicum of spirit. 

Volkswagen, the brand that probably gave you the hot hatch problem in the first place with its legendary Golf GTI and R, has the answer. While the word "Passat" may not ring with much force in the minds of enthusiasts, this latest iteration of the 206TSI R-Line may just be the "reasonable family car" you're looking for, and which VW is best kept secret.

Could it become the next best sleeper station wagon, eliminating the need to spend mega-dollars on an Audi S4 Avant? We took one at its Australian launch to find out.

Volkswagen Passat 2022: 206TSI R-Line
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	8.1l / 100km
Landing	5 Places
Price from	$65,990

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

Well, it depends on what you are looking for in a van. If you understand my preamble, you are looking for the rush that this car offers.

And if you've ever been willing to shell out for a hot hatch, I'm willing to bet you'll appreciate the extra expense ($63,790 excluding travel) that the R-Line will bring you.

If not? You can save a lot by choosing a beefy Mazda6 wagon (even a top-spec Atenza will cost you just $51,390), a style-focused Peugeot 508 GT Sportwagon ($59,490), or a Skoda Octavia RS ($52,990), which is essentially a less powerful front wheel drive variation on the Passat theme.

However, our Passat, despite being just below the luxury car tax (LCT) threshold, is unique among its peers, offering Golf R levels of power as well as an all-wheel drive system to make it stand out for enthusiastic drivers.

Standard equipment is good, as you'd expect at this price point: R-Line with 19" "Pretoria" alloy wheels to match its more aggressive fit and body kit, 10.25" "Digital Cockpit Pro" instrument cluster, 9.2" multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless connectivity, built-in sat nav, 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, leather interior, 14-way power driver sports seats, heated front seats. , full-matrix LED headlights and taillights (with progressive LED indicators) and three-zone climate control (with a separate climate zone for the rear seats).

The R-Line also has some bespoke interior trim and a panoramic sunroof as standard.

It's a bunch of stuff, and while it still lacks the holographic head-up display and wireless charging bay offered by the competition, it's not that bad for the price it offers. 

Again, the engine and all-wheel drive system is what you're really paying for here, as the lion's share of gearing is offered in the more affordable versions of the Passat line.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

The Passat is attractive but understated. Not dizzying, but the kind of car that needs to be looked at properly to be appreciated. 

In the case of the R-Line, VW has gone to great lengths to enhance it with its sleek body kit. The signature 'Lapiz Blue' color aligns it with performance heroes in the VW lineup like the Golf R, and the dastardly metal wheels and thin rubber are enough to make those versed in it tickle their nerves. 

It's the latest silent car on the market, epitomizing the 'sleeper car' vibe, evoking echoes of past legends like the Volvo V70 R, but not as loud as the Audi RS4. A car that has been seen but not considered.

VW has gone to great lengths to bolster the Passat station wagon with a streamlined body kit.

The interior continues this theme with a simple yet eye-catching design adorned with LED lighting, light strips on the dashboard and quality door trim.

The Passat has been enhanced with today's expected digital features, including VW's stellar digital cockpit and stylish 9.2-inch multimedia screen. 

Volkswagen's Audi-derived digital features are some of the sleekest and most eye-catching on the market, and the multimedia package fits nicely into its glossy surroundings.

The interior has a simple but attractive design. 

The interior is well-built and innocuous, but in terms of its design, I can't help but notice that the Passat is starting to feel a little old, especially compared to the new generation Golf and its more revolutionary interior design, which also arrived this year. 

While the Passat has received a new steering wheel and brand logo, it's nice to note that areas like the center console, shifter, and some trim pieces are just starting to feel a bit dated.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

From one enthusiast to another, please don't buy an SUV. Don't get me wrong, the Tiguan is a great car, but it's not as fun as this Passat. 

Even if you have serious breathing problems, you can tell them that the Passat is even more practical than its Tiguan brother!

The cabin has the usual high-quality ergonomics for Volkswagen. Key to drivers will be the excellent side-support R-Line seats, quality partial leather trim that extends to the doors for comfort, and a sporty low seating position.

The interior is well designed and unobtrusive.

Adjustment is great and this new wheel feels great. 

Unlike the Tiguan R-Line, the Passat doesn't have haptic feedback with a touch steering wheel control pad, but honestly you don't need them, the nice buttons on this steering wheel are best.

Unfortunately, this is where the collection of beautiful buttons ends. The multimedia and climate panels in the updated Passat have become fully touch-sensitive. 

To be fair to VW, this is one of the best touch interfaces I've had the misfortune to use. 

The shortcut buttons on the sides of the media screen have nice large areas so you don't have to grope for them, and the climate bar is surprisingly easy to use, with tap, swipe and hold for quick access.

However, what I would give for a volume control or fan speed, at least. It might not look as smooth, but the dial is unbeatable for adjusting while you're focused on the road.

The rear seat in every Passat variant is excellent. I have leagues of legroom behind my own (182cm/6ft 0″ height) seating area, and there is not one area where VW has skimped on the quality trim that appears on the front seats. 

The rear seat in every Passat variant is excellent.

Rear passengers even get their own climate zone with convenient adjustment buttons and directional vents. There are large bottle holders in the doors and three more in the drop-down armrest.

Rear passengers get their own climate zone with directional deflectors.

Rear passengers also have pockets on the backs of the front seats (although they miss out on the triple pockets in the new Tiguan and Golf), and for ease of access (you know, to fit a child seat), the rear doors are huge and open nice and wide. They even have built-in sun shades to keep the little ones out of the sun.

Loading space? Now that's where the van shines. Despite all that cabin space, the Passat R-Line still boasts a mammoth 650-litre boot space, complete with tie-down nets, a trunk lid, and even a built-in retractable partition between the boot and cab - great for if you have a large dog, and safe if you need to carry a lot of luggage.

The R-Line gets a full-size alloy spare tire (a huge win) and maintains the same decent towing capacity of 750kg unbraked and 2000kg with brakes.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

The R-Line is all about the best: it's a version of the famous EA888 turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine also used in the Golf GTI and R. 

In this instance, it delivers the namesake 206kW and 350Nm of torque.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine develops 206 kW/350 Nm of power.

The 162TSI that appears in Alltrack was great, but this version is even better. The R-Line pairs this engine with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and drives all four wheels via VW's 4Motion variable all-wheel drive system.

It's a great powertrain, and none of its competitors offer a car in the same performance-focused niche.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

The larger R-Line engine does require fuel consumption compared to the more modest 140TSI and 162TSI options in this range.

Official fuel consumption on the combined cycle has risen from the average in the rest of the range to 8.1 l/100 km, which is not surprising.

However, in the few days that I fully enjoyed this car, it returned the 11L/100km figure shown on the dashboard, perhaps a more accurate indication of what you would get if you drive this car as intended.

Like all VW petrol vehicles, the Passat R-Line requires 95 octane unleaded petrol and a large 66 liter fuel tank.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10

Volkswagen's new ethos is something we can agree on, and it's about bringing a full range of safety to the entire lineup in its latest offerings. 

In the case of the Passat, this means that even the base 140TSI Business gets a set of active "IQ Drive" features, including automatic emergency braking at speed with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist with lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic. movement. traffic warning and adaptive cruise control with "semi-autonomous" steering functions.

Additional features include Predictive Occupant Protection, which prepares the interior moments before an imminent collision for optimal airbag deployment and seat belt tension, and a new Emergency Assist feature that will bring the car to a stop when the driver becomes unresponsive.

The Passat lineup has a full suite of airbags, including a driver's knee airbag, as well as the expected electronic stability, traction control and brakes for a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating carried over from the pre-facelift model in 2015.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

Volkswagen continues to offer its five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty across its entire lineup, which puts it on par with most Japanese and Korean rivals, but falls short of Kia and the latest batch of Chinese novelties.

However, no one offers a performance wagon in this segment, so the Passat remains the standard here. 

Volkswagen offers pre-service for its vehicles, which we recommend as it comes at a significant discount on overpayments as you use it. 

The Passat is covered by VW's five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

In the case of R-Line, that means $1600 for a three-year package or $2500 for a five-year package, saving a maximum of $786 over the limited-price program.

It's not the cheapest car we've seen, but it could be a lot worse for a performance-focused European car.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

If you've driven a VW in recent years, the Passat R-Line will be familiar to you. If not, I think you'll like what's on offer here.

Simply put, this 206TSI class car is one of the best engine and transmission combinations offered by Volkswagen in the entire model range. 

That's because the proprietary dual-clutch automatic transmission, which is fraught with minor issues when paired with smaller engines, shines when paired with higher-torque options.

In the case of the R-line, this means fast operation, characterized by a strong turbocharger, an angry engine sound and a responsive gearbox.

Once you get past the initial moment of turbo lag, this big van will crouch down and just explode to life out of the gate, with strong low-end torque controlled by a powerful clutch as the AWD system balances the drive. along two axes. 

The dual clutch responds beautifully whether you leave it in automatic mode or choose to shift gears yourself, one of the few times the shift systems shine.

The R-Line's progressive steering program shines when it comes to leaning this wagon into corners, giving you an unexpected level of confidence, all backed up by superb rubber traction and, again, that adjustable all-wheel drive system. control.

Despite a lot of power on offer, I struggled to get even a little peek out of the tires. And while performance isn't quite on par with the Golf R, it certainly sits somewhere between it and the Golf GTI, weighed down by the weight of the Passat's larger body.

The exchange is worth it. It is a vehicle that allows the driver to enjoy driving as well as carry passengers in relative luxury and comfort. 

Even the ride quality is honed despite the large 19-inch wheels and low-profile tires. Though far from invincible.

Passat R-Line is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels.

You still want to stay away from potholes. What's obnoxious in the cabin will be doubly obnoxious on bad (expensive) tires, and that makes the low-slung ride not as ready for the suburban challenge as many of its more comfort-oriented rivals.

Still, it's a performance option by name and character, and while the goalposts are still in RS4 territory for hot midsize wagons, this is the type of low-cost, warmed-up wagon that hot hatchback fans will crave. 

Suffice to say, it's more fun than any SUV.

Verdict

Dear former hot hatch owner and station wagon connoisseur. The search is over. This is the anti-SUV you heart desire for a fraction of the cost of an Audi S4 or RS4 storming the tracks. It's as comfortable as it is fun, with a sophisticated look to boot, just don't expect it to unsettle you the way the Golf R does. After all, you'll have to think about the passengers.