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Hello guys. Let's take a break from all the Disney-related post. This post we'll talk about one of my favourites in life, cars! Picked up a Volkswagen Passat for a test few weeks ago.

The common steering view.

Thanks to Volkswagen Malaysia for loaning this new Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI, frankly speaking I mostly curious to find out about the engine performance. Before we go further from here, let's take a look on the basic specs, which basically you can find from the internet and brochure:

Price: RM 173,888
Engine: 1,798cc, inline-4, direct injected turbocharged
Power: 160PS at 5,000 - 6,200 rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 1,500 - 4,200 rpm
Transmission: DSG 7-speed direct shift gearbox
Safety: 6 bagsm ABS, Electronis Stability Control (ESP) with Counter-Steering Assistance, ISOFIX (rear), Hill-hold control, 'Rest Assist' drowsiness detection, Flat Tyre Detection.

The Key Fob

Start the engine, first you'll find that the 'traditional' handbrake is gone. For those who already driven a similar car, you'll find it alright, but it's a little bit awkward for me, however it just took merely one ride to get familiar with this Electronic Parking Brake. There's always a first time.

The Electric Parking Brake

Some may wonder would it bring more danger than the traditional brake? The answer is hardly. To release this electronic parking brake, one needs to press on the braking pedal together. A kid won't be able to do this alone, I assume that releasing a traditional brake is easier for the younger ones.

After a few turns in town, I decided to test the engine performance, we en-route from Seremban to Genting Highlands once our work is done for the day.

Electronic Parking Brake, Auto Hold and Traction Control

Traction Control is one of my favorite function in cars. Traction Control practically is a function to increase both the safety and comfort when you are driving on slippery roads or uneven surfaces. The most simple way to explain about this function is, it gives you a smooth driving and acceleration through the full speed range without wheel spinning. Let's say if one wheel suddenly begins to slip, this function will kick in and reduces power until the wheel stops spinning, in the same time to reduce tyre wear.

By saying that, if you're a fast driver who love to drive on winding roads, when you have a sudden acceleration after a brake, you'll experience "power lost", it seems like the engine is not responsive/fuel cut/speed cut, however, it's not a turbo-lagged, just the ASR and ABS intervene the engine to slow you down. To save your life.

Clear road.

On the highway, Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI is impressively comfortable and stable despite I was speeding at 200 - 210 km/h. I sense no turbo-lagged at all. Although it's responsive during the high speed, but I do find it a tad heavy driving at a low speeds.

Exterior: The front view.

The lighting package includes fog lights, LED headlights, daytime running lights. And of course, taillight at the back. The headlights come with self-levelling and corner swivelling function as well. To make it easier to understand, it's a function where the light adjust itself due to the uneven surface where you parked your Passat. I have yet experience any outstanding outcome from this function but there's a valid reason why this function is installed in certain car models.

Exterior: The rear view.

That typical Volkwagen fashion I must say for the rear view. Honestly speaking I never a fan of Sedan thus the only thing I can pick about this particular Volkswagen model is the exterior lacks of wow factors. I know I'm being bias, truthfully speaking, my parents and my boyfriend's parents find this model satisfying and the exterior is sleeky though, means it still regard as a 'handsome' model to most of the people around me.

Without the fog lamps.

I deactivated Traction Control and had quite an exciting ride back home. The speed easily reached 200 km/h within seconds. On paper it says 8.5 sec (0-100 kmh) la. The front seat are appropriately bolstered thus I don't feel confined. At such a high speed, I'm in a relax position where I have sufficient leg space and the driver seat is adjusted precisely according to my body posture and the level of eyesight. Frankly speaking, the cabin size of Volkswagen Passat score quite a high score which make me have a different perspective of a sedan.

My skeleton hands.

Like I mentioned earlier in this post, I'm more curious about the engine performance, thus what's in the interior doesn't really bother me. But I really got to say that Volkswagen took good care of small item storage compartments as well.

Suitable for anything, from tumbler to handphones.

There's one storage just right below the dashboard at the driver's seat where you can keep Smart Tag or wallet conveniently.

The confusing lights control switches.

And again, just few try you'll understand the whole thing. And yeah, it's not a keyless entry, yay! I always fear that somehow I'll lose the key fob while driving, the key has to THERE, it's a must. Not a fan of keyless entry by the way.

Electronic Folding Mirror buttons

Aduii. This function is practically not available after you switch off the engine. How many times I need to restart the engine just to fold the side mirrors. If you don't have such OCD, you can totally ignore my complaint.

The almighty parking assist.

I'm not being sarcastic over here, really. I never rely on parking assist because I'm just really good in reverse parking. Until the day I returned this courtesy car back to the Volkswagen HQ. There's no sufficient space for me to make a reverse parking, and the media parking lot is at the furthest spot from the entrance, unless I make a reverse all the way from the entrance, and make a sleek 3-points-turn if the space is sufficient. There were 3 units of new R8 surrounding me, I moved inch-by-inch relying on this parking assist and finally parked the car at its designated spot! Took me about 10 minutes to do that. Without kissing any part of other cars in the parking area. So yeah,

A good bath indeed.

Brought this Passat for a nice bath before returning him to where he belongs. If I would to rate this car, (not satisfied: 0 highly satisfied: 10)

Car Price: 6/10
Safety Features: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Exterior and Interior: 5/10
Audio System: 5/10

About the fuel consumption, it's subjective though. I would say it's not fuel effective compared to my other turbocharged ride. It took me two full tanks in 4 days for this review. I'm expecting more from its fuel consumption considering it has higher CC than my current ride. But overall, Volkswagen Passat 1.8TSI consider one of the best in its category, however, because I have bad experience with the service center, I would say don't ever go back for warranty claim, your blood pressure reading will increase in no time. Just make sure you get the right insurance coverage and be more stern when talking to the center technicians.

On a side note, found out that in USA there's a V6 version. Do we have a chance for bringing it to Malaysia? Let's wait and see. Volkswagen has launched a new model,  (suitable for gentle drivers) check it out from the showroom today!