By Tim Plouff

After a succession of uninspiring decisions and ill-received ventures (the Phaeton luxury sedan, W-8 engines and no more Micro-buses), Volkswagen now appears to have its ducks in a row. This sixth-generation Passat is longer, wider, quieter, more luxurious and more powerful than any previous mid-size offering from VW. No longer a budget-priced line, Volkswagen has discovered what other makers have long known — higher profits exist at the upper end of the scale.

In many ways, this new Passat is best compared to a Mercedes E-class or BMW 3-series. Status, sophistication and performance still drive all of these German brands, characteristics that have appeal with many buyers worldwide. VW has positioned the Passat as a premium sedan, a well-equipped four-door that is the smart choice for discerning drivers who recognize luxury and quality, but know that it shouldn’t have to cost thousands of dollars more to obtain it.

No longer “The People’s Car,” VW has decided to take this tack rather than compete head-to-head with the volume sales of Camry and Accord.

For sure, the new Passat has a distinctive exterior profile that won’t be confused with any competitor. The bold new face fronts a body that is 2.5 inches longer, 3 inches wider and a half inch taller with a new transverse engine layout (the motor is mounted sideways in the engine bay). This redesign gives the Passat a much larger interior. Front and rear seat space is markedly improved while the trunk becomes more square and readily accepts larger amounts of travel cargo.

The trunk expands via a rear-seat pass-through behind the folding armrest, plus the seatbacks fold forward. There are more storage pockets sprinkled around the cabin now, including large beverage slots in the doors and an umbrella slot, like Rolls Royce, in the driver’s door. The ’06 Passat is a quantum leap over last year’s model.

Underpinning this dramatically altered platform is a new chassis. No longer based on the Audi A4 layout, the new Passat rides on a fully independent suspension that includes a four-link rear instead of the former beam axle, plus it uses an electro-mechanical power steering system. Traditional European responsiveness is retained as the VW sedan adeptly balances superior handling dynamics with a sporty yet compliant ride.

Upscale VR6 models come with larger 17-inch alloy wheels and a slightly firmer suspension setup. Drivers used to the crisp steering feel and composed back road manners of a typical Euro-based car won’t be disappointed.

Steering feel is a nice blend of smooth control and direct on-center feel. Only three spins of the leather-clad rim are needed to turn lock-to-lock, an exercise that results in only 35 feet needed for a low-speed 180-degree turn.

At night, the VR6 Passat accompanies those slow turns with additional side lamps that add extra lighting. As speeds elevate, turning the wheel means the brilliant bi-xenon headlamps turn with the steering wheel, lighting your intended path rather than some far off non-destination. Smart lighting is expected on premium luxury cars like Mercedes and Jaguar; they are a nice surprise at this level.

Occupants will love the new interior space. Front passengers have almost unlimited space on power seats that offer a wide range of adjustability. Tall and vertically challenged drivers alike should be able to find reasonable comfort behind the Passat’s tilting and telescoping steering column. Rear passengers gain over two inches of extra legroom plus larger doors that aid entry and exit.

VW fans will recognize the familiar gauge cluster still illuminated in soft blue lighting. A comprehensive trip computer with outside temperature reporting is included as well as simple controls for audio and climate systems. Satellite radio — your choice, Sirius or XM — is available in the three audio systems, including Denmark’s Dynaudio premium sound package. Satellite navigation is now available, too.

The Passat’s new shape is part of a body that is 56 percent stiffer than last year’s sedan. This results in a safer car, a quieter car and a sedan that rides better. From some angles, the Passat appears to have too much body overhang beyond the front or rear wheels, as the wheelbase length is unchanged. Part of this is to meet European crash standards for pedestrians, but part of it is to improve interior packaging at minimal expense. As mentioned, ride and handling actions suffer not at all.

Power for the Passat comes from two new sources. The base model and mid-level sedans use a 2.0-liter turbocharged in-line four-cylinder motor that makes 200 hp and a robust 207-pound/feet of torque. Borrowed from Audi’s new A3, and shared with the upcoming Golf GTI, this engine is eager and never seems to run out of steam.

My sample Passat featured the new 3.6-liter VR6 engine. The largest V-6 ever used in a VW sedan, the VR6’s narrow cylinder banks — only 10 degrees apart — let it slip into the new transverse engine bay without strain. With 280 hp on tap, the VR6 delivers enthusiastic acceleration all of the time and easily matches the power output of cars in its class, and any other class for that matter. Mated to a 6-speed TipTronic automatic, fuel economy was more than respectable; four fill-ups returned mileage ranging from 27.5 mpg to 32 mpg.

Subtle premium features are evident in many parts of the Passat. The turn signal lamps in the side mirrors offer ground illumination at night. Manual sunshades operate for the rear side windows and large rear window. Door pockets swallow oversized water bottles, while the glove box is air-conditioned. Windows motor up and down with one touch of the button plus the new electric ignition and electric parking brake are surely items that you have seen on more expensive sedans. A full-size spare tire on an alloy wheel is nice, as is the simple to use trip computer. For pure entertainment value, have your passengers, and any bystanders, monitor the bi-xenon headlamps as they go through their test pattern at start-up. Down, sideways and up they spin as the operating motor calibrates for load inside.

The Passat wagon returns by spring, while the four-wheel drive 4Motion system appears later in the model year. Volkswagen also promises a convertible version with a folding hardtop, plus a diesel powerplant will join the lineup at some future point.

With Audi-like styling, detailing, and interior designs, the new Passat is certainly an upscale family sedan that matches up well against the veterans from Mercedes, Volvo, BMW, and Saab. That is in every category except one: price. The Passat is markedly less expensive than its Euro-based contemporaries, while close enough to its Japanese-branded rivals to entice shoppers to take a look.

Savvy shoppers will discover the variances in performance and the level of amenities included in this sharp redesign and draw clear conclusions about the value in this attractive new Passat.