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Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon

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digli

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Did any of you Passat owners out there go through the exercise of comparing the Jetta 1.8t Wagon to the Passat 1.8t Wagon? If so, what were your compelling reasons to go with the Passat Wagon other than "it's bigger"? Is the additional US$2000 worth the money. Thanks in advance.
Dino
(Waiting for the opportunity to see the Jetta Wagon in person in Canada!)
[Modified by digli, 8:54 PM 1-9-2002]


[Modified by digli, 9:00 PM 1-9-2002]
 
#2 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (digli)

It's bigger (you can't eliminate that as a reason)
It's got a longer wheel base (more comfortable ride... cruising)
It's got a multi-link front suspension (no bump steer, or torque steer... Unlike the Jetta)
Quieter (interior is quiter, as far ass road, and engine noise goes)
... and, it's BIGGER.
Image

Longitudinal engine placement (again eliminates torque steer , because the half shafts are equal length, and helps with engine noise)
that's all I can think of, besides it being bigger.
 
#3 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (pass-variant)

That's most of it, but it is important to also note that the Jetta is much less reliable than the Passat according to Consumer Reports. Also noteworthy is the price difference.
 
#6 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (Dun Roamin)

I looked at both. The Passat was bigger (of course). The largest factor was that I could get a Passat used, but I had to buy the Jetta new. A 2000 Passat wagon was comparable in price to the new 2002 Jetta wagon. I drove a couple of both. I didn't feel anything other than size was really different between the two. Similar features, similar reliability ( I would hope.)
In the end I the size of the Passat and the deprication hit of having to buy a new Jetta made me choose the Passat.
One other reason:
- The new 201HP 24 valve VR6 is not going into the wagon this year. (or maybe ever.). This might have changed my mind to the Jetta, but turned out to be a non-issue.
 
#7 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (Robadele)

quote:[HR][/HR] Similar features, similar reliability ( I would hope.) [HR][/HR]​
I think Consumer Report data is far more reliable and useful than "hope" in determining reliability. According to that data, the Jetta is far less reliable. Period.
 
#8 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (digli)

I started off looking at the Subaru WRX Wagon, then cut my sights down (price-wise) to the Jetta Wagon or Impreza TS Wagon.
I was pretty much set on the Jetta Wagon ... until I discovered I could get a used Passat for thousands of dollars less than a new one. More than $100 less a month on payments, cheaper insurance, etc. Plus, it's bigger (big plus cargo-wise).
A neighbor has a VR6 Jetta Wagon and I pass it every day walking our dog. I'm not in the least bit disappointed in my decision, though the Jetta looks terrific, also.
I still have a VW. I saved a bunch of cash. I don't feel bad about adding bits onto it cos I can afford to (somewhat) and it's not like it's new or anything. It won't devalue as quickly.
Image

Anyway, maybe that's not quite what you were after, but hope it helps.
 
#9 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (av_audi)

Room is the biggest factor. The Passat is "the right size". Rear seat in the Jetta is very tight. The car is also built on a better chassis, all mentioned above. Finally, the manual trans is much better in the Passat vs the Jetta. I'm trading my 01 Jetta for an 02 Passat for all these reasons.
 
#10 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (Dendo)

Jetta wagon is made in GERMANY. I was surprised that the ones we looked at were all made in Wolfsburg, Germany, unlike the sedans.
I seriously compared the two. The pros and cons:
For Jetta:
1) My wife liked the Jetta wagon's red color better than the Passat's
2) Wife likes the smaller size of the Jetta wagon - she and my dad thought the Jetta wagon actually looked better than the Passat wagon.
3) Available sports suspension from factory for $200
For Passat
1) Quieter, especially on the highway
2)Better chasis - based on modified A4, so eliminated torque steer and is stiffer than Jetta's
3) Equipment levels that you can't get on the Jetta turbo (trip computer, etc...)
4) More luxurious ride and feel
5) Better deal - buy a low end passat vs high end Jetta
6) Easier to find a Passat combo that you like since standard engine is the turbo
7) Bigger and roomier front and rear seats
8) Better resale most likely
9) Better feel for manual transmission since it is mounted differently (interestingly, this ws more of the deciding factor for us)
We went with the Passat and most people think we made the right choice. People always over estimate how much I paid for it by far.



[Modified by dankatz, 8:57 PM 1-9-2002]
 
#11 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (digli)

One reason to choose a Jetta wagon over a Passat wagon is the availability of the TDI motor. If we could afford a second car right now, I think a Jetta wagon TDI would be it...
 
#14 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (not_too_shabby)

I'm actually trying to talk my GF into a TDi Jetta Wagon. She's gonna be traveling for work, and has to haul stuff (she's a chiropractor that has a traveling practice... yes docs still make house calls). The TDi Wagon would be PERFECT for her needs.
She doesn't want a Passat, cause it's too big. She currently has a 1.8T Jetta sedan, which wouldn't be bad if it was a wagin, but a TDi would be sooooooo much cheaper to own for a high mile car... hopefully I can talk her into it.
 
#16 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (No overlap)

No overlap: I've seen one at my dealer here in Amherst, NY.
Dendo: The seats feel larger in the passat (especially the rear). The hip room in the passat is also larger (54.6 vs 52.5") which leads me to believe that the rear seat is wider. I don't have any definitive proof though.
The bottom line is this, if you are going to be driving 3 passengers in your rear seats on a semi-regular basis than you are better off with the Passat (where the leg room is also bigger). If you aren't then the Jetta is adequate. I am 5'8" and seat failry close to the pedals (manual), so the rear seat leg room in the Jetta is OK for me too.
 
#17 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (dankatz)

I liked the Passat because there was more distance between the driver and the passenger, more leg room for the rear passenger, fit three across in the back much easier, more room in the back even with two people, think the passat had better head room in the back, styling of the passat over the jetta, and not sure if the jetta had it but i like how the passat rubberizes some of the knobs and handles..makes me think better quality, plus the dash didn't look as plastic as the jetta...overall the passat made me feel like i was getting better quality for my buck.
 
#18 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (ShortBus)

In my mind people who buy wagons have utility and storage high on their priority list. Buy the Passat since it is roomier and has all the positive attributes mentioned above.
The Jetta make sense for someone who lives in a congested inner city and struggles to squeeze into parking spots or for someone who absolutely needs the sports package and can do with less storage space.
My opinions of course......
Image
 
#20 ·
Re: Passat Wagon vs. Jetta Wagon (digli)

We test drove a Jetta 1.8T, manual tranny with sports suspension and REALLY liked it.....then we drove the Passat 1.8T w/ Titronic. The Passat won for the following reasons:
I wanted a Passat to start with.
Husband thought the steering was more responsive, Jetta had a deadspot in the middle.
When you try to pull the headrest out of the backseat of the Jetta you can't pull straight up because you hit the ceiling, you have to lean the seat forward and it was awkward. We will have the seats folded out frequently so this is picky but important to me since my Mazda 626 hatchback's seats fold the same way and I have no problem removing headrests.
When the seats were folded out in the Jetta, my 5' 10' husband's knees hit the dash in the passenger seat. His knees don't hit in my Mazda 626 hatchback with rear seats folded and they don't hit in the Passat.
Overall the Passat was more impressive to drive and we thought the safety features and brakes were better quality.
Only problem was I wanted a manual transmission so I had to order the car and it took 3 months, but it was worth it since I got the exact color combo I wanted.


[Modified by lamartin, 8:53 PM 1-11-2002]
 
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