Volkswagen Passat

With its smooth ride, elegant cabin, and extensive list of safety features, the Passat remains our top choice among family sedans. Cornering is competent, with quick, nicely weighted steering and minimal body lean. The GLS model we tested handled securely and completed our double-lane-change avoidance maneuver with impressive ease. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the interior has a quality feel that belies the car's price. Controls are mostly well designed, but the power-mirror switch is poorly placed. The turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine provides strong acceleration but hesitates a bit at low revs when paired with the five-speed automatic transmission. The optional 2.8-liter V6 is quiet and brawny. The Passat's rear seat provides room for the three adults, and the wagon model offers more cargo space than some SUVs. Passat wagons do not, however, offer a third-row seat, which limits passenger capacity to five. An all-wheel-drive system is available, but it takes a toll on both acceleration and fuel economy. The recently introduced W8 model gets a 270-hp eight-cylinder engine, AWD, and standard stability control.