I was so happy to pull into the beautiful Hermosa Inn in Phoenix only to find an equally beautiful 2017 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 SEL Premium waiting for me to test-drive for the week.
The Passat was the first car we bought our son when he turned 16 so I have fond memories of it — especially how safe it felt during a couple of harrowing moments (only to me) when I drove with him on the freeway for the first time.
We had done a lot of research so we knew it had high safety ratings and was a great car for a teenage boy.
Apparently, it’s always a great car for a 50-something woman.
It looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside, don’t you think?
The plush Cornsilk Beige interior was so comfy and spacious and I felt so at home even though this was definitely not the car I had driven a decade ago.
Volkswagen has added an amazing number of features to the Passat since I last drove it. You already know what a fan I am of blind spot monitoring and rear cameras but this one really made me pay attention every time because it specifically asked, “Safe to move?”
The keyless access and control panels were pretty instinctive so I didn’t have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out a new car, which is always a relief.
The navigation system, which I often have issues with, was user-friendly and easy to understand.
One of the features I liked best about the navigation was that the directions can be placed right in front of you, like this:
This was such a pleasure because I didn’t have to focus on what I was going to have to do next. I just had to follow one step at a time.
What really makes this the perfect car for baby boomers, who already have a soft spot in their hearts for Volkswagen, is this message that comes up every time you turn off the car:
Ha ha ha! It made me laugh every single time, and saved me more times than I care to admit.
I was always able to find the car quickly in parking lots because the bright Fontana Red really popped in the Arizona desert.
And it was a joy to get back into the car and pump up the powerful air conditioning. It worked so well that sometimes I even had to use the heated seats at the same time!
It was sad having to leave the car at the end of the week, and I felt like I was saying goodbye to an old friend once again.
I do have one suggestion that I’d like to pass on to Volkswagen: I’m thinking a June promotion offering a special deal for buying mother and grown child Passats for Mother’s Day and college graduation would be a huge success.
And I happen to know a mom and son who would be the perfect spokespeople.
Everyone I know who has had a Passat loves it. It’s a car I’d consider, too, if i were in the market for one.
What a gorgeous car and OH MY GOSH, I love that reminder to not forget your cell phone.
Ha ha, love that it reminds you to remember to take your cell phone with you.
I don’t know how many times I have forgotten my stinken phone in the car!
I need more practice with those cameras. I still feel a little nervous watching them, but the prompt asking if it’s safe is a great reminder. The Passat looks like it keeps getting safer and cooler!
That is a sharp looking car. I would be sad to return it also. My daughter and son-in-law test drove one and loved it.
Sounds like a great car. And sounds like fun to test drive.
Sweet ride. i would be sad to return it too if i had one. It is a nice car.
Volkswagen makes fantastic cars. The 2017 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 SEL Premium looks like a dream car for me. I would love to take one for a test drive.
Such a great car, and the interior of it looks beautiful! I have always liked Volkswagen cars, they are made so well and last a long time. I have a back up camera on my car and it is so great to have!
I love that car! Especially that back up camera!
The cell phone message is perfect because I always leave mine in the car. My first car was a VW fastback and I loved it. I would enjoy that Passat.
I love Volkswagen Passats. This car seems so well-engineered. But not sure I’m ready to forgive them for their duplicitous behavior regarding emissions. Your thoughts? Have they reformed??
My friend had one of these a liked it. I do like the color you are driving here.