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How similar/different are these two cars? I've heard the Passat called an "Audi A6, only cheaper". I realize the trim and interior is quite different but what about the important stuff? The body, drivetrain and suspension?

AK_ALS

Passat is built with some of the A4 parts not A6

jfonner

Hi. Our family owns a 98 A4 2.8Q, a 99 A6 2.8Q and a 99 Passat 1.8turbo. The Passat and A6 are both wonderful cars and the quality has been great. They all have been flawless and no troubles so far. The Passat, A4, and A6 all share the same engines, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, seats, and pretty much everything. The only difference is the exterior and interior styling. But the Audi's do have more upscale styling and slightly more expensive materials inside and out. The major difference is features and options available. The Passat doesn't come with many features available on the A6 such as xenon headlights, navigation system, rear side-impact airbags, Audi Advantage Warranty, larger interior and trunk, heated rear seats, and foglamps. But the 2001 Passat now has curtain airbags and the new 2001.5 Passat will have xenons and it looks decidely more like an Audi. It just depends on how much room you want as the A6 has a much roomier passenger compartment and a larger trunk than the Passat. It also weights more and that helps in a collision. Hope this helps!

April

and either a more luxurious or sporty ( depends on engines and options ) than a Passat.

The Passat is based on a stretched A4 platform.

Compare Passat to Camry, Maxima, Saab, Volvo, Lexus ES300, Infiniti I30, or Acura TL.

Compare A6 to BMW 5 series, Merc E class, Lexus GS300/400, Lincoln LS, and Cadillac.

Richard Solomon

Hmm, no 2.7T or 4.2 in Passat... wouldn't call 'em the same!

Jack Orr

April, can you explain to this dummy information on multi-plex wiring? I have heard the term, but don't know what it means......'Tanks.

Finman

and is really much better compared to the A4 than the A6. Comparing the two, the Passat (the first 2001 model, not the new one) seems to have moderately cheaper interior materials and finish vs the A4, but better backseat legroom. Optioned comparably the A4 is still a few thousand more than the Passat. Are the materials and warranty worth it? I say yes, others may not, especially now that the 2nd '01 Passat looks much better (more Audi-like) except for all that chrome trim, and also will not be getting the new 3.0 litre V6 that the new A4 will get.
One more comparison for the Passat is the Honda Accord as the big volume Camry, Accord, Maxima, and Taurus families are the targets for the Passat.

April

You hook sections of devices on the same harness and make the devices smart enough to know when they are being signaled. Reduces wiring by about 70%. Makes trouble-shooting easier, etc

phred

It slots between the Audi A4 and A6 in almost every respect (size, price, level of materials, etc.)

You really need to drive the two of them and compare. Frankly, for most folks a V6 Passat GLX 4Motion is plenty of car and a good value. Don't confuse our Audi addiction for common sense!

Bollinger

Although I do highly recommend the Passat 4Motion. I talked my brother into one (couldn't get him into the wagon though).

The A4 has a better interior than the Passat and so does the A6, so therefore the Passat can't be on any kind of logical progression line between them.

The materials in the Passat are pretty good, and of course the layout is familiar, but take a look at the fiddly climate system, half instrument cluster display, worthless cupholders. Interior-wise, it isn't between the two.