According to edmunds, Volkswagen has been busy recently, buying up smaller carmakers, designing 8-,12- and 16-cylinder engines, and creating a new line of luxury vehicles. But it hasn't neglected its already excellent Passat sedan and wagon. For 2002, we'll see the first production application of VW's "W" family of engines, as the long-awaited Passat W8 sedan and wagon arrive in the U.S. replete with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. With an MSRP around $38K, the W8 will be out of reach for the typical family car buyer, but look at it this way: Where else can you find a German car with eight cylinders for this price?
Meanwhile, the lower-level Passats still offer great value, particularly at the base level. With the arrival of the W8 cars, there are now three trim levels -- the well-equipped GLS and the upscale GLX being the other two. The GLS comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes; traction control (via Electronic Differential Lock and Anti-Slip Regulation); air conditioning; cruise control; side and head curtain airbags; a driver seat height adjuster; an eight-speaker stereo with CD player; one-touch power windows; power locks; remote keyless entry; a full-size spare tire; power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors; a trip computer and head restraints and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions. Options include a leather interior, a premium Monsoon sound system and a sunroof. All of the above features are standard on the GLX, which also includes power adjustable, heated front seats with memory for the driver; variable intermittent wipers with heated jets; an auto-dimming rearview mirror; and 16-inch wheels and tires.
Download 2002 Vw Passat Owners Manual