Should VW bring the Passat Alltrack to North America?

[vrsexxy_GTI]

Many customers looking at the Passat and sportwagen are demanding an all wheel drive option, and it seems like the Subaru Outbacks are selling like hot cakes, so i say why not?

[wisky]

I vote yes. But I wont buy one.

[GruuvenNorth]

We are tainted by the Allroad. hopefully this isn't the same thing with a different badge.

[2VWatatime]

Many customers looking at the Passat and sportwagen are demanding an all wheel drive option,

And it's obviously hurting sales so much...

and it seems like the Subaru Outbacks are selling like hot cakes, so i say why not?

Reality. It's a b*tch. No Subaru is on the list of top selling car models in the US. VW wishes for the Passat to be there, so why imitate that which isn't?

[Woodski]

I say yes, and if I had the money I would buy one.

[joe97]

No. Who's going to buy one at a premium cost point?

[slghtlybttr]

No. Who's going to buy one at a premium cost point?

Actually, I would. I already own a Touareg, which some would fault using the same rationale (who would buy a premium SUV with a VW badge?) But the thing is, I would prefer a nice wagon. Options are rather limited...

I posted in another thread on this today (upping my whopping post count to somewhere north of 10!). I also have a Volvo XC70, which is nice but is getting long in the tooth. It's my second one, and I would consider another. I really dislike the Subaru Outback, which is possibly the only other realistic option.

[Fritz27]

Define "many customers."

[6cylVWguy]

There's a difference between whether I think something is cool and whether it would make sense for a company to bring something like this over. VW wouldn't be able to win with this car. First off, the cost alone for making this car would make it outrageously expensive. How much was the B6 AWD? What, like ~$40k? It would probably be close to the same if it had a diesel. And if it had a diesel, it would be horribly underpowered and about as quick as a Jetta S because it would come with the 140 hp TDI. If they wanted to put a different engine in it, VW would have to go through the whole expense and mess of certifying the motor for the US. And being assembled in Europe would simply ensure that the car remained stupid expensive. If they want to assemble the car in the US, it would likely require a complete retooling of the current passat plant, as IIRC, the USDM and Euro B7 passat are in different platforms.

It would be a mess for VW and it would cost more than anyone would want to spend. Who would buy the Passat when they could get the Volvo version instead? Ok 3 people in this forum would choose the VW. And at least one of them would only do it if it was available with a manual, which it likely wouldn't. Terrible idea.

We once again have another iteration on that all too familiar theme of why VW doesn't bring cars like the Polo (and now the Passat Allroad) to the US.

[Blonde Guy]

If VW would build a CUV version of the US Passat powered by the 2.0 TDI they currently sell here and with similar or better options for under $40K they'd have a hit. Three rows of seats would be good for extra credit. Don't forget how powerful the TDI is under 30 MPH during the test drive before you call it slow.

A smaller Passat Alltrack from Europe, with features cut to fit under $40K and an expensive, unique engine would be a miss.

[2VWatatime]

If VW would build a CUV version of the US Passat .

Something along those lines is already in the works...

[Seki]

I vote yes. But I wont buy one.

X2

[G0to60]

No. Who's going to buy one at a premium cost point?

I would also buy one of these. I have an allroad that is now 10yrs old so (like I said in the other thread) I would love a do all things wagon that's not an Outback.

Will they bring it here? Not as you see it. They would have to adapt the US Passat in order for it to be cost effective. I don't really see them doing that unless there is a Passat wagon on the horizon. I might have to just "settle" for the Audi A4 allroad in a couple years.

[worth_fixing]

I would buy one with a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 3.0 V6 TDI. That would be a proper f**ken car.

Do I think it would do well? Unfortunately, no, not really. People like cheap inexpensive boring cars. This is too exciting. Too much to handle for the typical beige camry owner.

[someguy123]

If they do bring it here it won't have:

-a TDI engine
-no 6-speed manual
-no AWD(what?)
-No HIDs/LEDs

No care!

[GCAutoparts]

mmmmm... Do want

[50fridge]

Since the Outback sells well in the US they should sell them. I think though they need to price it competitively because if it is to expensive no one will buy them. If they matched the price of an Outback they would do well.

[duke of chucchinchilla]

No. Not sporty enough, it would have to be priced around close to better new/used cars I'd rather have, and it still has a 100% standard Passat interior minus the Alltrack badge stuck on the ashtray cover.

Talk to me when the A4 Allroad with proper packaging/color options comes.

[2VWatatime]

Since the Outback sells well in the US they should sell them. I think though they need to price it competitively because if it is to expensive no one will buy them. If they matched the price of an Outback they would do well.

No offense, but ??? Imitate a brand w/fewer sales to justify new plant/expansion? Okaaaay

[MatchStick]

I am all for there being all kinds of cool cars sold here, but I don't think it makes business sense.

I don't think there's available market share and I don't think they could price it competitively.

[sandiegan]

strongly consider one is most chosen option??

[VDub2625]

Something along those lines is already in the works...

Is this the Q3 sized vehicle thing?

[zhenya00]

Would be seriously interested. The Outback is too ugly/tall/unrefined/etc, and can hit $35k with options. The XC70 runs $35-$40k real selling prices, and while beautifully equipped, has gotten too heavy and has terrible fuel economy.

Make this available with the 2.0 TSI or the TDI and DSG. Price it at about $35k and these will sell. Not in huge numbers, but they will gain buyers who will otherwise be unlikely to buy a VW. The Jetta Sportswagen runs about $29k fully optioned, and a Passat sedan ~$29-31k well optioned, so this should be feasible.

[VDub2625]

Wasn't the old German Passat wagon pushing 35k without AWD?

[Sepp]

They are late in the game again with this one.

Many years back, I was dearly looking to replace my Quantum Syncro wagon with something similar, and was trying to stay with VW.

NOTHING in the US from VW was avail, even though they are AWD models overseas.

I transitioned over to Audis...eventually even their cars left me cold.

[MatchStick]

strongly consider one is most chosen option??

remember the Amarok threads?

[Captain Spongeworthy]

I think the Passat Alltrack would do well if it were available in the right configuration. As a current Allroad owner, it is the perfect size vehicle, not too big not too small. The shortcoming of the Allroad is the fuel economy and lack of manual transmission.

Now if the Passat Alltrack was available with allwheeldrive, manual 6spd and V6 TDI (not the turd TDI motor of current and previous models) I would consider buying one.....remember, it's a VW not an Audi or Porsche, don't try charging me that kind of a price....

[Sepp]

I think the Passat Alltrack would do well if it were available in the right configuration. As a current Allroad owner, it is the perfect size vehicle, not too big not too small. The shortcoming of the Allroad is the fuel economy and lack of manual transmission.

Now if the Passat Alltrack was available with allwheeldrive, manual 6spd and V6 TDI (not the turd TDI motor of current and previous models) I would consider buying one.....remember, it's a VW not an Audi or Porsche, don't try charging me that kind of a price....

very well said! I totally agree!

[50fridge]

No offense, but ??? Imitate a brand w/fewer sales to justify new plant/expansion? Okaaaay

In the US up until last year VW and Subaru had similar sales number in the US. The Outback is popular in snowy climates in the US and I am shocked VW would not offer something like this in the US to take sales away from Subaru. In 2011 the Subaru Outback sold over 100,000 cars in the US. VW would be stupid to not offer something like this.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

[GolfVIDriver]

As someone who tried (really, really hard) to justify a Jetta Sportwagen....no.

For the Passat money, I got a Chevy Equinox with a V6, towing capacity, AWD, a higher stance for more comfort getting in and out, and more versatility. It doesn't do a LOT more than the Passat does, but what it does do is enough to justify it. The interior isn't as nice, but it's not far off, and with the V6 the Equinox more than holds its own performance wise.

For us, it was a matter of the SUV being a more family-friendly form factor. My wife has a bad back, and we have 2 dogs. We need the height that the SUV body provides.

[GolfVIDriver]

I think the Passat Alltrack would do well if it were available in the right configuration. As a current Allroad owner, it is the perfect size vehicle, not too big not too small. The shortcoming of the Allroad is the fuel economy and lack of manual transmission.

Now if the Passat Alltrack was available with allwheeldrive, manual 6spd and V6 TDI (not the turd TDI motor of current and previous models) I would consider buying one.....remember, it's a VW not an Audi or Porsche, don't try charging me that kind of a price....

The V6 Passat sedan is already a low 30 grand car. Add the cost of the diesel and AWD, plus a manual transmission that all of 5 people would choose, and I bet we're talking a $40,000 vehicle.

Thats loaded 3 row Explorer money, and I think most families would rather have the SUV. I know I would.

[zhenya00]

As someone who tried (really, really hard) to justify a Jetta Sportwagen....no.

For the Passat money, I got a Chevy Equinox with a V6, towing capacity, AWD, a higher stance for more comfort getting in and out, and more versatility. It doesn't do a LOT more than the Passat does, but what it does do is enough to justify it. The interior isn't as nice, but it's not far off, and with the V6 the Equinox more than holds its own performance wise.

For us, it was a matter of the SUV being a more family-friendly form factor. My wife has a bad back, and we have 2 dogs. We need the height that the SUV body provides.

You are one of very few people who would cross-shop the Equinox with a Sportswagen. For most people it's either one or the other - the demographics are generally worlds apart. I live in a town with a huge number of wagon owners, and know personally probably 20+ of them, and I can't think of a single one of them that would consider an Equinox. I know I wouldn't after several rental experiences.

That said, the Sportswagen is generally a bit too small for most people who might consider a wagon over a crossover or small suv. The Passat Alltrack would hopefully be large enough that the slight advantage you give to the Equinox would become even smaller.

[Captain Spongeworthy]

The V6 Passat sedan is already a low 30 grand car. Add the cost of the diesel and AWD, plus a manual transmission that all of 5 people would choose, and I bet we're talking a $40,000 vehicle.

Thats loaded 3 row Explorer money, and I think most families would rather have the SUV. I know I would.

Well, they better start cutting the pay of those Mexican workers down there.....

Kidding aside, bigger doesn't mean better, the Explorer is huge in comparison, too thristy and probably not as nice inside. in 2004 my Allroad sold new for $48k.

I see Outbacks all over the place in my area, I kind of like them. The new bodystyle looks sharp. They sell for mid to high $30k range I would think where the Passat Alltrack should be....

[GolfVIDriver]

Well, they better start cutting the pay of those Mexican workers down there.....

Kidding aside, bigger doesn't mean better, the Explorer is huge in comparison, too thristy and probably not as nice inside. in 2004 my Allroad sold new for $48k.

I see Outbacks all over the place in my area, I kind of like them. The new bodystyle looks sharp. They sell for mid to high $30k range I would think where the Passat Alltrack should be....

True, but keep in mind, these tend to be family cars. Famlies need room. And at that price point, there are a LOT of nice and very roomy SUVs out there that make the Passat seem a little ridiculous.

Just my opinion from someone who went through this excercise a year ago.

[2VWatatime]

In the US up until last year VW and Subaru had similar sales number in the US. The Outback is popular in snowy climates in the US and I am shocked VW would not offer something like this in the US to take sales away from Subaru. In 2011 the Subaru Outback sold over 100,000 cars in the US. VW would be stupid to not offer something like this.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01...s-figures.html

VW already has one line outselling the Outback, and will most likely see another outsell the Impreza. Spending the $ to go head to head in a small market isn't the way to meet the volumes VW is seeking...