Volkswagen introduced the Passat’s sixth generation in 2005 and, along with the sedan version, unveiled the station wagon model.
The fifth generation of the Passat was a highly successful model. Its reliable, fuel-efficient engines and large interiors made the Passat V an excellent vehicle. The sixth generation had to live up to its predecessor’s standards, and the engineers tried their best to make that happened. Unfortunately, the 2007 world financial crisis hit hard the sales, and the car’s underpinnings were not at the same level as on its predecessor’s.

The 2005 Passat displayed a new concept for the front fascia, with specific headlights that featured an enlarged, circular area for the high and low beams. In station wagon shape, it featured an extended roof, different rear doors, and a redesigned back with a liftgate. The taillights showed a very similar design to the ones installed on the sedan version.

Inside, the car featured one of the most unusual items on the market: a chromed Passat badge placed inside the instrument panel, on the upper side. Depending on the trim level and options, silver or wood trims adorned the center stack and the center console, but the door panels were black on their upper side and upholstery-colored on the lower side. For the station wagon version, the Passat VI Variant featured a 60/40 split-folding rear bench, increasing the trunk size from 513 liters (18.1 cu-ft) to 1641 liters (58 cu-ft). With a tire repair kit instead of a full-size spare, the car offered an additional 90 liters (3.2 cu-ft) of space under the trunk floor.