Model Year | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2009 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 | 2014 |
Model | 5-Series | 5-Series | 5-Series | 5-Series | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat | Passat |
Trim | 528i | 535i | 550i | M5 | 2.5L S | 1.8T S | 2.5L Wolfsburg Edition | 1.8T Wolfsburg Edition | 2.5L SE | 1.8T SE | TDI SE | V6 SE | 1.8T Sport | 1.8T SEL Premium | TDI SEL Premium | V6 SEL Premium |
Engines | ||||||||||||||||
Transmissions | ||||||||||||||||
Drivetrains | ||||||||||||||||
Tires | ||||||||||||||||
Audio Systems | ||||||||||||||||
Accessories | ||||||||||||||||
Automatically maintains set distance behind preceding vehicle as well as set speed. Can bring vehicle to a complete stop then accelerate back up to set speed. Replaces regular adaptive cruise control, and includes its value. | ||||||||||||||||
Pulls door tight after latch is engaged. Door can be shut with very little effort. | ||||||||||||||||
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available. | ||||||||||||||||
Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket. | ||||||||||||||||
Check on car and remotely control various functions (remote start, locks, lights, and/or HVAC) from a telephone or computer. Can require a monthly fee. | ||||||||||||||||
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||||||||||
Start the car using a button on the keyfob. Interior can be a comfortable temperature as soon as you get in. | ||||||||||||||||
Operate the power windows, sunroof, and/or convertible roof using buttons on the keyfob. | ||||||||||||||||
Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window. Includes the value of manual rear shade. | ||||||||||||||||
Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors. | ||||||||||||||||
Homelink. | ||||||||||||||||
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety | ||||||||||||||||
Rear disc brakes. | ||||||||||||||||
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common. | ||||||||||||||||
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars. | ||||||||||||||||
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time. | ||||||||||||||||
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes. | ||||||||||||||||
Applies the brakes to a slipping drive wheel to transfer torque to the other side, simulating the effect of a limited-slip differential. We haven't identified all applications, often implied by traction control. | ||||||||||||||||
Mandatory, in all cars. | ||||||||||||||||
Applies the brakes to hold the vehicle in place on an incline. Incomplete data, so only displayed when pricing a single vehicle. | ||||||||||||||||
Alerts driver when the vehicle seems to be wandering out of the lane. | ||||||||||||||||
Creates infrared-based image of the road ahead. | ||||||||||||||||
Beeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||||||||||
Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid. | ||||||||||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||||||||||
Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags. | ||||||||||||||||
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system. | ||||||||||||||||
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row. | ||||||||||||||||
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning). | ||||||||||||||||
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire. | ||||||||||||||||
Can be driven deflated for about 50 miles. Usually harm ride quality. Cars with these often have no spare tire. | ||||||||||||||||
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction. | ||||||||||||||||
Cargo Management | ||||||||||||||||
Usually part of an overhead console. | ||||||||||||||||
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat. | ||||||||||||||||
Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior. | ||||||||||||||||
Climate Control | ||||||||||||||||
Automatically recirculates interior air when pollution is detected in outside air. | ||||||||||||||||
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||||||||||
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value. | ||||||||||||||||
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features. | ||||||||||||||||
Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor. | ||||||||||||||||
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling. | ||||||||||||||||
Fan speed and/or temperature can be manually set for vents in the center console, B-pillars, and/or ceiling. Includes value of rear vents. | ||||||||||||||||
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row. | ||||||||||||||||
Provides heat for an extended period of time after the engine has been cut off. | ||||||||||||||||
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted. | ||||||||||||||||
Drivetrain | ||||||||||||||||
When one rear wheel spins, the differential locks up, sending power to the wheel with better traction. | ||||||||||||||||
Exterior | ||||||||||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||||||||||
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron. | ||||||||||||||||
Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots. | ||||||||||||||||
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust. | ||||||||||||||||
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler. | ||||||||||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||||||||||
Gas Guzzler Tax | ||||||||||||||||
Infotainment | ||||||||||||||||
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car. | ||||||||||||||||
Uses Bluetooth rather than a cable to integrate audio device. Requires compatible audio device and/or phone. | ||||||||||||||||
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers. | ||||||||||||||||
Includes CD player. | ||||||||||||||||
CD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player. | ||||||||||||||||
Audio system capable of playing DVDs on a front-row screen. Inoperative when the vehicle is moving. No value because of incomplete data. | ||||||||||||||||
High-definition radio, which broadcasts a digital signal. Free, no subscription fees. | ||||||||||||||||
Integrates an iPod with the vehicle's controls and speakers. Usually included if there is a USB port, but can also rely on a proprietary port. | ||||||||||||||||
Built-in drive with at least 10 GB of storage for MP3 and other audio files. | ||||||||||||||||
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files. | ||||||||||||||||
Screen-based navigation system. | ||||||||||||||||
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply. | ||||||||||||||||
XM or Sirius with one-year subscription. | ||||||||||||||||
SD, CF, PCMCIA, or other digital media reader. | ||||||||||||||||
In-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system. For 2011 and newer cars often includes a remote app. Monthly fee after the first 1-12 months. | ||||||||||||||||
Information about traffic plus weather, gas prices, sports news, and/or movie times. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||||||||||||||
Information about traffic conditions. Monthly fee after first 3-12 months. | ||||||||||||||||
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system. | ||||||||||||||||
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors | ||||||||||||||||
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||||||||||
High beams automatically turned on and off. | ||||||||||||||||
Passenger-side rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||||||||||
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle. | ||||||||||||||||
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights. | ||||||||||||||||
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it. | ||||||||||||||||
Lights illuminate area just ahead and to the side of the vehicle when the turn signals are used or the steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||||||||||
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle. | ||||||||||||||||
Projects various instrument readouts onto the windshield. Image actually appears to be floating over the nose of the car. Enables driver to keep eyes on the road. | ||||||||||||||||
Clears ice and fog from mirrors. | ||||||||||||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||||||||||
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror. | ||||||||||||||||
LEDs cast a soft glow over and/or highlight parts of the interior. | ||||||||||||||||
Front row reading lights. | ||||||||||||||||
One or both exterior mirrors tilt down when the transmission is in reverse, to provide view of the curb. | ||||||||||||||||
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked. | ||||||||||||||||
Includes value of manual remote mirrors. | ||||||||||||||||
Mirrors fold and unfold with the touch of a button inside the vehicle. Good for narrow roads and parking lots. | ||||||||||||||||
Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned. | ||||||||||||||||
Reports engine speed. | ||||||||||||||||
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats. | ||||||||||||||||
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights. | ||||||||||||||||
Seats and Interior Trim | ||||||||||||||||
Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together. | ||||||||||||||||
The outside seatback bolster automatically firms up in hard turns. | ||||||||||||||||
The outside seatback bolster automatically firms up in hard turns. | ||||||||||||||||
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat. | ||||||||||||||||
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette. | ||||||||||||||||
Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||||||||||
Manually adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||||||||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||||||||||||
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out. | ||||||||||||||||
Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||||||||||
Power-adjustable lower back support. | ||||||||||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seatback, to provide lateral support in hard turns. | ||||||||||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||||||||||||||
Power adjustable bolsters on the seat cushion, to prevent sliding out of the seat in hard turns. | ||||||||||||||||
Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||||||||||||||
Power-adjustable cushion length; provides better support for long legs. | ||||||||||||||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||||||||||
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment. | ||||||||||||||||
The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part. | ||||||||||||||||
The upper part of the seatback be be adjusted separately from the lower part; especially useful when the seat is heavily reclined, to better support the upper back. | ||||||||||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||||||||||
A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe. | ||||||||||||||||
Usually also includes synthetic suede on the pillars. | ||||||||||||||||
Seating surfaces are part cloth or vinyl, part synthetic suede. | ||||||||||||||||
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. | ||||||||||||||||
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires | ||||||||||||||||
Motors joining the left and right halves of the stabilizer bars twist them to further reduce roll in turns and disengages them to improve ride quality when not turning. | ||||||||||||||||
The steering ratio is automatically varied based on vehicle speed and other factors. | ||||||||||||||||
Shocks that electrically adjust their firmness based on sensor readings of the road surface. The driver might also be able to select a \"sport\" setting. | ||||||||||||||||
Same value as regular alloy wheels because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||||||||||
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models. | ||||||||||||||||
Transmission | ||||||||||||||||
Paddles or buttons that can be used to manually shift the transmission. Only listed when optional or not always included with an automatic transmission. |
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