Five-Point Inspection: Volkswagen Passat HyMotion Research Vehicle

The driving feel:

Since you know it that it’s so very different than any other Passat on the road, it’s easy to be hypersensitive to all the nuances and quirks of this hydrogen powered car, but the truth is that it feels very normal to drive. It combines the usual smooth road-manners of the currently available VW mid-sized sedan with the quiet and torque-heavy thrust of an electric car.

But compared to the least powerful engine in the gas powered Passat (the 1.8-liter turbo that makes 170-hp) the electric motor is less powerful and overall an enthusiastic vehicle to drive. I’d call it acceptable for driving around town, but am not confident in its highway ability.

Volkswagen gets the steering and braking in the Passat HyMotion right. It feels nicely balanced in corners and the regenerative braking isn’t aggressive enough create an unpleasant rocking motion once you take your foot off the gas pedal.