While negotiating the auto route and back roads of France during the month of July for the past several years, no vehicle has appeared more confident on the road than the Volkswagen Passat.

The European version looked different than the U.S. models I'd seen, but the Passats scooting down the highway and being adeptly driven through city traffic never got close enough for me to get a better look.

The newly designed 2006 Passat available in the United States, however, looks more like the European version. And after a weekly test drive of the 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower, V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission, it was easy to understand why the vehicle is so popular in Europe.

From a design perspective, the new Passat offers more room nearly everywhere -- it's three inches longer and wider, and the cabin is substantially more spacious with 2.4 inches of rearseat legroom. The rear storage area is slightly smaller than previous editions at 14.2 cubic feet. But there's more usable area, thanks to the newly designed and more compact rear suspension.

My test vehicle's exterior color, a rich dark blue, was nicely matched with a two-tone black and tan interior. The combination of new design and superior color coordination prompted a fair share of complimentary looks and comments from passersby.

The interior redesign also features some clever innovations. The Passat no longer has an ignition switch; Instead, a key fob is inserted flush into a dashboard slot.

Further, the Passat has double front-window visors, an umbrella holder in the driver door and an automatic hatchback operating system. The hatchback opens via the key fob and it closes via a push button inside the hatchback hood.

These nice features aside, driving the Passat is even more impressive. My test vehicle included Volkswagen's all-wheel drive feature called 4Motion, a new fully independent suspension and a sports package option featuring 18-inch wheels.

As such, the vehicle has an impressive grip on the road during as well as impressive acceleration and power. The manufacturer says the vehicle performs the standard 0-60 mph test in 6.2 seconds, which is slightly faster than the front-wheel drive version.

The Passat is more than adequately comfortable, with its leather seats firm and conforming. A leather shift knob and leather-covered steering wheel are also part of the $3,000 sports package option that also includes 12-way power front seats, steering wheel radio controls, automatic headlights, foglights, automatic climate controls, rain-sensing wipers, navigation system and satellite radio. The 3.6-liter Passat version also includes a power sunroof, AM/FM radio with in-dash, six-disc CD/MP3 changer.

The Passat's one overt shortcoming is that it's not particularly quiet. Road noise isn't the issue, rather the engine growls heavily during acceleration.

As a midsize vehicle, the Passat is a more expensive choice than its primary competitors, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. But the Passat has been a reviewers' favorite for several years, and it's hard to argue the succinct summation of Edmunds.com:

"With its fun-to-drive character, premium interior furnishings and wide range of features, the Passat is one of our favorite midsize sedans and wagons. Don't buy your next family car without driving one of these first."

The Weekly Driver: 2006 Volkswagen Passat

Safety Features -- Dual front, side and side curtain airbags.

Fuel Mileage (estimates) -- 19 mpg (city), 28 mpg (highway).

Warranty -- Bumper to bumper, 4 years/50,00 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles, Corrosion, 12 years/unlimited miles; Roadside Assistance, 4 years/50,000 miles; Free scheduled maintenance, 2 years/24,000 miles.

Base price -- $31,900.