With the right tires. I have memories of my uncles AWD I35 spinning all four wheels in the sand, on a beach in the outer banks.

AWD with performance tires kind of defetes the purpose.

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2006 CL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2026 Genesis GV70
2007 Tiara 3200

I know a service manager at a VW dealer who has never had a nice word to say about them.
My former coworker had one, a 1.8T. Piece of junk. The oil thing AdvisorGuy wrote about is paramount. Lots of O2/MAF sensor problems too.

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1984 300TD

I think my brother is going to pass on a Passat, and more than likely get a Subaru wagon of some sorts...

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)

Because it would be more economical and less likely to break

As others have noted the 8 ball joints up front can be a problem. And the use of regular oil in the 1.8t leads to sludge (It's too bad no one read the owner's manual, which calls for a 0w40 or 5w40 oil) The 1.8t isn't a very inspiring engine to drive in stock form, I've heard a chiptune makes them much more fun to drive. My dad has a 2004 1.8t sedan w/ 4motion and a stick... a nice but very hard combo to find. Drives very nicely, IIRC he gets about 30 mpg.

If your brother likes the subie he should probably get another. I hear they're great cars.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I guess I should update this...
He went with a 1992? Legacy wagon (AWD) he found for $1200, that is mechanical fine, and needs some minor cometic loving. The guy selling it thought it may need new struts and some other stuff, but that is no big deal to him (he did a complete performance suspension on his old Legacy).

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek (Mine)
2019 Subaru Outback (Wife's)
1979 300CD (sold)