Overview & Reviews

Volkswagen shuffles equipment around, creating Turbo, Komfort (Ja, that's with a "K"), Lux and VR6 trim levels for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat line. Rear side sunshades are now standard on all Passats, as is a power driver seat. Formerly known as the 3.6L, the Passat VR6 gains adaptive bi-xenon headlights as standard equipment. In addition, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is now standard on VR6 wagons.

• Ample power with either engine, balanced ride and handling, spacious seating for all, elegant cabin with exemplary fit and finish, available all-wheel drive.

• Prohibitively expensive with the V6 engine, options-laden four-cylinder models are pricey, too, excessive road noise with 17- or 18-inch wheels, poor fuel economy on 4Motion models.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 127.00

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  Excessively Burning Oil - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Andrew - October 11 - 1:26 pm

  I purchased a used VW Passat with 19k miles. At one point, I checked the oil dip stick and discovered the engine consummed 2 quarts of full synthetic oil in approximately 4900 miles. I approached the dealer and I was told this is normal for this engine. In fact, the service person stated, I should consider myself lucky, others are burning more! With no help from the dealer, I called the 800 VW number (March of 2010). As a solution,VW staff stated I could go to the dealer, have them change the oil, and return within the 6k oil change interval and at that time,(and at my cost) the dealer would weigh the oil and determine if I was within VWs standard.

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  Why buy an SUV? - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By VWGuy2008 - June 16 - 12:53 am

  There is nothing I enjoy more than crunching the numbers. As a car guy, I love all the details but when I started thinking about a Wagon vs. SUV, things got interesting. Cool factor aside, the SUV gives me lower MPG, more money for insurance, traditionally rollover prone, not as sporty to drive, typically not great in the rain... My new wagon is awesome, first tank of gas 29 MPG, try that in a Mid/Small SUV at $4.50/gallon for gas!

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  so far, so good - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By athena - June 15 - 1:36 am

  I bought my used Passat Base model 2 weeks ago. Drove a van since 1989. Love my Passat. It looks great, drives and handles really well. Good gas mileage, especially on the highway. Bumps are sometimes a little hard. Seats are very comfy. Loads of space and leg room in the rear. Wish more features were standard instead of optional. Good sound system too. So far, so good!

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  Oil Burner - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By jimmydean - December 22 - 6:53 pm

  I have driven this car 10,000 miles now. Changed the oil at 5,000 miles. At 9,200 miles the Stop Engine light comes on while driving. Check the stick and the engine was bone dry. Check engine light never came on. Brought to dealer and told it is normal to burn a quart every 1k miles. Dealer will not admit to engine problem. Now doing "oil consumption study". At 10,100 miles has burned another quart of synthetic oil. What kind of company is VW if it will not fix problems when presented with one. I feel totally ripped off having bought this lemon.

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  2008 Passat wagon 2.0T - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By passatpilot - November 29 - 4:46 am

  Focuses on differences with 2001-2005 model: Pluses: - Better handling, more handsome car overall -Great engine, quieter at high rpms -interior design, controls improved with few minuses mode" and wheel controls. -good overall size for a 4 people, cargo room on par with many SUVs -sophisticated 6sp auto with "sport mode Minuses: -Cheap "Golf/Jetta" platform has no sophisticated suspension from old A4,car bounces up and down with wider 16/18" tires -much louder at highway speed then the old model -driving position is less comfortable (higher chair position) -unrefined truck like idle engine sound -some cheaper interiors and controls -less fun to drive, lots of electronics -no manual brake

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  Good so far - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By carnut - September 28 - 2:03 pm

  Have 13k miles on it and so far no problems. Its our first VW and was a little hesitant with other bad reviews of corky problems with VWs. Early on had the tire pressure light come on with no tire pressure problems. Also, started it one cold morning and ran really rough, turned it off, let it sit 10 min and no problems since. Did a lot of shopping and this was the best lease out there. $406/mo - zero dollars down out the door, 10k mi/yr 15K dollar residual 36mo lease. Looking back I would go with the sport package (different seats, climate, wheels & brakes).

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  So far a good value for me - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Schooder - August 10 - 5:21 am

  I bought this car used at a dealer.7/2015 I live at 7000 above sea level and occasionally drive to 5400 (New Mexico) This is important to understand reference to performance. The 4 cylinder Turbo accelerates nicely at this altitude. It accelerates close to or better that my 2006 Toyota 4runner V8. I wanted to change the shifter handle for esthetic reasons and ended up damaging a small piece of plastic and ended up with a $1100 repair bill the replace the entire shifter module which had to remove from the bottom of the vehicle. The makers obviously was not intending this to be removed, so be careful if you want to change out the leather shift handle. I really like the way the windows operate. Typical German engineering, all the windows come up/down with one touch instead of just the driver door. There is a full size spare tire. The cruise control works great, one button push is all that is needed. And accelerates good. I bought it at 76,000 and now has 86,000 miles(1/2016). I think the ride could be smoother. I wonder if different tires would help. I think VW has always been a poor mans Audi. It doesnt feel as solid as or as smooth on the road as smooth as A4s I have owned.

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  Fun to drive - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Matt - July 8 - 3:26 am

  After two years of ownership, everything has been good. We were hesitant to purchase a VW due to past consumer issues. The zero down sign and drive is actually a pretty good deal. So we leased it and at this point I think we may buy it at the end of the lease. We were able to negotiate the price of the lease down, so make sure to explore that road. We have been very happy with it so far and would consider another one.

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  Wish the execution was better. - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By squashpup - June 26 - 7:36 am

  The car itself, in everyday use, is great. Comfortable, good power, good gas mileage, styling is excellent inside and out, roomy, sporty handling, fun to drive with a good feel on the road.

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  Pass on the left, if you can! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Doug - September 30 - 9:02 pm

  When merging on to the highway, this car is like a thoroughbred race horse jumping out of the gate. Left signal on, metal down, take to the express lane and hit cruise at 82. Slow down for the inevitable traffic delays with the left (-) paddle shifter & open the sunroof if it is a nice day. The sound system will easily drown out anyone elses sound system. I bought this car for its storage. Right away it needed: igniters, fuel pump, axle, alignment, brakes, lights. Timing belt broke two weeks after dealer "inspected" it. Now, with rebuilt engine, performs like new. Body & paint are in great shape. Glass is all like new. Plastic body panels require ArmorAll. For an "old" car, the design is still fresh. Turns heads wherever I go. Blacked out all the chrome & lowered it, with some 18s.