Overview & Reviews

The Volkswagen Passat has long been a favorite among shoppers looking for a little more luxury and style in their midsize family sedan or wagon. For many folks, the Passat has traditionally filled the gap that exists between normal, humdrum family cars and the financially out-of-reach luxury brands. Displaying a classy, restrained style inside and out, the Volkswagen Passat gives the impression of quiet competence, which is borne out by its refined driving character. A quality cabin and competent handling, along with a supple ride, are typical Passat traits.

The latest Volkswagen Passat is the biggest Passat yet and is priced considerably lower than before to more closely compete with mainstream family sedans. There has been some cost-cutting to meet that lower price, though, which means the Passat may be a little less appealing to aspiring German luxury car owners. Still, we think it has retained enough of its premium feel to make a case for itself as a gateway vehicle. As for used Passats, both second- and third-generation models are very good picks.

Current Volkswagen Passat
Available in a quintet of trim levels (S, Wolfsburg, SE, Sport and SEL), the current Volkswagen Passat boasts many of the qualities that have drawn folks to German cars in the first place. The well-controlled, buttoned-down ride quality is one, while its restrained exterior styling is another. The cabin, though not quite as special as that of VW's CC or the old Passat, is still one of the nicer environments to be found in the class. It's also one of the most spacious, with plenty of rear seat legroom and a large trunk.

The base Passat "1.8T" engine is a peppy yet fuel-efficient 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 170 horsepower. It is one of the more appealing engines in the midsize sedan segment, yet the Passat TDI's diesel engine is nevertheless worth strong consideration. Although a tad louder and with more low-end power than the 1.8T, the driving experience is similar enough that its 34 mpg combined fuel economy comes without a drivability penalty. Its highway fuel economy is actually better than what some midsize hybrid sedans can achieve. For those seeking more power, a 280-hp 3.6-liter V6 is also available.

On the move, the Passat is an engaging sedan to drive thanks to its well-sorted suspension tuning, precise steering feel and strong brakes. The car also manages to earn high marks for ride comfort, which is ultimately more important considering the fact that most buyers will be far more concerned with schlepping kids to school or co-workers to lunch than taking a spirited drive along winding back roads.

In total, the Volkswagen Passat is a midsize sedan that's worthy of consideration alongside the stalwart class leaders from America and Japan. While it still mostly looks and feels like a German car, it now has the generous space and attractive pricing expected of an American one.

Used Volkswagen Passat Models
The Volkswagen Passat was completely redesigned for 2012. It is larger and less expensive than the car it replaced, putting it more in line with American expectations for the midsize sedan class. Since that debut, there have been just a couple of notable changes. Specifically, these Passats came standard with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine good for 170 hp. It was sufficiently powerful and efficient, but loud and unrefined, making one of the other engines a more appealing used car choice. It was phased out midway through the 2014 model year in favor of the current 1.8T engine. The current Sport trim level and the Car-Net telematics system were also unavailable.

The previous, third-generation Passat was produced from 2006-'10 in sedan and wagon body styles. It was larger than the car it replaced and Volkswagen made an effort to move it upscale, increasing feature content and price. Perhaps as a result, this Passat wasn't as popular as previous versions, but generous passenger space, a high-quality cabin and strong engines should make it a good used car pick.

The standard engine for this third-generation Passat was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produced 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard and a six-speed automatic was optional. From 2006-'08 a narrow-angle V6 known as the VR6 was optional. This engine pumped out 280 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque, and it could be had with all-wheel drive in the 3.6 4Motion trim. An automatic transmission was standard for the V6.

There were initially four trim levels -- Value Edition, 2.0T, 3.6 and 3.6 4Motion. Even though the lower trims had steel wheels, other desirable features like a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auxiliary audio jack and high-quality leatherette vinyl upholstery were standard. The upper trims could be had with luxury features like adaptive xenon headlights, automatic dual-zone climate control and 12-way power front seats.

The short-lived Wolfsburg trim level in 2007 added some extra luxuries and visual distinction to the 2.0T model. For the 2008 model year, the trim levels were renamed Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. For the final two years, Volkswagen dropped the V6, reduced the Passat to just a single (Komfort) trim level and discontinued most of the car's upscale features. A new hard-drive-based navigation system did become available, however.

Overall, our road tests of the time had good things to say about this generation of Volkswagen Passat, from the high quality of its fit and finish to the engaging yet fuel-efficient performance of the turbocharged engine. Tuned more for ride comfort than clipping apexes on a twisty road, the Passat's suspension nonetheless struck a happy balance between a plush ride and athletic handling dynamics.

The second-generation VW Passat was available from 1998-2005. It was a little smaller than the third-generation Passat but was very popular thanks to its tasteful styling, peppy performance and solid Germanic feel. Based on a stretched version of the Audi A4 platform of its day, this Passat offered an unusually upscale feel. From the way the doors shut to the way the car absorbed bumps without drama and confidently carved its way along a winding road, this Passat was one midsize sedan or wagon that was actually desirable. This certainly had an effect on our editors; both the sedan and wagon were Edmunds.com Editors Most Wanted award winners for five straight years, from 2000-'04.

Engine choices included a 1.8-liter turbocharged four called the 1.8T that made up to 170 hp, a silken 190-hp V6 and a short-lived 270-hp eight-cylinder W8. Equipped with the W8, the Passat grew too heavy and expensive to have widespread appeal. During most of the car's run, VW offered 4Motion all-wheel drive as an option on V6 models (it was standard on W8 models). A frugal 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine called the TDI became available in 2004. For used-car shoppers, any Passat should be fine, but those built for 2002 and later are the best choices, as they received updated powertrains and beneficial chassis improvements.

The first-generation Volkswagen Passat (1990-'97) sold in North America isn't quite as desirable as its successor. Although space-efficient, this Passat's styling was boxy and a bit strange, especially during the first five years when it had a grille-less nose. The base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine was not a strong suit in these earlier Passats either, as it was described as rough in nature and was taxed with moving this midsize sedan. A few years after its debut, the Passat received more gusto under the hood in the form of the 2.8-liter, narrow-angle VR6.

User Reviews:

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  comfortable - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wayne Fang - March 31 - 10:00 am

  It is very comfortable and fun to drive. It is one of my best decision to buy Passat.

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  Sad to give up too! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By cindyaj - March 30 - 9:36 pm

  First comment, I will never buy another Volkswagen. Had the emergency brakes went out a year ago and now my blinkers went out. At 56,000 miles the dealership flushed engine, said all okay to drive, my car died highway 100 miles out of town and had to be towed back and a new engine was put in, was very costly. I only put on 20,000 miles at first year and the dealer said it was my fault not getting regular oil changes. With no rental car provided (not covered by warranty). I also had front cv joints with axle, emission sensors and have been driving with "check engine" light on for 2 years and battery replaced! My sunroof is leaking I can not afford it. Driver side door lock is not work

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  The last passat review you need to read. - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Christian Schroer - March 30 - 10:17 am

  Its like this, no one does it like the Germans do. Remember that. This car has a soul. It will ask for what it needs. And you better cough it up or it will betray you. Off with the bad first. Scheduled matinence is here to help you. Follow it to 120k than worry about the big stuff down the road. If you actually do what the people who engineered this car intend for you to do, it never fails, and even the wear you get just adds character to the car. It eats brakes, and at 4750 lbs, no one is sure why anyone is surprised by this. On a positive note, every time you get in, youl want to rub your shiny VW emblem and you will grin like an idiot when you snap out your switch key and gracefully start up in one fluid motion. Underway, the Passat is a lock and follow machine. Not car. Machine. I have never owned a car that spoke to my soul like a VW. When you walk away, you will look back as the small horn blips when you lock it. You may find yourself showing off the fact your windows go up and down without getting in the car, and you can turn the stereo on while the car is off. When you have the Monsoon audio system cranked around 80% or so with a new-to-you CD of your favorate music in the trunks changer, you find that vibes flow in the wake you cut through the air. Your friends will want to ride with you. You will walk outside at 3am to smoke a cigarette and watch the gleam of orange light from the streetlamp reflecting off your sharp 6-spoke allow wheels. If you see that Passat as ugly, simple, or basic, great. You have never owned a Passat. This car is art. And if you see it as such you will understand why people own these cars. This is not a race car. This is not a off roading car. in fact, its not even a car built for being really great at any one thing. But that in and of itself is exactly why you should buy one. VW just made something...thats really good at just being a car. And there is something to be said for that.

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  Great car! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Eric - March 26 - 8:23 pm

  Ive had my Passat for only a week but its a great car! Its fun to drive, has ample space in the rear seat (teenagers), gets good mileage and is substantially less than other European cars its size. Its definitely the deal of the decade! The only nitpicky thing I dont like is a little hesitation upon hard acceleration. Other than that, the car is great.

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  From Pashizzle to Pasham! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By pashizzle - March 26 - 11:40 am

  This is a second chance survey to help offset my previous post. VWoA came through with a software fix, reflashed the ECU and KAPOW!, the car has come to life!! There is no more throttle lag and hestitation, lurching or bucking. Now it is smooth, linear power delivery and fun to drive factor just tripled. Had it been like this originally I would have given it a 10.0. Kudos VW!

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  Diesel is the way to go - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By dapack - March 24 - 2:23 pm

  A sports sedan that gets on average 35 mpg, who could want more! The only negative is diesel fuel is very expensive in the winter months. Friends marvel at the room and trunk size when the car seems almost compact on the outside. Lots of features, very good value. Hopeful I will not have to visit the dealer much, VW can have reliability issues.

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  luvin it! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By lilfay - March 24 - 12:02 pm

  I received my passat by accident, but it was a miracle, when i first drove it i was shocked by the solid drive and how smooth it was, it just felt good, i am blessed to say i have had no problems thus far and i am almost on my 1st year with it, only gripe is the anti freeze leaks and must be replaced every 3weeks or so, its a 250 job i dont wana pay for so ima just keep replacing the antifreeze, but this car atleast lets you know that it is low jus like the over protective gas tank which also alerts u when u r at the 1/8 mark, over all this car has been very good 2 me, i do my scheduled maintainence and it maintains, i am lookin 4ward 2 more german cars and ill keep this til its dead :)

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  An Excellent Choice - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By roadcyclist - March 23 - 5:46 am

  This is a car for the ages. I believe price is irrelevant but its nice to buy a car under $30,000 and get $60,000 worth of quality and performance. Im coming from an Audi A4 and this is a finer car in comfort, appearance, safety and performance. People should test drive the Lexus, the Mercedes, the Jag and the BMW and THEN take a drive over to the VW dealer and take the Passat for a spin. Youll be shaking your head in disbelief as the Passat is the complete package. Its got it all.

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  Looks good, eats money for lunch - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Z75 - March 22 - 10:00 am

  As other reviewers have said, the Passat is a good-looking, great-feeling ride. It hasnt been very reliable, though. In the first week, it failed inspection because of a leaky brake caliper (fixed under warranty). 4 years and 56k miles later, I had to replace the water pump, fix two oil leaks, replace all four disks and pads, replace all 4 tires, and replace another brake caliper. Not to mention the fuel filler neck recall (free, but annoying). Ive spent about $4k on my car in the past 8 weeks. A lot of it is routine wear, but I wish it werent so damn expensive.

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  Passat GLS 1.8 Tip - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By lreven - March 22 - 10:00 am

  We love this vehicle. Gets looks! I miss the days when less people drove VWs.