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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  New Passast has Grown Up - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By magic1234 - June 4 - 4:00 am

  I just got the new Passast 3.6 and got rid of my Audi A4 with 160,000 miles on it. The Audi was a 4-cyl. quarttro and had lot of problems. So far I love the Passast. It reminds me of an Audi A6. The engine is strong and ride is ideal. I feel that the Passast has really grown up and can now compete with BMW and Audi.

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  Not Impressed - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pashizzle - June 2 - 11:56 pm

  Really wanted to love this car. Ive been doing Honda and Nissan forever and wanted to experience some German engineering. Be careful what you wish for - its been in the dealer longer than Ive had it, literally, for drivetrain vibration issues, throttle lag and mysterious tranny behavior. I hope VW can make this car what I expected it to be, a German engineered high value performance sedan. I may have to go back to Honda...

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  Sweet Ride - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ethan - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Bought our wagon with about 24k on it, it now has 56k and weve had 32k problem free miles. We were looking to replace it just to get something newer but realized that was pretty unnecessary. Nothing except a newer Passat wagon has the same space with the same features. Its not a performance machine but does nicely on the freeway and twisty roads.

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  All great, except, reliability is terible - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Karl - June 2 - 2:30 am

  I have own the car from new 2006, still owning today in 2016. Reason? I need the space of a station wagon and the driving pleasure of a sedan. Today you cannot find something like this in the artificially driving feel of SUVs world. Maintanance was about $1,500 per year for the first 3-4 years. Then it jumped to $2,500 for years 4 to 7. Then get ready. Are you ready? Ok. Here it is: over $5,000 for years 8 and 9. This year the 10th one, it is July and I have spent already $2,400. I have to mention that I like the car a lot, I have a company and I can deduct a part of maintenance/repairs costs. All service I did at authorized vw dealer, kept all invoices, records. So now I am wondering why some cars are reliable and others not? At the end it is a matter of respect for the customer who paid a lot of money to buy a brand new car. Sorry, but in the future, I will go with lexus, infinity, acura or even honda. To change the car every 4-6 years is too costly. Keeping a car 10-12 years is realiable. Think about the waste we are doing on this planet with all kind of goods we are buying because is fancy. People should be happy with little. Keeping the car 10-12 years will not save the world but it will send a strong message to who needs to listen. Wishing all love and happiness to everyone.

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  OK, but disappointed - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed - May 31 - 3:13 am

  I do mostly city driving in my 2001 Volkswagen Passat New GLS 1.8T. There is a lack of power while in 1st gear. Getting into 2nd gear still has a lot of resistence. In the 29,000 miles that I have had this car, the tires went bald, the driver door latch stopped working and I had to hold the door closed while I drove it to the dealer, the drivers head light died, there have been rattles, the ride quality diminished (takes bumps harshly), the auto up driver window hasnt worked once since day one, and it is true what they say about VW service...short and rude. I pity those who have bought the $70,000 Phaeton and have to put up with VWs dealer attitudes. Ill go back to Lexus soon.

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  Nice Car. Needs a better engine - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By BPL - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice chassis and excellent interior. The oil leaking underpowered 1.8T is the weak point. Ive known the original owner since she purchased it brand new. She took excellent care of it and kept up on regular services yet at 60000 miles it is leaking oil like the exxon valdez from almost every gasket and seal. I would expect better from a company like VW/Audi.

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  Love my VW - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rich Almeida - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car, Im now a VW owner for life. Only problem was a bad mass airflow sensor, which is pretty common on these cars, good thing i got a warantee. the new sensor is almost $400! Would reccomend this car to anyone, the ride is as good as any audi ive been in, exceptionally smooth and quiet.

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  First German Car - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By HSB - May 28 - 6:30 pm

  I had always owned/driven Honda and Toyota. This is my very first non- Japanese car. AND I AM IMPRESSED! The 2 weeks that have owned it, it certainly has been a great suprise. I got more for my money over Honda/Toyota.

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  satisfied customer - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By lead foot - May 28 - 10:00 am

  What a pleasure to drive! Aside from a few minor interior design flaws as mentioned by other Edmunds reviewers (cup holders, power jack, lack of stereo controls on steering wheel, and lack of lighting on the stereo control panel), we have been very pleased with our recently purchased Passat. We have an appreciation for power and pick up, having sold an Accord LX manual. Love the triptronics!! Compared the V6 to a Volve S70, and there is no comparison. A great buy!

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  Not what I had hoped for - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By 13passatowner - May 24 - 6:45 am

  I really enjoyed driving my 2013 Passat diesel but the turbo charger failed on it with 32K miles on it. We live in a rural area (sparsely populated/closest dealer is 1-1/2 hours away) and I have been talking to owners in the area and two others have had the same problem. This is my first VW and I am getting very concerned. I have had three Hondas and have not had any problems. Am thinking of trading off.