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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  Great decision - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wirespy - December 5 - 10:00 am

  Originally, we werent too interested in buying VW even though we enjoyed 4 different VWs over the years. I checked out BMW and Volvo and finally put some money down on a new Nissan Altima SE (260HP Manual) which would be a month wait when I decided to do keep looking around. I heard that VW doubled their warranty and decided to check out the Passat merely for its size and look. As soon as my wife and I climbed into the car we looked at each other and smiled. Needless to say, we bought it almost on the spot and havent looked back!

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  none - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By armen - December 5 - 10:00 am

  all ican say that ireplacedE320 for passat glxV6 and idont miss anythig .its the best car for the mony!!

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  Punches above its weight - 2012 Volkswagen Passat
  By caesara - December 4 - 1:38 pm

  Decided on Passat as best option among mid-size sedans with a manual option. Others with manuals only did so with uninspiring entry-level trim. Also like the SE/non-sunroof combination as I rarely use sunroofs and they reduce headroom. Looked at upscale sedans with manuals (BWM 5-series, Acura TL), but Passat ticks most of the boxes, and I have other uses for the cash. German engineering with made in the USA is a plus. So far (5 mos, 6k miles), very pleased in a variety of situations (commuting, kid hauling, nights out). No problems with build quality or otherwise. Black on black, with the style of the car, has a classic look that gets complements. Zehr gut!

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  Transmission is a disappointment - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By Mike Gordon - December 3 - 10:22 pm

  A decent car except for the Japanese automatic transmission. I owned a 2009 and 2015 Jetta TDI with the DSG transmission and am extremely disappointed with the transmission in the 2017 Passat SE. The upshift from 3 to 4 and the downshift from 5 to 4 are jerky and noisy, unlike the DSG transmission of my two previous Jettas. The jerk and noise is especially noticeable when driving normally at the speed limits in small towns but not noticeable when accelerating more aggressively with the gas peddle when getting up to highway speed. I would not buy this car if you love the smoothness of the DSG transmission in prior VW models. None of the Passat SE models had DSG when I was buying and I did not notice the difference when test driving, so I bought the car assuming that the 6-speed automatic Japanese transmission would be OK. I was wrong. The other minor annoyance is this car does not have park assist (which I dont care about) but I frequently get a notification on the screen that there is no park assist. Why would I want to know this when I dont have it? I will be trading in this car when VW decides to add DSG to the Passat SE line. The only model that has DSG at this time is the gas guzzling Passat SEL and the tradeoff isnt worth paying royalties to oil companies that have inflated prices at a time of historically low demand for fuel.

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  Like Getting Your Car Repaired? - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kimberly Willey - December 1 - 2:26 am

  I bought this car thinking it would be an affordable reliable luxury sedan. The interior and exterior styling is something you would see in more expensive cars, for less. But what we have encountered is endless problems with the electronic systems and poor customer service from the manufacturers and dealers. The car has been in the shop three times for repairs in less then four months with so far nine days and counting loss of use. With this last incident, the car had to actually be towed to the dealership for service. If you want a reliable quality vehicle-keep shopping!

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  Lots of "Wow" - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By USN - November 29 - 8:06 am

  7,000 miles. Tiptronic trans is great for heavy traffic and freeway ramps. All materials and assembly are 1st class. Test drive it at night: the lighting is "wow". It eats up the interstate-great chasis/ride/handling!

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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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  Maybe I should have let it burn. - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By New Milford - November 28 - 4:46 pm

  Bought the car as a leftover. Within 2000 miles coil pack burned out. Fire self-extinguished. 3 out of 4 Continental tires had tread separation. Transmission failed at 64,000. (VW ate approx $4,000.00 of cost, we paid about $1,000.00) The car is extremely expensive to maintain. New timing belt, waterpump, belt tensioner, thermostat. Cost: over $1100.00.

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  VW Certification is a Scam - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By soli1978 - November 27 - 10:16 am

  The Passat is fun to drive, powerful, and it looks good, but I have had so many problems with the car. I bought it as a certified used vehicle but still I am having a lot of problems in the first two months that I have owned the car. The certified program of VW is a scam. Dont believe it. Get it checked by another mechanic. Make sure you know all the 112 points of (so called) inspection when you go to buy this car and ask for every one of them. It is your right. And it will make sure the dealer you are talking to actually did the work to certify the car. Mine did not.

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  Quirky, but Fun - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By greenink - November 25 - 10:00 am

  Headlights burn out. Brakes squeal like a stuffed pig (they give you a brochure..seriously..called "You and Your Brakes" explaining this is normal!). The little "flipper" over the rear view mirror is for...what? The cup holders stink, you cant read the AC controls, people over 6 feet or 200 pounds should go elsewhere - especially if they think theyre gonna be sitting in the back seat (notice the "swoop" of the design). But. If you like to glide at 80 for six hours on the autobahn, man, this thing does it like a real player. And the AWD is unflapable in Maine winter conditions, which is saying a lot. Well built, comfortable. Quirky. Fun.