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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  A very disappointed customer! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By jts - August 14 - 12:53 pm

  Ever since I bought this car, Ive had continual problems. I have owned it for 6 months and it has been in for service 8 times (6 times within the first 2 months) for intermittent problems with the electrical system, transmission, tire pressure malfunction and various other issues. In addition to all these technical problems, VW has not shown any concern nor did their corporate offices respond to a letter detailing all the issues I have had and continue to experience. This was my first VW and it will be my last. Be cautious!

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  Nuisance problems, but Id buy another - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By sljarvis - August 13 - 10:00 am

  Was reading some reviews and thought much of it was familiar. Ive put 95K on my V6 Passat in just under 4 years. GREAT car to drive, but have had some nuisance problems. Paid $225 for r window. Now r doorlock, $379 to fix. HVAC lighting is out, am told its not a bulb or fuse...have to replace the whole unit for $179. No thanks, I can deal w/no light. O2 sensor also bad, $300+ to fix. Vacuum valve replaced under recall & water pump under 100K warranty. New tires 2X & new brakes & rotars (I drive it hard). Oh yeah, trunk lt & glovebox lt also out...not fixing those either.

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  Nothing but problems - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By nomorevws - August 13 - 10:00 am

  After owning this car I would never recommend a VW to anyone. While materials are first rate, assembly quality needs improvement. Reliability was a major issue. I needed to spend $500+ on repairs at 51K miles in addition to a number of things that were repaired under warranty. Parts prices are ridiculous!

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  Some kinks to be fixed - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By firstvolkswagen - August 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car six months and Im glad I bought it, but there have been a few problems. The fuel sensor malfunctioned and had to be replaced; one of the keys had to be fixed because it had a short and the car jerks when I take off (if I gun it). But its pretty sporty for a family car and I dont regret buying it.

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  Less for More - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By ewolfers - August 12 - 7:43 am

  After owning a 2004 Passat Wagon I was surprised to find some of the downgrades in the updated version. The dashboard materials screem General Motors-like, not-quasi luxury Euro car. The door pulls are hard plastic instead of kind of rubbery like before. The front seats are flat as pancakes offering no thigh support, so much for that five hour road trip. Theres also no lateral support in the front seats. The seats and the long straight dash remind me more of a Buick than a VW. The new dash is very far away and high up making forward visibility poor.

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  Plastic Explosives - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By MJ Lynch - August 10 - 11:33 pm

  The car runs well, but it falls apart. The plastic parts break(radio knobs, garage door opener, antenna, engine design components, seat knobs), and the rubberized paint used in the interior peels (door handles, center console, the unused ash tray covers). The seat leather is shoddy. All this makes the car appear very old -- and I drive it very little -- about 5,000 miles a year. Great highway mpg with the 4 cyl (35 mpg); not great in commuting traffic; ok (22-24 mpg) otherwise.

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  Now Thats A Car! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By RheyLEW - August 8 - 4:36 am

  Was initially interested in a Mazda6 for a long time. Made the mistake of sitting in a Passat CC first, went to Mazda and wasnt impressed, the German design and meticulous attention to detail is phenomenal. (Its the little things) cleverly designed umbrella holder in door, pull-up window shades, radar for adaptive cc and parking assistance, bi xenon headlights, LED tails, cargo and shopping bag hooks in trunk, heated side mirrors that point to curb when reversing, auto door lock, moon roof, rain sensing wipers that you dont even have to touch, wonderful lighting and dash, power windows all around, 4 cup holders, secret compartments. Powerful v6 engine with paddle shifters! Whooo- weee!

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  Best compromise for $15k - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By 04passatvariant - August 7 - 10:30 pm

  Wanted an A4 Avant but too expensive and Quattro slaughters gas mileage - I recently bought an 04 1.8T wagon 5 speed - all I can say is FUN. Came from a 05 Grand Cherokee at 14 mpg, the Passat has more room, is SO much fun to drive, and returns 23/30 mpg.

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  Used to love it - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Angry@VW - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought my passat a year and a half ago and since have had to buy three sets of tires, a new airconditioner, a new power mirror motor, the computer says there is an emmision problem when none exists(making it impossible to pass the car in inspection), and now at only 70000 miles the head has cracked forcing oil into the radiator(without overheating). This doesnt seem normal on a car that has been regularly maintained and garage kept. A friend of mine has a 98 passat and has had over $6500 in repairs in the last year. I would expect much more from a car so close to the Audi A4. Dont buy a Passat unless you want to drive a rental every couple months.

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  I love this car! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By tristras - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Bought it last fall after months looking for a gently-used 2001.5 or 2002, but couldnt find a V6 anywhere. Traffic around DC can be frustrating, but I stopped complaining about my commute after buying it. And if I ever think I spent too much, all I have to do is drive something else to realize that every last penny was worth it. This car looks great and is a blast to drive! It handles wonderfully (I cried for my old Saab every day that I drove the very vanilla Dodge that replaced it, until I bought the Passat), is great on short AND long drives (nearly 24,000 trouble-free miles), and handles anything from sand to snow with aplomb.