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:

• 

  A Keeper! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Too Tall - April 27 - 10:00 am

  This wagon is an ideal vehicle for almost anyone. Itll carry four in total comfort, five in a pinch, and haul stuff in the rear that sedans cant match. And, with AWD, it does it in all but the worst blizzards. Performance-wise, it keeps up with all but the hottest performers on the road. The car is two years old, and Im still getting complements on how nice it is and admiring looks from other motorists.

• 

  Dont waiste your time!!! - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Brianpoo - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Its always in the shop.

• 

  Japanes No more! - 2017 Volkswagen Passat
  By Wen - April 27 - 3:10 am

  Im not a rich person my youngest car is 12yrs old and oldest 20yrs so it’s safe to say I keep my cars till they actually just die on me aka-Nissan 2002 , when buying cars I usually go for price I can afford also reliability. i was looking at the Hyundai for the 10yrs plus warranties but dealer will not give me a deal?? so I was going home disappointed and there it was VW (R-Line) drove in and sales person just got me not because his got smooth sales talk but when he TOLD ME THAT VW HAS LIFE TIME WARRANTY (as long as you own your car) engine/trani plus $1000 cast back :0 is this true? Yes. Manager told me (its on paper) even if you have 3hundred thousand miles, if anything breaks (as long as you keep up preventive maint) bring it in and will replace it $0 dollar. O yes also the comfort and quite ride my wife loves this car. You know that cliché happy wife happy life!!

• 

  New Passat TDI - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By conehead55 - April 25 - 8:05 pm

  I picked up my Passat TDI 6-speed manual a couple days ago from a dealer in Phoenix. Drove it home to Los Angeles. Thats 390 miles. When I got home, the "Remaining Range" on the tank showed 510 miles! Normally you associate 45-50 mpg with an econobox, or a hybrid. Not so here. This is a large, comfortable car. Yeah, there is a bit more noise at idle, which disappears when you rev it a bit. On the road, almost impossible to tell from gasoline power. Engine has plenty of torque, and cruises effortlessly at speed. If you remember the noise, vibration and smokey diesels of the 1970s and 1980s, theyve come a long way since then.

• 

  Solution to Interior SQUEEKS! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Nepsis - April 25 - 3:56 am

  First, I had to write just because several people mentioned interior squeaks in dash. YES, I had the same problem after a few miles and there is a simple fix. I purchased a can of silicone spray and using the spray tube simply lube all the seams around ctr console and wipe off excess. Can said safe for plastics and I had NO harmful effect to dash. Do this 2-3 Xs a week apart and be sure to get all the seems, even where black sidewall next to your legs meets ctr console. No more dash noise and silicone smell will fade shortly. On a side note I got 58,000 on original tires but did have cupping/noise also. MPG awesome w/35- 36MPG on my commute common. Otherwise A++++ mechanically.

• 

  Excellent Car - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Paul - April 24 - 5:33 pm

  This is my 2nd Passat. The new car is bigger, has more power, and gets 1.5 mpg gas mileage better than my 2002. The 6M is slick, but it should be available with more options...

• 

  SUPER ALTERNATIVE TO SUV - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By mitchw - April 24 - 10:00 am

  LOADS LIKE AN SUV, HANDLES LIKE A SPORT CAR, STAY AWAY FROM LIGHT CLOTH COLORS

• 

  Awesome Car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rick - April 23 - 6:40 pm

  Absolutely love this car. Tightest, quietest, most comfortable car Ive ever owned. Would buy another in a heart beat. Priced to compete w/comparable US models, this one beats them hands down!

• 

  I have to be honest! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Alex - April 23 - 6:43 am

  I am a big VW fan and Ive driven 3 different VWs, this 06 Passat is the latest one I owned and then reason I bought it is because of the performance and the design. I already know that they break a lot but i did not know that they REALLY BREAK A LOT! Ive had AC replaced, fuel pressure regulator replaced, rear brake replaced in 2 weeks of ownership- 1 week the car is in the shop. LUCKILY I am still under warranty until 04/2010, I dont know if I should keep this car or not, I still love the car, but I never thought it would be such a big pain, I have to be honest with you guys and it wasted tons of my time and money to drive the car to service and have someone pick me up!!!!!!!!

• 

  Love my Passat Wagon - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By LovemyVW - April 21 - 5:33 am

  I needed to move into a larger car. Previous car was 2003 Jetta TDI sedan and I really loved it. It got great mileage and was fun to drive but not quite large enough for a growing family. We decided on the Passat Wagon because we were in no way getting a minivan nor SUV. We wanted the performance and handling of a car and not the bulk or stigma of a van or SUV. It was down to the Passat or Subaru Outback. In the end we went with the Passat as VW bank was offering 60 mos at 0%. While there may be posts out there complaining about quality, weve not seen any issues yet. The same issues were reported for my Jetta and over 5 years, few of those issues ever arose.