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:

• 

  Dont Buy this Car or from Dorschel VW!! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By DStens - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems w/ my 2000 V6 Passat. After a year of driving I had on and off Emission problems for a year...numerous O2 sensors replaced and finally the coil wire and a recall put an end to those. In total about 6 trips to the dealer for the repairs over a years time. This fall w/ 36K miles my timing belt and water pump fail resulting in a complete engine rebuild which took my dealer Dorschel VW of Rochester, NY 5 weeks to repair. Now 3 months later I have a coolant leak requiring the engine to be taken apart again to be diagnosed.

• 

  Great Car needs a few improvements - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By alyle - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Owned my Passat for a year and a half. Id wait for the style change coming in 2005. Need to have a the immobilizer chip in the door. My car was broken into and the alarm didnt go off. Only goes off if the window is broken. A professional can break ineasily. Parts are expensive and you must wait to get them from Germany. Broken lock costs more to fix than what was stolen out of the vehicle. Drive by wire causes a slight hesitation when you step on the pedal while computer is thinking. Brake dust makes the brakes prone to squeaking requiring freqent cleaning.

• 

  Great car but...... - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Axis - December 24 - 2:00 am

  To date I have put on 11,000 miles. Great features and style for the price, I also like the size when compared to 325 & A4. This car could use more grunt in the V-6, especially off the line. My only word of advice is to make sure that you have more than one dealer in your area to service the car. I noticed the car vibrating (at 7,500 miles) when braking from 60 mph and the first dealer I took it to stated that they couldnt reproduce the shaking, a bunch of bs. I took it to another dealer and they were able to notice and promptly changed the rear brake rotors free of charge, problem solved.

• 

  Love our family wagon - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By lovemywagon - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Purchasing the Volkswagon Passat Wagon was a compromise between me and my husband. We previously owned an SUV which I hated from day one. I wanted a comfortable sedan. He thought we needed more space. We were also in the market for a new car for him. He got the sedan at the same time. We love them both. There are a couple of pet peeves I have about the vehicle - the blinker doesnt shut off until the steering wheel is almost in a straigt position and I find the windshield wiper controls hard to maneuver - but minor details compared to everything else. The back seat is also a bit tight with two car seats back there.

• 

  Alternative to a gas hungry SUV - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Germans do it best - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This es a good looking well built vehicle with a lot more space than a sedan to haul things. It handles road iregularities and conors very well. You really feel like you are driving something that is going to last a long time when you are behind the wheel. The 4 cylinder Turbo engine coupled with the 5 speed automatic does a good job of moving along in any kind of traffic. Turbo lag is not really a problem and you can enter a freeway on ramp with confidence. Styling is very good from any angle, but especially from the rear. The taillights are not only attractive but very visable to drivers approaching from the rear.

• 

  The Good Life... - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By glxpassat - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Edmunds.com is a great site, it has helped me a lot over the past few months with all the information provided. I just purchased a 2003 Passat (GLX sedan) and I really have no complaints about it. I love everything about this car, I feel blessed to be able to drive a car with such luxurious features. The only thing Im not too happy about is the gas mileage, its quite poor (avg 15mpg) and living in NY, gas prices have been known to climb over the $2.00 pg mark. On the other hand, Im driving a very nice car. I will be submitting another review in about six months, hopefully my views wont change much...

• 

  Hey Honda, Dont Look In Now - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By majjikdick - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving a Honda Accord EX- V6 for the past 4 years and was pretty happy --- happy until I drove my wifes new Passat. This car is better than the Accord in every phase of the game (handling, performance, comfort, appearance, fit/finish). This car cost less than $27,000. Youll pay about $33,000 for a BMW 3 series (4 cylinder, no leather). If you buy one of these jewels, you will not be disappointed. The Passat is very impressive: quick, comfortable, fun to drive, built like a Chase Manhatten vault, and beautiful. If VW figures out what all the fuss is about theyll probably raise the sticker price by $5,000!!!

• 

  Nothing but problems - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By claret - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I have very little that is good to say about this vehicle, or Volkswagen in general. I have had several unresolved problems with this car and the dealership where I bought it. In addition, if you ever have a problem with Volkswagen dont bother calling their headquarters. You will get rude, inattentive service with zero resolution to your problem. Problems: Thermostat, spark plugs, "false" computer chip errors, etc.

• 

  spend your hard-earned money elsewhere - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By bbdozer - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt be more disappointed in a car. Its been in the shop out of commission for a total of eight days in a two year period. In my previous ten years as a Nissan/Toyota owner, I was without a car a total of ZERO days! I regret my decision daily and am trying to sell as we speak.

• 

  GLX AWD - What a ride - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By flue_fisker - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Overall the GLX has been a great car..Ive used it on on long road trips to my short work commute...I enjoy driving it every time..great feel and definitely not a cheap feel..good solid German built auto..