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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  VW Passat 4 Motion - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By bogolf - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle for family and fun, powerful V6 with 4 motion traction. Make me anxious for the snow to fall. Nice interior, handles great, a bit large for my taste but I have a family so must compromise a bit.

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  2002 GLX V6 - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By vwnut - July 3 - 12:36 am

  Have had GLX V6 for a year now. Great car, fun to drive. Interior and exterior look amazing. Smooth at speeds of 130mph. The car makes you wish there was an autobahn near by. If you can buy it, buy it.

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  Full size car with small car fuel compuption - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By thedude12 - July 3 - 12:05 am

  We opted for the TDI SE with the sunroof and DSG. The DSG transmission is a must, one hand holding the coffee and no worries about shifting. Also the DSG is quicker in acceleration, the 6 speed manual have to tall gears and have a tendency to stall. The interior is very roomy, specially the rear seats, I have friends 63" tall seating in the back fitting comfortably. The fuel compsuption is simply ridiculous, I went from Tucson to San Diego with a a little over half tank(420Miles), I average 43.8mpg with the A/C and the cruise set at 83 MPH. The interior is very well made and the ride is very quiet. It does 85mph@2500 rpm. We are filling every 3 plus weeks. Free maintenance for 3 years.

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  Looks Good. Huge Headache! DONT BUY A 2006 PASSAT!! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By laurae22 - July 2 - 8:45 pm

  I hate this car! I am currently selling it "AS IS". I have spent over $5K in the last 2 years that I have owned it. I like the way it looks and that is it! This car has been nothing but problems!!! The Check engine lights is always on. As soon as it gets out of the shop, it goes right back in for something completely different. There are no "cheap" repairs on this car. Nobody but a VW repair shop can work on them, and then they charge an arm and leg! If you live in a small town, it impossible to find someone who even knows how to change the oil properly. Plus they cost $150.00! Will by buying a Toyota Camry this time. NEVER WILL I BUY A VW!!

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  Horrible Car - DO NOT BUY ONE! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pat - July 1 - 1:16 pm

  I have owned my Passat since it was new. It has always had regular service performed by the dealer. I have had a slew of problems since the car was three years old (its a 2000). First, the drivers seat heater went out. The dealer wanted $1,400 to fix it. I needed an entirely new seat - apparently they cant take element out. At 86,000 miles, the check emissions light came on. I needed two new catalytic converters. What kind of car needs two, pray tell? That set me back close to $5,000 for the way overpriced parts. Then little things happened, the Tiptronic wont upshift, for example. The Tiptronic transmission alone cost $1,400 to fix. Then most recently, the passenger window came off its track - $400. I need a tranny flush - $485. In three years, I spent over $9,000 in repairs.

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  Its ok with a W8 - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By rough driver in MT - July 1 - 6:33 am

  Yea I read a lot of the complaints that these cars have but have you ever noticed that the complaints are only about the 1.8T? We have a 03 W8 passat and were the type that takes a car anywhere. Are passat goes through a lot of abuse because where we live has a lot of rough roads and unpredictable weather and it still runs ok. So if you are going to get one these cars get a W8 with 4motion because these cars are very heavy and do need the extra power and the 1.8T may do the job but stresses the engine to much causing parts to wear faster.

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  Watch out for transmission problems - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Will - June 30 - 7:26 pm

  We purchased a this car new in 2004. We noticed transmission problems immediately driving at low speeds or coming to a stop: the downshifting was sometimes violent. The dealership was poor to respond and later acknowledged that there was a software update which they installed. The problem was solved for a couple of years. One day while taking off from our house, a special dash symbol light came on indicating that the transmission was in the safe mode, meaning it could be limped to a dealer. This was in Dec 2007. The repair bill for rebuilding the transmission module was $2300. In short, expensive upkeep cost, poor dealership response. Next car might be American made.

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  Maximum Features for the money, - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By TigerBerj - June 30 - 2:00 am

  More features than BMW & Mercedes combined.

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  Having no fun with VW - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By havinnofunwith vw - June 29 - 10:40 pm

  I agree with the majority of other reviews. There are a few good points (mileage, fun to drive, roominess) but it stops there. This vehicle is junk. I have experienced many of the issues mentioned, as well as catalytic converter self destructing at 81k miles. I owed a Scirocco 25 years ago. Same deal - fun to drive but unrelenting issues. Swore at the time, no more VWs. The wife talked me into this, but never, never again.

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  Want Something Special? Get a Passat! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Future Repeat Buyer - June 28 - 10:00 am

  We bought a 2001.5 Passat in March 2001 after detail analysis. Passat’s Styling, Comfort, and Standard Features made the decision easy. Try getting 8 airbags in other cars. The Passat has been flawless for 13,000 miles and been to the Dealership only for scheduled maintenance. A/C is Ice- Cold. The engine and transmission perform excellent. Braking is superb.