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:

• 

  Best Ive ever owned. - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jim Washington - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Ive driven many cars over the last 40 years including BMWs and Volvos. The Volkswagen Passat GLX V6 4Motion is the best car Ive ever driven extensively. The 4Motion adds substantially to the ride, stability and handling of the car. It corners better than full blown sports race cars of 25 years ago. At 80 miles an hour it is also the quietest car Ive ever had. Seat configuration and support is so good that an eight or nine hour drive is comfortably doable. The additional winter capability of the all wheel drive is icing on the cake.

• 

  Unhappy VW owner - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Ercan - September 17 - 10:00 am

  We loved the car but we had enough. First one headlight and both fog lights went out (in 6 months). Dealer HAD to remove the bumper for $500 to replace fog lights. Within 1st year motor for the rear window broke, CD player did not work for a while, some coil problem required another joyous trip to the dealer. The day running lights went out/fixed again. Just when we hoped not to see the dealer for a while we realized that one headlight was pointing down and took it back, only to be told that GREAT VW Engineering placed an ingenious $400 pulley to hold the lights, which had been broken. Now we r trading it in!

• 

  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By kachopsticks - September 14 - 4:39 pm

  My family purchased a 99 passat auto 1.8 turbo back in 2008 with roughly 87,000 miles on it. It has been my daily driver since then and now is about to hit 120,000. Since buying the car we have had to replace the following in approximate order: Power Steering Rack: $800 ABS break module: $250 - (we did the install) Turbo - $1000 Engine Coil Packs - $300 We have also had to replace lots of little things. My headlight assembly shattered randomly while driving. The windshield wiper motor broke ($100 for that part!!!). When replacing it I pulled out a NAPPA motor so it was the second time the part had broke. This is on top of regular maintenance such as tires, oil changes, and breaks.

• 

  It just keeps getting better and better - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By akalita - September 12 - 1:46 pm

  There are no matches for this car in this class and price range. I would even pick this over BMW 3-Series. The engine, even though its turbo, feels like V6, there is no hesitation, and it picks up speed flawlessly. Interior is like a soundproof music studio, no noise, except some wind noise at high speeds. Ride quality is impeccable. It is solid on straight aways, and cornering is supple, even though theres slight body lean in extreme cornering. The car stops on the dime and without any nose dive. Interior designers must be blushing from all the praise at VW. It is interior that looks like $40-$50K cars interior. Heated seats, mirrors, 6- speed auto, all windows auto up/down feature, much more

• 

  Love This car - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By ilmnc - September 12 - 11:00 am

  All my life I have owned American made cars. Then came time for a new car and we decided to go with a Passat for more room. The car can fit two full size children car seats and a booster in it easily and it is good on gas. I have never had so much fun driving a car before this one. Not even the new Ford Mustang was this much fun. I now find excuses to drive the Passat. It handles like a dream and is very responsive to my style of driving. It has a smooth and quite ride and an outstanding sound system. The standard safety features with the addition of the rear side airbags add a sense of security. You feel totally protected from whatever could go wrong during your drive. I love this car.

• 

  Avoid like plague! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By klee - September 10 - 7:30 pm

  Its a question of when and not if with regards to problems you will have with this car. I averaged a trip to the dealership every single month I had the car. Countless hours of my time wasted on getting all sorts of problems fixed. tire wheel bearing, reflash of radio, reflash of software, transmission valve, cam shaft, fuel injectors, spark plug, broken low horn, broken left speaker (non-standard speaker size so no aftermarking without fabrication), peeling of paint on radio, hard down shifting, cracked cv joint and of course, the excessive burning of oil! (well over a quart every 1k miles, was told this was normal! oh come on!) unless you like living at vw dealerships, AVOID!!!

• 

  Love to Drive - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Erin - September 9 - 4:06 pm

  I Havent had this car long but I love it. It is very fun to drive. Good fuel economy for a V8. When driving in the mountains I get between 16-18 mpg and on the freeway 22-25 mpg. I live in the foothills and the power is great going up the hills. I bought the car with 64000 miles and the only problem was whoever owned it last didnt have the rear brakes replaced properly and it broke the rear springs. Not a big deal though. I had it fixed and it runs fine now. Car seats fit well in the back and I have more than enough room in the back to fit all the kids stuff (Pop-up crib, stroller ect)for a weekend trip. Great Car and I have no regrets purchasing it.

• 

  Best Passat ever - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By mike - September 8 - 1:56 pm

  I never considered a VW, until I drove the new Passat. This is an awsome car. Pros: 6-speed transmission, key fob, auto hold, ESP, electronic parking brake, AC storage-glovebox & center console, 4-cylinder engine w/turbo, 8 speakers dyno audio, 8 air bags, LED tail lights...too many things to list. Cons: none so far.

• 

  The Best! - 2008 Volkswagen Passat
  By Y - September 7 - 10:36 am

  I have put 15k miles on it. So far nothing to complain about. Great handling, lots of power, comfortable ride, very good fuel economy while fun to drive. Beautifully designed.

• 

  Fun to Drive - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By coachB2003 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  After the test drive I just had to have it.