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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  Great Car Except... 2 Things Drive me Crazy - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By jax20 - September 3 - 7:46 am

  Im writing this review because I just got backed into. And if the blasted horn were to work when the car is turned off it would not have happened. What I want to ask you Mr. Hans Designor is why must the hatch lock everytime it is closed? How is this a safety feature? And how in the world is it safe to be unable to use a horn when your car is turned off? A paranoid hypocondriac grandmother could not design a more annoying electric locking system.

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  Smart peoples SUV - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Laszlo - September 3 - 2:00 am

  I have been buying VWs for about 10 years.Ilove them they are the best cars out there for the money. This car drives, handles and looks like a $40k car. (I spent 24k on mine,everything,but leather and automatic.)

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  Another VW We Love - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jim - August 31 - 11:30 am

  Wife retired / traded in a VW Cabrio and GMC Envoy for our Passat. It is fun to drive with surprising acceleration. It has plenty of room to take our doberman (and her crates) to dog shows. Important points in our decision were that this car is a VW Certified used car and our dealers service dept. is second to none.

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  This car sux - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By Maverick - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the car used and for the first week was very happy. During the second week of ownership the check engine light came on and the emissions workshop indicator. After repeated visits to the dealer, the problem was unidentifiable. They replaced the MAF sensor and did other work. Fortunately the car was under warranty. However, a week later the check engine light went on again. After driving the car for a couple hundred miles the light went off again. Ever since then the light comes on and goes off whenever it wants. The car is not worth it. At the first opportunity I plan on dumping the car after 6 months.

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  2001 GLS Manual - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By euphoria68 - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this car about half a year ago and I love it. Its fun to drive and has better accelaration than old BMW 528. Great gas mileage once you get the hang of the trip computer. This car has most of all small features that others cars dont offer (Honda, etc)

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  a very fine automobile - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Tenney - August 29 - 6:30 pm

  My 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI is a high quality vehicle with the bonus of having very good mileage for a vehicle of its size. It has excellent handling. I would prefer a standard transmission, but the automatic is very flexible. The only thing I would change are the sunvisors, they do not provide enough side coverage. I have averaged 34 mpg in the first 9,000 miles in suburban driving and up to a whopping 41 mpg on long trips.

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  long live wagons - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By V Dubagon - August 28 - 4:36 pm

  I am new to the wagon, however we also own a 2006 Passat Value Edition. We love them both. They are always fun and stylish. This car definitley stands out over the Accords or Camrys. You couldnt ask for a better vehicle. It has oodles of room, lots of power for this size of vehicle vs. engine. VW has done it again. What a great car company.

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  if only... - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Javy - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this certified car 2.5 years ago. I really like the quality, the milage and how it drives. Like any other car it needs to be mantained, maybe a little more than other makes. So if you are thinking on buying one, ask other owners where you can get good service in your area. And try to stay away from the dealer as much as you can if you want to get professional service and if you dont whant to spend your kids college fund.

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  Practical but Troublesome - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By ShrinerMonkey - August 25 - 9:46 am

  The Passats excellent driving dynamics and a premium cabin cannot make up for its horrible reliability and incredibly poor dealer service. Even with regular maintenance which is extremely expensive because of synthetic and proprietary fluid requirements and expensive parts, this car has still had numerous part failures in only 60,000 pampered miles of driving. I love European cars but they are too expensive to own.

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  Love It! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jaylo - August 24 - 9:03 pm

  This is my third and favorite Passat. I have owned the B5 (00), B5.5 (02), and now the B6 (06). VW has really stepped it up with the new 3.6L Passat. I purchased mine with the Sport Package #1, Black on Black with the 18" Samas (best option IMHO for someone looking for a car that drives and feels like a sports car). I test drove the Acura TL, Audi A4, and BMW 325 for good measure, but IMO the Passat won in power, refinement, looks, and value for money. Maybe I am biased towards German (VW) engineering, but you would make a BIG mistake by not giving this car a serious look.