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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  A Great Car - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Dennis C. - November 24 - 3:13 pm

  My wife and I both love this car, a 2010 Passat with navigation. We previously drove a 2007 Hyundai Azera, and the VW is quieter and handles better. I like the auto hold feature, bluetooth phone, and the Nav system is great (way better than the Garmin we used in the Azera). The seats are very comfortable, and the back seat has nice headroom. Ive only filled it up twice, I think Im getting around 25 or a little better mpg, mostly highway

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  Love and Hate Relationship - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By tmf12192 - November 20 - 11:28 am

  I loved my Passat, but hated when it went in for service. I work at a VW dealer so Im thankful for an employee discount otherwise Id had to get rid of this car long ago. It didnt matter if it came down to something as little as an oil change there was always something wrong. I owned my car 3.5 years and through 4 PA state inspections and it didnt pass any of them on the first try. I bought the car with 70k and trading it in on Tuesday with 115k on the odometer. Currently no check engine light, but to pass emissions it needs an O2 sensor and possible vacuum pump. After 3.5 years and almost 6k spent on service Ive had enough. I loved the look and feel of the car just not the upkeep.

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  Consumer Reports Top Pick? - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By gojo - November 18 - 7:20 pm

  Two weeks after we bought the car, we were smelling oil. It took the dealer two weeks to fix all the leaks, they had to redo the top half of the motor. We later found out it was the second time these repairs were made in 40,000 miles - luckily all under warranty. It needed a new air sensor, two new air pumps, new a/c hoses, and new rotors. Both the front blinker assemblies fell out while driving the car (within eight months of each other). The parts man at the VW dealer said this happens frequently. All of these problems in 50,000 miles. Now it needs over $1,000 in preventative maintenance. What do you think?

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  Unfortunate Experience - 1999 Volkswagen Passat
  By Former Passat Lover - November 18 - 11:00 am

  Everyone told me that I should expect at least 150,000 out of this car. Well, it just died at just over 100,000 miles. Perhaps that is not just a bad story, except that I had to get the engine rebuilt at 75,000 miles, the oil pan replaced at 50,000 miles (the dealer gave me a hard time about the warranty too!), and just about everything else replaced along the way. Since owning the car, I have spent probably about half of the purchase price just trying to keep it in working order (and I am a responsible driver who takes it in for all the checkups). Drivers beware.

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  Achilles heel: Navigation System - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By pnwsteve - November 15 - 8:35 pm

  Overall good results, but the one exception is so frustrating and "in your face" that I would not buy this vehicle again. Its the Navigation/ Bluetooth/ Stereo/ Backup Camera combo. The system is super slow and locked up for me four times. Music keeps playing, but nothing else works. Volume is stuck, navigation may or may not continue. Once the unit rebooted by itself after about 20 minutes, the other times I had to stop and shut the car off for 5-10 minutes. Onscreen button are slow to respond and sometimes dont respond at all. Entering an address while on the go is not practical. Valid, well-established addresses often dont work (~30% of use).

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  4Motion Fun - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By 4Motion007 - November 15 - 8:20 pm

  No problems yet (13,000 miles). With a fully loaded car traveling over 1200 miles in one trip I averaged 29.7 mpg. Here in Denver on 91 gas with 60% stop and go highway and 40% city I get 25 mpg. In the snowy mountains the AWD and Pirelli all season tires handle better than my ford explorer. Interior is very comfortable, quiet, and nicely finished. The stock radio sounds great and satellite radio is a nice addition. The iPod adapter is nice, but does not work well with new iPods. HID lighting is great at night. Parking sensors are great when parking in tight spaces. Paddle shifters are great when controlling speeds down mountain roads or for just having a blast punching the throttle.

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  Great Car - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By asl157 - November 10 - 3:46 pm

  In almost 80,000 miles of driving, I can honestly say this has been a great car. My dealership has been outstanding. Except for the two recalls that were handled promptly, all other service visits were for wear and tear items like normal light bulbs burn out, vacuum hoses need to be replaced, etc. Im not trying to be a VW apologist, but in my opinion a lot of the things that people complain about in this forum are maintenance issues, not reliability issues. Regarding the turbo/oil system issues, I have had no oil problems with this car, but I have used synthetic since I purchased this car. I think this should have been standard with a turbo engine, anyway.

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  Fun to Drive/Dog to Own - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By SPS - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive this car. Unfortunately, I cannot relax in this car due to the problems that I have experienced. When I picked up the car, the sunroof did not work. The brake light on the spoiler shorted out in less than 1 year. With premium gas, still had a bad fuel injector at 22,000 miles. Went for my first post-service warranty oil change to find out that I was short over 2 quarts of oil in less than 5,000 miles and required an engine flush. Mechanic thought car had 100,000 miles, not 30,000. I have taken excellent care of this car - I now check my oil at nearly every gas fill - and I get the feeling that the engine could go at any time.

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  Pay the extra cash upgrade from Jetta! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dandadtodandB - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I upgraded from the Jetta, because the 2002 was falling apart. I should have spent the 2k more and got the Passat from the start. The handling is great, the mileage is better than the Jetta, I get 22mpg city, 26mpg hwy. The car is have all the fun of the jetta, but with more power. Power is more than adequate. Taking some getting used to the 5 speed auto and turbo lag. Way underpriced for what you get.

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  The Best Car Ever Built - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By larry golin - November 9 - 2:06 pm

  Most people who drive with me think the car is a V8 it has tremendous pickup, the seats are perfect for long distance driving with correct lumbar support and height adjustment. The car is equipped with all kinds of little niceties that others do not have. Such as lift away windshield wipers, stickless front hood holds, both front window express up and down, outside control of windows and moonroof with key window control without the key turned on, on board computer with total MPG and momentary MPG, total miles left on tank, Long term MPG and short term MPG etc. etc. It has both manual and auto shift which I like to brake the engine or going on a twisty turney road.