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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  STAY AWAY!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By niqui - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Stay away from the volkswagen passat!! Bought a 2001 vw passat, in & out of the shop for 3yrs. Engine light constantly coming on!! After 3 years it needed a BRAND NEW ENGINE!! Everytime went into the shop someone else had the passat(2001-04) in the shop for engine light & constant engine & electrical problems similar to mine. Pay the extra money & get a honda or a toyota, BUT stay away from the passat. If your heart is set on it please, please, please get the extended warrant. You pay a surcharge but it save me thousands of dollars. Lemon law would not cover me because the problem was not similar, but it was all engine problems. Do your research!

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  Hot smells and check engine lights - 2015 Volkswagen Passat
  By ty - April 16 - 2:32 pm

  hot anti freeze smells that they can’t diagnose. Check engine light shows electrical problems they can’t find and fix. Spending more and more time in shop. This time 3 days and no loaner and still not fixed.

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  Awesome Car! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By ServisWorx - April 15 - 11:00 pm

  The interior styling is awesome. The red spot lights over the center console is a feature that I have not seen in any other car. The electronic parking brake is cool (sounds like a space ship landing when you activate it). The handling is not as good as the previous models. The seats dont wrap around you as well either.

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  High Maintenance - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Fuller - April 15 - 12:33 pm

  I really liked the look of the Passat. It drives well, handles good, and gets pretty good gas mileage (24 on average). The brake system is terrible. I have had to have the rotors and the brakes changed every year and most of my daily drive is highway. You have to go to the dealership for every thing (head light replacements, wiper blades, etc.). Ive had to take it to the dealer at least 5 times for recalls. The kicker is the car requires high octane gas. It wont perform well on regular gas.

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  V6 AWD Passat - a Mini Phaeton - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By RLK - April 14 - 9:36 pm

  The V6 AWD Passat with Sport suspension is really an 8/10ths Phaeton. I have made several cross-country trips in this car and have been extremely impressed with its comfort and ability to make long driving days go by in a blur. unfortunately, my car had several minor electronic glitches, but they were all dealt with by VW. This car is still worth it. It looks and feels like a $50,000 $60,000 vehicle.

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  Second Passat Same Results - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By msassano - April 11 - 5:27 pm

  2001 model, 275K, 2nd set of brakes, only repair other than maintenance was tie rod ends. Virtually flawless. Now have a 2007 model, 160K, much stronger engine, fun to drive. No mechanical issues. Biggest issue is the VW dealership in Franklin, TN but the car(s) have been great. Maybe I have been lucky but seriously, no issues. BTW, still on the first set of brakes on the front and second on the rear with 160K. Stepping up to the Audi version with the next car because of the dealership, not the car.

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  Two New Passats - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Howard Phykitt - April 8 - 6:43 am

  The Passat TDI has plenty of pep for passing. Averaging 42 mpg to work and back (160 miles). Build quality and stability is as goog as a Mercedes. We liked it so much that we bought a second one. Radio on both cars in AM mode is raspy (seems like it is not on the exact frequency). My secretarys car which is a 2003 Passat has the same raspiness as our cars.

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  Cant wait to get rid of it! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By TiredofVW - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I leased this Passat (having leased before)and was confident that I was choicing a top rated vehicle. Within the short two year warranty, the car was in the shop for various issues: rear cup holder broke, rpm needle jumps while stopped at lights, loud noise from wheel well when making tight turns. So of course once the warranty ended, more problems arose: check engine light came on for "no apparent reason," rpm needle jumps worse than before, foul smell if the heater is on, defroster doesnt work. I babied this car with the best gas, regular service, and garaged it. Im extremely disappointed and am counting the days to give the car back to VW.

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  Great Middle of the Road - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By newPassatOwner - April 8 - 2:00 am

  The GLX is smooth but a little underpowered, very stable but a little soft with just a bit too much body lean to feel like a true sports sedan. The interior feels like a car $10K more expensive, although the power-heated- leather-memory seats could be a little more supportive laterally. The V6 is so quiet and the power band so even that the TipTronic is virtually useless...its very hard to "feel" the engine. VWs giving you a lot for your money with this car. The traction control prevented me from climbing a steep, snow-covered driveway...had to turn it off finally, but normally you dont notice.

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  Great car love 4 motion - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By BJP42 - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had for only 2 weeks but have been happy with everything so far. Very smooth 6 great great handling. Beautiful car in and out. Drove last nite in a ice and snow storm and remained glued to the road no slip at all.Great atention to detail interior is gorgeous. Only knock is the center arm rest storage is pathetic. But if thats the worst complaint, I can live with it. Lots of room Im comforatable at 66"