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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  My New Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By dominik - December 4 - 3:53 am

  I wanted to say that I went look at Hondas, Toyotas, Acuras, the Chrysler 300, and the Audi A4 and Passat came out the best. It has the best technology, it is new model for example compared to Audi A4, and it feels really cool when you drive it and do not see that many Passats on the road, I love the halogen lights, they turn blue, almost like the xenon. I am from the Czech Republic and my dad has a Skoda Octavia which is a part of VW. I am not concerned about my cars reliability because he heas had this car for 7 years and did not have to do any major repairs. I hope I will be so lucky with my car too. The car is so solid and the handling so tight, you better go and test drive it before you buy something else and then you start regreting. :)

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  Keep Looking - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By rocky - November 29 - 1:53 pm

  Ive now owned 2 passats now and what a joke! I fell in love with my first one (2000 model) and I although I loved it, thought I may had just gotten a "bad" car. After consistent repairs, I decided to try another newer version. I got a 2002 and same thing; if one things not messing up, its another. The car looks good and goes fast, other than that, it offers nothing but a waste of time and money. I am very sad to have to report this!

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  Nice Car, but - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW_in_ny - November 28 - 12:43 am

  Still a nice car after 2 yrs and 40,000 miles. Car brought in for 40,000 mile service, rear break pads were worn and I was shocked to find pads and rotors need to be replaced as same time. Im used to honda & toyota & subaru where the front breaks do the work (and need service) and the rear breaks can be pretty much ignored.

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  We love this car! - 2000 Volkswagen Passat
  By big harry - November 27 - 7:43 pm

  38 - 40 on a long trip. Stick shift is smooth. Lots of leg and headroom. Best car Ive ever owned. Far superior to my 91 Passat.

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  best car - 2001 Volkswagen Passat
  By roy - November 26 - 10:33 am

  WE had a 2002 Acura TL back in 02 and just got this 01 passat in 2010. and it has more options and features then most 2010 luxury vehicles been driving the crap out of it, hard driving, long distance everything not one light has came on (check engine) or anything. its the glx v6 with automatic a/c and have no complaints me and my wife love this car and woudnt trade it for anythimg else, only complaint gas mileage (around city) and cup holders, but eveything else works great even with 145,000 miles you would never guess it had that many it drives like its brand new. anyway all I can say is we love and plan on keeping it tell it dies

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  Love My Passat 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By jeremy - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I love my Passat. I bought this car new and have never had a single problem. After buying a new Malibu, then an Accord and having problems early on I have to say that Im a VW fan for life!

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  Best Wagon Made! - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Patrick - November 24 - 10:00 pm

  Due to the current gasoline prices, I did not want to buy an SUV, but I needed cargo room, so a wagon seemed to be the smart choice. After extensive research, I settled on the Passat TDI. The TDI wagon is now hard to find, and I had to drive 250 miles to purchase one. This is by far the best automobile I have ever owned. The build quality, comfort, and ride are every bit as good as my in-laws BMW 525i. If you want an alternative to the gas-guzzling SUVs this is definitely a vehicle worth exploring. If you owned or knew someone who owned a VW diesel in the 1980s, you owe it to yourself to look at the new diesel technology. An absolutely fantastic vehicle!!!

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  My New 2006 Passat - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By dominik - November 24 - 9:56 pm

  Hi all, I just bought my Passat 3 weeks ago and I love it. What makes me a little bit worried is the fact that I see sometimes a review describing this car as the car with so many problems. I hope mine will not be like that. So far it has been pleasure and fun to drive. I was shopping for my new car for a long time and nothing can beat my Passat. I have the 2.0 T and I am absolutely happy. It is fast and comfy and it has all I need. I wanted something safe and it gives me the feeling of am really safe car, plus I have rear side airbags. The design is cool too, you need to look at the car and then you realize that it is beautifull and very elegant sedan. The interior is perfect too and the car fits...

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  good car so far - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By FF - November 17 - 5:56 pm

  bought the car new initially had a problem with the windshield wiper relay (wipers quit working in hard rain) which was poorly handled by the dealership. Had to threaten with lawsuit to get them to properly diagnose and replace. few other problems so far. The "home link" controller broke out of the sunshade and was fixed under warranty. starter motor gave up at 45000 miles and VW would not pay for replacement (very disappointed as this is a highway vehicle with very few starts per day). handle of glove compartment broke off (did not fix yet). multi-function display is getting very dim. one new CV joint @ 84Kmiles. car has been great otherwise pleasure and fun to drive (see below)

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  First VW ever - 2013 Volkswagen Passat
  By als64 - November 16 - 12:54 am

  My wife and I bought a 2013 Passat a few week ago and we love everything about it. We just switched from a 2004 Camry ( Great Car) but not as much fun to drive. We are long time Toyota fans but we feld this car had alot more to offer. We love this car (so far).