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, Great Fuel Economy - 2005 Volkswagen Passat
  By Sail - November 4 - 3:50 pm

  The new TDI diesel engines are extremely powerful, very reliable and quiet! This is a fantastic mid-size car that is solidly built. It handles like a sports car and has the comfort of a luxury sedan. I have no idea why anyone concerned with fuel economy would bother with hybrids (what do you do with the old batteries?). Gas cars with this kind of fuel economy are small, lightweight and underpowered. This car is solid. I feel very safe in it should I have an accident.

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  Passat GLS 1.8T Manual - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Travieso - November 4 - 10:00 am

  the car is very elegantly desinged especially with the leather interior. the interrior is very roomy and comfortable. the car has many good features such as the sunroof and esp, it is a very classy car and for under 24,000 it is a steal

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  A week old - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jody - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Have the V6 only a week but I love it Smooth engine, great features, nice styling. cant tell you about reliability yet.

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  2009 wagon - 2009 Volkswagen Passat
  By guido - November 3 - 9:06 am

  Bought this car on the basis of owning a 2006 jetta, was not disappointed.The fuel mileage meets or exceeds the epa sticker,2l. 4 cyl drives like a larger engine.

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  va-vA-VA-VOOOM!!! - 2006 Volkswagen Passat
  By Rockit - November 2 - 5:56 pm

  I love my 2006 Volkswagen Passat 2.0T even more than I loved my BMW 5. Maybe its because I like surprises. What hooked me was the engineering of the little 4-cylinder engine. It is so 21st century. Turbo lag licked at last! That much power in such a little package never ceases to amaze me. This car is rock solid. My only complaints: the cheap feel of the hard plastic interior and a chronic high ptitched whistle from the area of the front passenger door at high speeds.

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  Best Looking Wagon on the Road - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By FoHGoR - November 1 - 10:00 am

  We love our Wagon. Its a great value with a ton of safety and standard features for less than $25K. The 1.8t has plenty of pull through most the gears-especially while using the tiptronic feature (Then you can add a chip for even more power). Theres plenty of room for a couple who are just starting a family. The perfect car for those of us who dont want a minivan nor an SUV.

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  As good as a BMW - but half the price - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Max - October 31 - 12:42 pm

  I am used to driving BMWs and Jaguars for the last 25 years. I bought this car after having a Jetta for a year and I loved it but wanted a bigger, heavier car with more bells and whistles so I traded it for this PASSAT. I LOVE THIS CAR! I am tall and long legged and Its extremely comfortable, has all I could ask for except leather and a sunroof, but with rear camera, bluetooth, MP3 and iPod, heated seats and it performs beautifully and extremely reliably EVERY DAY and gets great gas mileage and needs NOTHING and the warranty and included service at the dealerships are great. This car just works flawlessly and is a great performer on the road. Its never needed to go into the dealership for anything except scheduled maintenance and I have several dealerships to go to and they are all EXCELLENT AND TAKE FANTASTIC CARE OF YOU. Update: My car was subject to the Takara airbag recall. 11 deaths and hundreds of severe injuries as metal schrapnel could explode into your neck or face. VW said 6 - 9 months wait for replacements. I was NOT going to allow myself to be the next death or injury. VW would not take my car in on trade on a brand new. Tried emailing the VW CEO in Europe for a solution - none offered. I traded it in at the local BMW dealership for a preowned 328i and very happy. VW is a great car but I was not going to drive a death trap and they offered no help.

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  Used car test: 2002 VW Passat GLS Wagon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By carb5 - October 29 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a CPO 2002 Passat GLS 1. 8T Wagon in April of 2004 for a cross-Canada trip heading west from Ottawa to Vancouver Island then North through Dawson Creek B.C. (mile 0 of the Alaska Highway) and further north to Great Slave Lake (above the 60th Parallel) and back. The trip totalled 17000km and took 205 hours according to the trip computer. The Passat swallowed all of our gear and never complained through a daily average of 6 hours on the road at speeds anywhere from 30 to 75 mph. We averaged 36mpg over the full distance in 32 days. Nothing went wrong. A flawless trip in a car that left me extremely impressed. Id buy a new one in a heartbeat.

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  Ahhhh! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
  By Bakwalker - October 29 - 10:00 am

  This will be a very short happy review: After 6 months driving this vehicle I am still in love. Simple, elegant, fun to drive, solid as a rock, comfortable. I am looking forward to an ongoing affair with this car.

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  Ignition Coil Issues. Again! - 2007 Volkswagen Passat
  By Pittsburgh, PA - October 26 - 10:10 pm

  The car only has 31,500 miles and has been in the shop 3 times - twice for major electrical issues and once for a recall on, you guessed it, electrical issues. The dealership describes as "ignition coil problems." I describe it as the car suddenly loses power and begins to shake making it a very dangerous driving situation. We are totally fed up with this problem and feel as though we are getting the run around from the dealer.