Overview & Reviews

A more fuel-efficient 1.8-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine replaces the 2.5-liter five-cylinder on the 2014 Volkswagen Passat SEL model and will gradually be phased in on other trim levels. VW's Car-Net telematics interface also debuts this year, and most trims, including this year's new Sport trim level, now have a standard rearview camera.

• Refined and quiet ride
• Strong V6
• Fuel-efficient diesel engine
• High-quality cabin with above-average passenger and cargo space
• Top safety scores.

• Below-average acceleration with 2.5 and TDI engines
• Touchscreen electronics interface in SEL models is slow to respond.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 37.00

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  MY 2014 Passat TSI SE Experience - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By aku2 - December 20 - 5:24 am

  I got my 2014 Passat TSI SE in October 2013 and I like the car for its driving performance with excellent fuel efficiency. I get up to 36 highway MPG and for my commuting route I get 33 MPG. I noticed I get the best MPG when my speed is between 45 and 75 MPH. I have 7000 miles on my car and lifetime MPG is 31 MPG. On my commuting route when I drive 2007 or 2010 4 cylinder Camry I only get 27 MPG. I like the music system design that produce clear sound without a need significantly increase audio level while on the noisy highway. I have driven Passat competitor vehicle and noticed high wind noise that makes it hard to listen to music.

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  Exceeds Expectaions - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By dankocke - October 14 - 9:33 pm

  Having gone through literally a dozen or more of newer type cars over the last decade I can safely say that this car lives up to and exceeds expectations. No car is perfect and there are a couple of annoyances such as the traction control (too intrusive), or the slow navigation unit; but car is fantastic. Ive had it 2 months and average right at 40mpg all the time. I just took it on a 1100 mile trip and averaged 42mpg going between 75 and 84 mph. Also, acceleration is great all around. This is only the third car Ive owned that exceeded gas mileage (others were 2013 Mercedes and 2008 Golf GTI). Overall the car is solid with no rattles. Its an excellent family car.

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  My first VW - 2014 Passat 1.8L T - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Jeff D. - July 25 - 4:53 pm

  I have test drove several used or certified VW vehicles in last month (Passat diesel 2.0L, Passat 2.5 L Manual, Passat 2.5L Auto, and Jetta 2.5 L Auto). I was able to test drive the 1.8L Turbo automatic - and I was sold as soon has I hit the gas pedal. It has great acceleration. After my first week of driving I was able to drive +400 miles for city and some highway driving. I filled up with 1/4 tank of gas and it cost me less than $24.00. The electronics (cluster, radio, and Hvac are decent). I picked the VW becuase of the simple styling. I chose the Passat over the Jetta due to additional space. I am very happy with my purchase. I hope to be a VW consumer for a long time. :)

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  4 Time Passat Offender - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Scott - January 26 - 7:32 am

  I have many years and miles of Volkswagen ownership under my belt. I simply like the feel behind the wheel of the Volkswagens; firm ride, tight cornering and firm comfortable seats. My experience with the brand is nearly 100% positive. I do take an interest understanding key maintenance issues as recommended by my independent VW mechanic. Keys to successful ownership include using synthetic oil, Top Tier gas brands and ethanol free fuel if you are really committed. The Passat 1.8 TSI engine coupled with the smooth shifting 6 speed automatic transmission is an impressive combination. The engines ability to hit pick torque at very low RPMs got me over my believe I would never settle for anything less than a V6 engine. The 1.8 TSI engine delivers brisk acceleration and excellent gas mileage. The option to manually shift plus the sport mode give the extra driver engagement I enjoy in the brand. In suburban driving I average around 28 MPG. I have gone as high as 39 MPG on an 800 mile freeway trip with cruise set between 70 and 80 MPH. One observation is that at 45 miles per hour the transmission goes into 6th gear taking the engine down to 1200 RPM. This low engine speed can cause the engine to lug. I generally do not worry about it. An option to avoid the lugging is to run in sport mode if you are spending a good deal of time at 45 MPH. I love the subtle look of the spacious interior. I like the classy exterior but I find it a little boring. I am not the type who craves extra attention. The Wolfsburg addition is the second least equipped version of the Passat but it has the modern essentials including heated faux leather driver and passenger seats (power seat for the driver) and steering wheel controls for the radio. I love Volkswagens trip computer system. Those who desire more electronic engagement in their cars will find the radio system inadequate at least in Wolfsburg addition. Stepping up to the SE level solves some of the short coming with the electronics like a navigation option and backup camera. Had I been able to find a nice deal on an SE, I would have stepped up to the next level. One other note, the Hankook tires that came from the factory are a poor option. I expect when I switch to my preferred brand (Toyo), the ride, handling and cabin noise will be even better.

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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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  Best Christmas suprise ever! - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By stephenleblanc - October 6 - 4:10 pm

  The only reason I didnt score a 5 on the "Fun to drive" score, is because I traded in a 2.0T EOS with DSG for it. My girlfriend FELL IN LOVE with a Passat loaner. I would say Im thrilled with about 99% of the Passat. Heres the short list of things that, to me, could be better: the sun visors FEEL cheap. (In the EOS too) the stereo sound quality is inferior to the one I had in the EOS. (disappointed) If this is all a chronic complainer can find, I say its all good!

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  Outstanding car. Get one before they fix em!! - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Powellss - August 17 - 3:08 am

  Right now (summer 2016) this car is the bargain of the year if not the decade. The bottom has fallen out of the resale market because of Dieselgate. We couldnt resist any longer so we picked up a 1-owner specimen from a dealer in PA. Weve had it for about six weeks and put 2500 miles on it during that time. Highway MPG is phenomenal.... you can achieve high 40s without really trying. Keep the speed under 80-85 and you will see 45-48 average MPG. We drove 1200 miles on two tanks full of gas last week, during a long road trip. Passing power on the highway is great, not spectacular, but again... youre not buying this car to set land speed records. That said, you can easily get to whatever speed you need to achieve, this side of 100. We cant speak to how hard it pulls when youre into triple digits. Were guessing it runs out of steam pretty quick, but then again, this isnt 11th grade. High-speed stability is excellent. The steering is tight and the car doesnt wander. City driving is a pleasure.... acceleration is very quick, as youd expect with 230+ pounds of torque. MPGs in town will range from 20-30 depending on how aggressively you drive and how heavy the traffic is. The dual-clutch DSG tranny knocks out instantaneous shifts and matches the revs for you too. Ive driven manual transmissions my whole life but this is an automatic you will never regret buying. Its always a pleasure driving this thing. The interior is well-designed and roomy. Some people have complained about the materials being less than top-shelf but its really not an issue. Wed prefer a plain-looking interior that will age well, to one that will start to look tacky after a few years. Same story with the exterior styling, which is boring at first blush (it almost looks like an Impala from 10 years ago) but grows on you, and is actually halfway classy... just understated. Youre not gonna impress a future love interest in this thing. (Get an Audi or BMW if you need to show off your spending power.) The front seats are roomy and supportive, the back seat is gigantic, and so is the trunk... except for the hinges which intrude into the cargo area. In terms of interior space, youre basically getting an A6 for less than A4 money. Weve heard all the horror stories about reliability and dealer service. Hasnt been an issue yet and were keeping our fingers crossed. Our other ride is a 17-year-old, 99 Passat V-6 with 220K miles which is still running well, so we know these cars can last a long time. Overall, as you might guess, we couldnt be happier. If VW ever asked us what else this car needs... wed say (1) an AWD option for the 50-60% of Americans who get to deal with snow for 4-5 months a year; (2) a rear-seat DVD / entertainment system; (3) standard HomeLink garage opener on all trim levels; (4) bubble mirrors built into the side view mirrors; (5) a real front bumper..... yeah we know, super retro; (6) bump strips on the doors to protect your sheetmetal from idiots in the 7-11 parking lot; and (7) at least one 12v outlet that stays on when you turn off the ignition. Thats about it. Like we said.... right now this car is definitely the bargain of the year.

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  Car to catch - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Christopher encinas - May 20 - 6:19 pm

  I travel a lot and rent a lot this is the best car i have ever driven and i have driven some of the best makes and model

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  One of the Best Buys for the Money!! - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Kevin Riley - July 23 - 8:56 pm

  The car gets great gas mileage. I get around 37 on the highway. The car is fun to drive and has good acceleration. Ive owned the car almost 3 years now and have never had an issue. I think its the best value out there. The car is big. Big back seat, Big trunk. Great car for taller drivers too!

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  Most Reliable Vehicle - 2014 Volkswagen Passat
  By Athomas - April 28 - 5:16 am

  I have owned my 2014 Passat for almost two years. I took a step down from the CC which I miss very much and the only reason for some 4 stars is comparing to the CC in performance which is to be expected as the CC is a high performance vehicle. I have had no problems with the Passat. It is the utmost reliable vehicle I have ever owned and for that reason, I am holding onto her. I am a high mileage driver and plan to keep her for at least 100K although the VWs are strong vehicles that I know they go way over 100K (I should have kept my CC as I was spoilt with performance but at 100k, I chicken a little bit as a single parent. My highest recommendations go to the Passat on looks, reliability and price.