Overview & Reviews

The 2010 Volkswagen Passat receives VW's DSG dual-clutch automated manual transmission in lieu of the old conventional automatic. It also gets a new multifunction steering wheel, a new radio, standard Bluetooth connectivity and optional 18-inch wheels.

• Good balance of ride comfort and handling, upscale interior appointments, energetic turbocharged engine with good fuel economy, available wagon body style.

• Elevated road noise, costs as much as V6-powered competitors, no V6 option, missing some common options.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 36.00

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  Car turns heads - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Now a car guy - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car, Ive always had large SUVs. Ive only had the Passat just under four months and Ive put 4,650 miles or so on it in that time. I love driving it. Its quick and handles the road great. The gas mileage is far superior than what I was getting so I cant complain about that at all. Theres more than enough room in the back seat for three adults comfortably. The touch screen navigation is an awesome bonus. When I keep it clean (all to rare), heads turn to check it out. My only wonder/concern is how it will handle in the snow. I live in a fairly snowy New England area so Im crossing my fingers that Ill be pleasantly surprised with only FWD.

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  VW stands for VERY WORST! - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Joel M - August 23 - 5:00 pm

  I bought my 2010 VW Passat (2.0T TSI) used about 9 months ago. I did not buy it from a VW dealership, but did my homework and saw that all maintenance was consistent and up to date. It rode nice and and was okay for comfort and the body and engine looked to be in good shape. Blue Book value at the time was about $8200 and I picked it up for $8000. Within 3 months, I noticed a coolant leak. I took it to a VW mechanic (not the dealership) who told me the auxiliary water pump casing had cracked. There are two water pumps on this vehicle and both are plastic. So I had the water pump replaced at a cost of about $600. About 2 weeks later, I have another coolant leak. this time it is the main water pump. Another $600 out the door. The mechanic told me he has been seeing this problem with all VW TSI engines from the years 2009 - 2011. The problem, as he can figure, is that there is a seal between the pump and the block. The design VW has makes sure a piece of this seal is sticking up. When oil contacts this seal, it swells causing the water pump casing to crack. That was his thoughts, though Im not convinced it isnt just oil hitting the plastic that causes it to embrittle and fail. So now I have replaced both water pumps and think Im good to go. Not so. About two months later, I have another coolant leak and it is, again, the main water pump casing that cracked. This looked to be caused by a little oil that was slopped during an oil change. Thats all it took and Im repairing this car, again. At this point I posted it for sale online because I see it is a dog. The blue book has now dropped to about $6500. No takers for a couple months and then, you guessed it, another coolant leak. I had the car in for the 120,000 mile maintenance a week before and the mechanic inspected the water pumps and everything was good. So I take it back to him and yes, the water pump failed again. This time the source of the oil that caused the leak was a failed PCV valve. During the aforementioned maintenance, this was checked and found to be working fine. It was not part of the maintenance, but my mechanic checks a lot more just to verify common failures are monitored. In this case, the PCV valve, which coincidentally is another cheap plastic part, failed causing the interior pressure of the engine to build, blowing out pretty much every seal on the engine. Oil sprays out, coats the water pump, and the water pump casing splits, again. Now I am looking at basically a $3000+ fix. Needless to say, it is now being offered for sale as a parts car. VW has been contacted throughout this period and, not surprisingly, has not responded. My feeling is that VW talks a good story about customer care and loyalty, but they really dont want to hear about problems, they just want you to pay to fix them, over and over. This feeling isnt just that they ignored my complaints, but go to their website. Try and find a place where you can actually lodge a complaint. It doesnt exist. There is a link for feedback, but it is really geared around feedback for their website, not for their products. You can eventually dig around long enough to get someone that will tell you to email your complaints to vwcustomercare@vw.com. Do yourselves a favor...avoid ALL VW products.

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  High Quality with Performance & Style - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Calif Warren - July 4 - 1:56 pm

  Due to recent Toyota safety issues, I switched to my first VW. From the outset, I was very impressed by the design, performance, and safety ratings of the Passat. The base model has almost everything you need, including a very fine AM/FM/SAT receiver with 6CD changer and above-average speakers. All controls are intuitive and easy to understand, unlike many cars that present a baffling array of buttons. The power is astounding for a 4 cylinder, altho there is a slight hesitation from a stop. It climbs a long 7% grade without any obvious downshifting or effort and easily allows you to merge into freeway traffic from short freeway on-ramps. Handling is superb and the ride is very quiet.

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  First German Car - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By HSB - May 28 - 6:30 pm

  I had always owned/driven Honda and Toyota. This is my very first non- Japanese car. AND I AM IMPRESSED! The 2 weeks that have owned it, it certainly has been a great suprise. I got more for my money over Honda/Toyota.

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  The Pleasant Surprise - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By acw02 - March 29 - 11:43 pm

  After 20 plus years of the popular Japanese makes I decided to try VW again. My 1980s VW experience was less than stellar. What a pleasant surprise. The car rides smooth, handles excellently, and build quality, so far, appears to be as good or better than the above mentioned makes I have owned in the past. The biggest and most pleasant surprise is the blend of performance and economy. With a light foot on the highway I can achieve 37 mpg. In the city I usually get about 25 mpg. Power from the turbo 2.0 four is another surprise, especially the torque. Its is faster than most normally aspirated fours and almost as fast as soon sixes. In summary I think it is a "keeper".

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  2010 Passat Wagon - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By OliversOwner - March 22 - 7:23 pm

  Gave my 2001 Passat Wagon to my son a bought a new 2010 Passat Wagon. A little disappointed that I did not pick up on the manual adjust passenger set but am happy with the rear hatch automatic open/close ... good trade off as I am usually in the car by myself. Got 34 mpg on my first long trip of 200 miles using regular gas (I know they say to use premium).

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  Perfect Fit for Family of Four - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Michael D - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Upgraded from a Jetta 1.8T with a manual. I love the DSG transmission because it really does act as a manual, without having to row a clutch. Of course, my wife doesnt like it because it doesnt have the slushyness of an automatic. All the features I wanted without all the unnecessary excess... I mean really - who needs an auto dimming mirror, can you really not reach that? Very sporty - make sure you get APR to add 50 more horsepower.

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  Amazing Vehicle - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By steveditt - October 1 - 2:33 pm

  Could not be happier, excellent workmanship and plenty of power with great gas mileage. Interior design and comfort were two things we liked viewing the vehicle at a local car show.Our test drive was over 70 miles and we were sold.So many features are included this car is quiet.German build was another consideration not built in Mexico.First trip over 400 miles and averaged 32 mpg plenty of power. Considered VW TDI S/W and Subaru Outback we felt the Passat was nore car for the money and a better ride with more comfort. The wagon has plenty of room . Purchased all my new waxing stuff to keep her nice,white gold ,black interior.

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  Transmission shot with only 65K and VW wont help - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By hunkajunk - April 6 - 12:38 pm

  I have had this car for only 6 months, it only has 65K miles on it, and the transmission is shot. VW wont help me because I didnt buy it through a VW dealer. My car is parked, still have payments, and have to somehow come up with 4300 dollars. Dont have it. Fuming...VW needs to stand behind their product, this car is young, Ive been totally ripped off...do yourself a favor and dont buy from VW.

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  Quality & Saving - 2010 Volkswagen Passat
  By Joe in AR - March 18 - 5:30 am

  Great build and quality with exceptional gas mileage, within first 3,000 miles have 650 miles trip with best result of 30 mpg. Power is exceptional for a 4 cylinder and turbo, interior is very quiet and ride quality little too soft in my own opinion, highway speed the steering response turns to ultra sensitive - "great feel". Quality made with incredible savings on gasoline usage but calls for premium fuel. Have consistently gotten 400 miles from full tank of gas with 50/50 town/highway driving. Wagon is versatile with great looks; adequate amount of room for hauling with family of 4. Turbo lag noticeable but once whines up, power rival a V6 - makes it very fun to drive, cruises GREAT!!