Name: Volkswagen Passat Review
Item: Volkswagen Passat
Author: Gumtree.com

Volkswagen’s Passat has been around since the 1970s and is still going strong, now in its eighth iteration. It’s available as a saloon or estate and, since 2011, the Alltrack, which is a raised estate with improved off-road capabilities. Between 2005 and 2011, a coupe version called the CC was available too. The saloon is a fleet favourite and the estate is popular with families. In its long life, the Passat has come with a range of petrol and diesel engines, and there’s now a plug-in hybrid option as well – all at a cheerful price point too.

Browse available cars on the Volkswagen Passat model page.

What we think about the Volkswagen Passat

If you’re looking for a capable family car or motorway cruiser, the Volkswagen Passat offers quality, comfort and practicality on a level that’s hard to beat.

Pros

Very comfortable

Roomy and practical

Quality interior

Cons

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Not an exciting drive

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Not as cheap as alternatives

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Design is uninspiring

We’re focusing on the latest car, released in 2015 in saloon, estate and Alltrack variants. Current engine choices are a range of petrol and diesel units with a variety of power outputs to suit everyone. There’s also now a plug-in hybrid, the GTE

Driving performance of the Volkswagen Passat

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

First thing’s first, the ride is excellent, particularly with smaller alloys. You can also add adaptive dampers, though the standard suspension is probably enough for most. Volkswagen has focused on comfort here, which makes the Passat a reliably enjoyable motorway cruiser but not so good to whip around country lanes. The diesel engine options muster lots of low-down grunt, but even the 1.5-litre petrol is surprisingly capable unless you’re carrying heavy loads. The GTE hybrid also offers a satisfying amount of power when in full-electric mode.

Safety and reliability of the Volkswagen Passat

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

The Passat received a full five stars when crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2014; the previous model (tested in 2010) also got that five-star rating. The 2005 test returned pretty good results too, so it’s fair to say safety is a strength of this car. In terms of reliability, Volkswagen has a solid reputation here, and you’ll find the sturdy build quality you would expect on the Passat. Major mechanical parts are used across the Volkswagen Group, making them very much tried and tested.

Under the bonnet of the Volkswagen Passat

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

Fans of petrol will be happy as Larry with the base 1.5 TSI. Its 148 bhp covers the 0-60 mph dash in 8.7 seconds and has plenty of oomph across the rev range. Of the diesel units, the entry 1.6 TDI 120 is more than adequate, but we think the 2.0 TDI 150 balances power (0-60 mph in 8.9 seconds) and economy (60 mpg) perfectly. That’s unless you need extra grunt for towing. If you do, the 2.0 BiTDI 240 does the job, with 237 bhp and a whopping 500 Nm of torque.

What you'll find in the Volkswagen Passat

Our Design Rating7 / 10

Let’s talk about the badge. A VW on your grille offers a premium edge to rivals from Ford or Vauxhall, but it maybe doesn’t quite manage the prestige of BMW or Audi. That said, the price is pitched accordingly. The other thing to note about a Passat is that the styling has always been a little uninspiring, but an effort has been made in the latest update to improve that. This model has a few stylish, modern touches such as a sleek grille and a headlight combination that comes with LED lights as standard.

Comfort and interiors in the Volkswagen Passat

Our Comfort Rating9 / 10

In the cabin, there’s plenty of head space and legroom in the front and rear, even for adults. Taller passengers are easily accommodated in the front seats without impacting on room for those in the back. Accessing the rear seats is easy too, with wide-opening doors that will make life simpler for parents. The saloon’s boot is sizeable, and the estate offers an almost class-leading 650 litres (1780 litres with the seats down). The high-tech interior of the Passat combines modesty with style and feels of very high quality.

What features you'll find in the Volkswagen Passat

Our Features Rating9 / 10

The big news is Passats now come with a touchscreen infotainment system featuring Bluetooth plus wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto. And there are plenty of other gadget options on offer too, such as automatic parking and Traffic Jam Assist that can accelerate, brake and steer for you in low-speed jams. Safety features include lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which applies the brakes automatically to prevent accidents. Adaptive cruise control can maintain a distance behind the car in front and slow for speed limits or built-up areas thanks to cameras and satnav information.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Volkswagen Passat

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

If you’re going for petrol, it’s the 1.5-litre that returns the best figures at 39.2 – 45.6 mpg. The base 1.6-litre diesel improves things with a claimed 44.8 – 48.7 mpg but, surprisingly, it’s actually the more powerful 2.0-litre TDI 150 that returns the best fuel efficiency at 51.4 – 57.6 mpg. Bear in mind though that the purchase price of cars with this engine will be higher. If you plump for the plug-in hybrid GTE, you’ll get a suggested 176.6 – 235.4 mpg and a range of 33 miles on full-electric power.

Running costs of the Volkswagen Passat

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

With good fuel economy and fairly low emissions across the range, running costs should be low, and the hybrid GTE will offer the best tax benefits. Volkswagen reliability is also likely to mean fewer big maintenance spends, and servicing fees shouldn’t be unreasonable either – especially with lots of independent VW-specialist garages around. The Passat falls into insurance groups around 20, with the 1.6 diesel offering the lowest insurance between groups 12 and 15, dependent on trim.

Our verdict of the Volkswagen Passat

4.5 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Volkswagen Passat is a versatile and practical alternative to the other premium German brands, offering quality and prestige at a lower price.

Volkswagen Passat Review