Volkswagen Passat Review

2008 Volkswagen Passat Lux Sedan Shown

For much of the past decade, the Volkswagen Passat has 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 fills the gap that exists between the normal, hum-drum family cars and the financially out-of-reach luxury brands. Displaying a classy yet restrained style inside and out, the Volkswagen Passat gives the impression of quiet competence, which is borne out by its refined drive. Spirited performance and competent handling, along with a supple ride, are traits typical of even the base model Passat.

Often regarded as a stepping stone for German luxury car fans who can't yet swing one of the country's premium nameplates, the VW Passat has enough in its favor to warrant consideration even from those with deeper pockets. This is certainly true for the current third-generation model and the earlier second-generation Passat. The first-gen car, due to its quirky design and questionable reliability, isn't as well regarded.

Current Volkswagen Passat

The current Volkswagen Passat is available in sedan and wagon body styles. Four trim levels comprise the Passat lineup: Turbo, Komfort, Lux and VR6. The base Turbo comes reasonably well-equipped, while the Komfort and Lux add more luxury-oriented features. These three trim levels are powered by a 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine that sends its power to the front wheels through either a six-speed manual or six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Moving up to the VR6 means getting a 280-hp V6 paired with the automatic, along with added luxuries beyond the Lux trim. Volkswagen's all-wheel-drive system, known as 4Motion, is optional on the Passat VR6.

Our road tests have had mostly good things to say about the latest Volkswagen Passat, from the high quality of its fit and finish to the satisfying performance of both engines. Tuned more for ride comfort than clipping apexes on a twisty road, the Passat's suspension strikes a happy balance between a plush ride and athletic handling dynamics. The few demerits listed against the Passat include seats that look accommodating but don't offer enough lateral support, and the diminished value proposition when comparing the Passat VR6 against entry-level luxury sedans.

Past Volkswagen Passat Models

The current-generation Passat debuted for 2006. Prior to the 2008 model year, it featured a different trim level structure and fewer standard features within each trim. Otherwise, used Passats from this generation are mechanically identical to the current model.

The previous, second-generation VW Passat was available from 1998-2005. It was a little smaller than the current 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 higher levels of quality than most of its competitors. From the way the doors shut to the way the car absorbed bumps without drama and confidently carved its way on a winding road, this Passat was a 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."

Equipped with the VR6, a used Passat makes for a decent sport sedan. But we'd hesitate to recommend one, especially considering the high mileage Passats of this generation are likely to have. Although consumers generally rate this generation highly due to the enjoyable performance, they also cite exorbitant repair costs whenever something breaks.

SELECT A SPECIFIC VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MODEL YEAR*

* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.