I must be middle age "old" because I like the clean, simple and very efficient interior of the Passat vs the over complex cluster &$#@ of so many other car options these days. On that note, the diesel version of this Passat still Rules!!
Well so I'm 19 which i'm pretty sure doesn't count as old and I tend to agree. I've always liked VW interiours for their simplicity. Although I do like the new european Passat more - and its new BiTDI engine is great. It's actually pretty far up on my list of (somewhat) attainable dream cars.
Your comment about wanting to be able to hear the engine while driving is duly noted and appreciated. Although there are those who want complete insulation from the road while driving, I think being in touch with one's surroundings while driving is important and makes for a safer driving experience. Thank you for your report.
great review. I'm a pretty discerning car guy- having also owned Range Rovers, Audis, and other VW's. But i have to say, i LOVE the Passat. I have the TDI SEL- black and black interior- and it feels amazing to drive, i love the seats (suede) i love the fender audio, and i love the 650 miles per tank. I think this car will age well stylistically, i've had mine 1.5 years and it still looks fresh and awesome. I have driven the 1.8t gas and it's a sweet ride.
I have the 2015 Passat limited 1.8 tsi gen 3. Have and APR stage 1 87 octane tune. I can tell you that 1.8 is a monster with a tune and a K&N filter. It's a platform that can be made into a sleeper easily.
Have the 5 speed manual. Can confirm, definitely fun.
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@4:27 "It reminds me of a Buick built in 1998" LOL... I bought a 2014 Passat TSI SEL to replace my aging 1998 Buick Regal because, consequently, it reminded me of my Buick quite a lot (the good features though: spacious interior, roomy back seats, huge trunk, torque-heavy motor) As much as I enjoy the Passat, I'd agree that it has a few short comings and features/items to be desired... but then again, I picked it up used and sure didn't pay anything close to $33k for it.
VW dumb downs their product line in North America market so they can compete price wise against the big Japanese and domestic players who tend to offer more feature for less money, and differentiate the brand from their own Audi lineup
true. but it's also a $40K-$50K car in Europe. If they priced it at that level in the US people would freak out and the comments would be "what are they thinking??"
Why didn't you go with the 1.8T Sport trim level? It looks better (ground effects pkg, 19 in. wheels, blacked out roof panel) and you can get it with a manual. It even comes in at a lower price than the SEL, although you do give up a few creature comforts.
I have a 2015 Passat TDI - VERY fuel efficient, very peppy, even for a diesel. The only major gripe I have, mine is the SEL Premium, and the radio, a RNS 510 constantly locks up like a Windows PC. When the Passat TDI is cruising down the highway it's very smooth, like it's on rails as they say. If you are thinking about one, get it, you won't be disappointed.
I have a 2015 Passat Wolfsburg Edition. It has brushed aluminum instead of the fake wood. Makes it look much better. I wouldn't call the SEL interior dated though.
i have the limited and the interior is actually kinda different. the knobs have a bit of rubber which makes em feel better and doesn’t have the wood trim
I drove a 2013 Passat with a 2.5L inline 5cyl. That engine sounded great! Too bad VW dropped it in this car. That car cornered great too, a thrill to drive and very comfortable! I'm interested about how the 1.8L is.
The 5 cycl is a dog. I loved the sound but that was it. My 1.8t gets 24-25mpg city and 36-38mpg highway. The 1.8t 4 banger gets up goes. I have yet to find myself saying I wish the car had more power. This little engine surely can pick this big car up and fling it down the road or up a hill. Or around a corner. It has just enough power without being overly dangerous. My only downside was it took a while to master smooth acceleration and deceleration. It's super peppy wher you let off and the car almost jerks too hard at times. But that's the only performance complaint. I wish the cabin ride noise was quieter. Vws infotainment needs an update and if it were more reliable I'd be fine with that but that's where this car is weak. Good thing alpine makes an amzing unit that is plug and play with all stock options and this makes it 100px better. For $1200 it's worth the upgrade especially if your cars system is acting up as many of then do.
Got a 2015 Passat TDI SE with a 6-Speed manual. The charm lasted until 2021. When I had to replace the clutch and the water pump a second time (I guess there's a class action suit) I was over it. Love the MPGs and interior space/trunk but mechanically not a fan. Disagree about the interior, it feels up to date even in 2022. No infotainment, but the touchscreen and bluetooth isn't as laggy as other 2010s options
I like all the Passats. Its a very good car with solid feeling and very godd Diesel engines. Every day its a nice feeling to start my Passat (European Model). When the new model comes to the NA market it will be spectacular.
I have the b6 passat (prior body style) Have driven the 2014 passat (which had the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder. I'm happy they brought the 1.8 back, I love my GTI that has that plant. But, I'm upset that the sporty passat seems to have gone away. My 2006 has a 2.0t 200 hp engine with a 6 speed manual. It's crazy fun, my obly complaint is thay it's nose heavy.
I rented a 2015 Passat on my holidays in California and Arizona. I agree ..fantastic power. I was never in want of more. Off the line get up and go ..WILL surprise you. It was amazingly planted and solid on the freeway. Cruised effortlessly. My back didn't like the front seats! I'm 6'1 and did try just sitting in the back, very roomy. Getting out of it l found it ...felt very low climbing out. Is it lower than other cars in it's class? Great mileage. I find the car handsome and doesn't need to beat it's chest. The interior is due for an update but seemed well put together. My car had the basic stereo and it sounded good ...so the Fender system must be wonderful.
I got a used 2015. the door sills are very high compared to other cars of this size. that will make it feel lower. I'm always scraping my size 12 boots on it.
My 2014 Passat SE w/roof 1.8 EA888 GEN 3 w/tiptronic trans bought new, currents 147,813 miles. ZERO SQUEAKS or RATTLES. Great fuel economy 41 mpg on cruise control set 62 mph from NJ shore to Easton PA. NO one can convince me that this car is ANYTHING but a fine piece of well built and designed machinery. I've owned 7 VW''s including a 2011 GTI with DSG trans, Honda Pilot Ford Windstat, Ford Explorers, Toyota Celicas. SAAB 900s and NOTHING has come close in quality and reliability. I'm only speaking from personal experience, not uninformed bias.
So, is VW maintenance still a nightmare? I knew a guy who had one years ago and the car was designed to where not even the headlight bulbs could be changed out by the owner. Had to go to the dealership.
God vw has got there crap together. Im a big mopar/gm guy but i seriously cant help but like the gti the passat and the rest of the line up the cars just have cut and clean body lines the styling is flush
I would venture to say that the styling is nonexistent. Nice cars for what they are but too cheap and generic looking. I actually think that 32k is too high of a price for this basic sedan. I would drive a GTI in a heartbeat though.
VW group can't make the VW line better than the Audi line right? I have a 2014 Passat SEL 1.8T and I've had a 2012 CC, they're good cars. But I'd love to see another review on the Cadillac ATS 2.0T with AWD please.
So many issues I don’t know where to start. First, I realize your opinions are just that but, to say that the dash is from a 1998 Olds is a bit disingenuous. You then knock the plastics, have you been in a Camry or a Accord lately? Way too many cheap plastic bits. Plus the Passat driving experience is so superior to any other mid-sized sedan especially ones made in Detroit or in Japan. I get to drive dozens of cars a year and drive about 50,000 miles annually. The other players in this market do not even compare. Anyway, I own a 2014 TDI SEL Premium and would never even consider owning one of the cars you mentioned compete with the Passat. Cheers and keep the reviews coming.
Never really been a huge fan of the passat to be honest. Both interior and exterior styling have never been its strong points which have always deterred me from considering one to purchase. Nathan pretty much hit the nail on the head with the suggestion of the CC instead. For a couple of grand more you get a much more rounded car and more bang for your buck personally.
The new European Passat version has boring Vw design but compared to this US version, the Euro-version looks awesome and futuristic Lol. VW has a weird strategy, first they announce how they are going to use the same platform for every car and they still continue building different versions for the US market.
Small wonder the car looks a bit dated, especially inside. It's the still Passat B7 model that came out in 2010 and that basically is just a facelift + engine update of the Passat B6 that came out in 2005. So if you buy the 2015 Passat in the US you basically buy a car that is almost 10 years old... The completely new Passat B8 came out here in Germany last year, deliveries started in November 2014. It looks more elegant and modern and the interior (to my eyes) is fantastic, plus it also has the new and much improved generation of infotainment systems. I have no idea when it will come to the US and wether it will actually be the same car or not... The european version of the Passat B8 is basically designed and made to be a (slightly less pricy) alternative to BMW, Mercedes, Lexus more than as a competitor to Opel, Ford or Toyota and I'm not sure wether they will do that in NA as well, or wether they will make a cheaper version with reduced build quality for NA, like they are doing with the Jetta and Passat now... If i was the boss of VW group I'd probably give you US guys the same quality of VW cars that we get over here and instead use the Seat and/or Skoda brands for the more budget-oriented buyer. So basically the same strategy they use in Europe... But i guess it would need a lot of investment to do so and VW has focused quite a lot on China, Latin America and Russia in recent years. Maybe it would be time to up their game in North America.
Actually the North American version is a completely different car than the B6 or B7. It is wider, longer and has more interior space than the euro Passat. It is made for the North American and some Asian markets. They did this since the Passat completes against the Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in the NA markets which are considerably larger cars than the Euro Passat which is only slightly larger than a Jetta. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Passat_NMS Also if they upmarket the VW cars in North America than they would take sales away from their Audi lineup. The VW cars were designed to be people's cars, while the Audi line directly competes against the other premium euro brands. The problem they have in the NA is for a long time they marketed their cars as a premium option over the domestic and Japanese competition but they were only slightly less expensive than the Audi so people that wanted a premium car would buy the Audi. The VW was then priced too high to compete against the lower cost competition. They lost a lot market share because of this dumb strategy. Now they are cutting costs on all their NA cars so they can compete in the market.
Well they do that in Europe... VW as a brand is almost as expensive as the premium brands, while offering more or less the same build quality and refinement and it works out great for them. The "cheaper options" within VW group are wearing a Skoda or Seat badge. And I am pretty sure there is a lot of cannibalization going on, but in the end it does not matter that much. If you have 3 cars from 3 of your groups brands competing in one segment you will more likely attract customers away from your competitors... Basically VW group now uses Skoda for what VW once used to be... Down to earth, solid cars with good value for money. Seat is the option for younger more sporty and stylish folks and young families, VW is now for the mature customer that desires a high level of build quality and refinement without looking like a "badge snob". Basically the thinking mans car, also considering the good resale value etc. And then Audi for the customer who wants the highest standards and is willing to pay a premium for it. At least that's how their marketing wants it to be percieved. Especially Skoda is growing very quickly and is easily the most succesfull "foreign" brand in Germany. Just look at the overall dominance of the VW group in the german market. Clearly their strategy works. (newly registered cars in 2014 in Germany) de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/167008/umfrage/neuzulassungen-von-pkw-nach-marken-in-deutschland/ (and in Europe) www.statista.com/statistics/263421/market-share-of-selected-car-maunfacturers-in-europe/ I guess changing the image of the VW brand in NA and placing it as the humble mans luxury car, while introducing Skoda / Seat for the value-for-money custormers, would take a long time and a lot of marketing expenses. But I think it could make sense. For example the role the american Passat (New midsize sedan) plays today could be filled perfectly by the Skoda Superb.
You have to understand that the North American market is vastly different the Europe. VW for a long time wanted to be know as the low cost luxury brand in the US. This did not work for them and hurt their sales.They currently sell less cars than Subaru. The reason is VW does not know the US market and for a long time did things as if they are in Europe. VW is now trying to go mainstream by selling on price and options. This means they have to cut cost on materials.This may cheapen the product but if they want to sell 800,000 from the current 400,000 cars then that is what they need to do. That would place them around Nissan sales territory but still far less than Honda, or Toyota. If they want to keep marketing themselves as a semi-luxury brand then they will have to be happy with staying as a small niche manufacture like Acura, Infiniti or Volvo. Introducing unknown brands will not help. While I think it would be great to have SEAT and Skoda available in the NA there is a reason they and many other brands are not sold here. It costs too much to bring cars into this market. The US government has some of the most stringent regulations regarding importing cars. That is why most mainstream foreign brands end up build their cars here to cut cost. Then they would have to create a dealership network. That would cost billions of dollars and the whole venture may fail in the long run just like the French and Italian brands. It would be better if they spent the money on building up their NA VW offerings with more competitive CUVs and offering a small truck. Even a small euro van would be great. They already make these products for other markets but they refuse to sell them here.
Some good points being made. The US Passat is a different car than what is offered elsewhere. It is 90% of a good entry into the segment. VW has two main problems in the US: They seem to worry too much about keeping a major distinction between VW and Audi (this is the same fatal error Daimler made when it owned Chrysler. They didn't want it compared to Mercedes Benz and they couldn't improve the Mercedes interiors so they cheapened the Chrysler interiors absurdly. Fiat was able to increase sales dramatically in many cases by simply replacing the interior with something less austere.) VW also suffers from being run by committee from Germany. It is difficult to get a bunch of stubborn Germans to listen to what their US operations are telling them they need. (I know this first hand having worked many years for German companies operating in the US). The net effect of that is that cars show up with unacceptable interiors, missing features that the public expects (the Hyundai Elantra I had came with a standard USB port as basic equipment. You cannot even get a standard USB port on the top of the line VWs), and insufficient product lineup. 10 years ago it was very apparent to all involved that crossovers were going to play a large part in the US market. They have rapidly overtaken sedans as the vehicle of choice. By not having competitive crossovers in its lineup VW has surrendered participation in fully half the US market. They should have had a Passat based crossover in close step behind the opening of the factory, but it will not launch until 2016. The same holds true for the Jetta based crossover. That vehicle should have been on the market several years ago, but VW dithers.
It's a bit of a downgrade in materials and features and architecture in the states but it allows the passat to be pretty cheap and that allows me as a college student to afford one to commute in.
I was a VW 2008 Passat Owner and then this piece of shit came out. I wanted to buy a new Passat but after a test drive all I got was a Camry or Altima with a VW badge on it. I want the Euro Passat, the one we used to get, not this poor example. VW of America can suck it.
I know this is an unpopular opinion but I don't see why people buy these. journalist seem to like them for all the faults. Like they are afraid to say something bad about them. Not stylish but not ugly? dated wheels look premium? Quiet but you can hear the engine that doesn't make an attractive sound which is somehow good? The interior is not bad but dated like an old Buick? Has torque and trunk space going for it.
Drive one. I drove my buddies the other day. Drives better than any midsize/large car I have driven. Solid feeling car. Handles awesome and plenty of power.
That interior does look terrible compared to even their own interior on the cheaper Golf. That 2015 Golf R you reviewed recently looks great inside. I hope this thing is due for an update soon. It is nice to see another car that isn't priced completely by size though. I mean the Jetta is a little smaller and cheaper, but it's not a huge difference (about $4k). It seems like that's why they feel like they can put in a terrible interior though. I still just don't believe that it costs companies that much more to make a larger car.
I had no idea that car interiors could be "dated." There are only 3 things that date a car's interior now that I think about it: 1. Stereo. There was a time when cars had no sound system! Shocking, I know. So I guess you could date a car to an era either before car stereos and after car stereos. 2. Cassette/CD player. After cars got sound systems they started to come with Cassette and then CD players. I guess this is the next era. 3. Replacing *EVERYTHING* with digital bullshit. This is the last "era" of interior designs and it's the one we're currently on where car makers are obsessed with replacing absolutely everything with digital LED's from gauges, to lights, to the damned stereo itself. I wonder if next they will integrate the ignition button into the display screen so that it's not an actual button anymore but just another digital interface app. Cars today have too much useless and stupid shit that serve absolutely no purpose other than to distract you (as if cell phones aren't going a good job at it) and jack up the price.
The recommended 10,000 mi oil change is stretching it a bit. More "real world" would be 5,000 but no more than 6,000. Owner's Manual says to expect 1qt oil loss every 1,250 mi. I get virtually no oil loss. The reviewer is claiming that the Passat is dated. Is it dated? That depends on your viewpoint. The reviewer of this video is wearing a jacket having a zipper - the zipper was first used on jackets in 1928 - so I guess the reviewer is wearing a dated design jacket. Just because you own something that was designed some 100 years ago - like a pencil - doesn't make the product bad.
you say family car? I need to switch my bmw 320i,Im young and my dad wants to change it for a passat v6 or an A4, any other ideas? this is far from a pussy magnet, damn
Nico Trice Definitely true but those are performance cars so there suspension is going to reflect that so you tend to feel the road a lot more. So basically if you were the type of person who was looking at a Passat, Evo's wouldn't even be on your mind. Its all a mute point though because I would just save up to buy a Tesla. Me Gusta....
As an European i don't like this car, or VW cars at all. They are so boring and ugly. Why would i get THIS instead of a Honda Accord 2015? Top of the line Accord is $33,000 and it looks way better both on the inside and outside, and has way more features. And its just as reliable as VW, and it's cheaper to maintain.
jaymum23 We dont use CVTs in Europe and plastic quality feeling is relative. The message is that you get more bang for your buck with a Honda and my friens has a 2009 Honda Civic and his service book is literally only oil and air fliter changes
I really hate long comments so i'm just gonna say that plastic is not what i pay attention to when buying a car. My perfect car is good looking (Honda), has a screen heavy interior (Honda) is reliable (Honda) and is cheaper to repair than VW (Serbia, not sure about US) What i especially hate about VWs is their inflated EU price. I'm NEVER gonna pay $10,000 for a USED VW Polo (Mk5) that has literally no equipment, not even a radio or a multifunctional wheel, not to mention automatic AC or something more luxurious. That's a robbery, no matter how "reliable" or "german" it is.
jaymum23 At least your country doesn't rip you off on car registrations and gas prices. We pay 1.20$ per liter of petrol, you pay about 50 cents per liter, and registration price is determined by Discplacement: XXX - 1600cm3 = about 220$ 1600 - 2000cm3 = about 290$ 2000 - 3000cm3 = about 700$ 3000cm3+++++ = from 700$ to 1500$ And on top of that, your purchasing power is WAY bigger than hours. I just happen to have a well paying job. No wonder 80% of cars in my country use 2L and smaller engines.......it sucks. I want a 5L V10 BMW! Fuck you government!
jaymum23 We're in the same boat. Mediocre infrastructure minus air pollution + speed cameras. And our cops won't put a bullet through your head for no reason. Lol
Lets face it guys this car is dead boring for me anyway ( not like Nathan) like a lot of German cars, I suspect sometimes they create their own reputation, because here in Europe thay DO have problems and the dealers are mean with warranty claims!
A VW can never compete with a Toyota quality wise. The TSI engine's are very unreliable. The camchains tend to wear with fatal consequenses for the engine. The 1.8 and 2.0 TSI can use a lot of oil....and VW isn't helping costumers after the short 2 year warranty. The TSI are only frugal when driven like a granny......when driven normal the use a lot more, and they use extremely more when pushed harder. To keep the engine cool when pushed they had to spray in extra fuel to cool it down. The TSI engine's are far from perfect if you ask me. They should have testen them a lot more before putting people up with this problematic thing
You do know that real quality isn't in the finish of a car. In general A VW will break down more often than a Toyota, Honda or Subaru. The petrol engines arent realaiable and problemen after the warrenty periode arent solved properly. i believe a VW is far overrated. The want to impress with tight finish but are rubish underneath
According to Consumer Reports, the VW Passat with the 1.8 is actually the most reliable in its highly competitive class.
My dad bought one of these when I acquired my Civic. THAT PASSAT IS CRAZY FAST!!!!
I must be middle age "old" because I like the clean, simple and very efficient interior of the Passat vs the over complex cluster &$#@ of so many other car options these days. On that note, the diesel version of this Passat still Rules!!
Well so I'm 19 which i'm pretty sure doesn't count as old and I tend to agree. I've always liked VW interiours for their simplicity. Although I do like the new european Passat more - and its new BiTDI engine is great. It's actually pretty far up on my list of (somewhat) attainable dream cars.
i am a vw Passat owner and i love this car , great fuel economy!
Your comment about wanting to be able to hear the engine while driving is duly noted and appreciated. Although there are those who want complete insulation from the road while driving, I think being in touch with one's surroundings while driving is important and makes for a safer driving experience. Thank you for your report.
great review. I'm a pretty discerning car guy- having also owned Range Rovers, Audis, and other VW's. But i have to say, i LOVE the Passat. I have the TDI SEL- black and black interior- and it feels amazing to drive, i love the seats (suede) i love the fender audio, and i love the 650 miles per tank. I think this car will age well stylistically, i've had mine 1.5 years and it still looks fresh and awesome. I have driven the 1.8t gas and it's a sweet ride.
I have the 2015 Passat limited 1.8 tsi gen 3. Have and APR stage 1 87 octane tune. I can tell you that 1.8 is a monster with a tune and a K&N filter. It's a platform that can be made into a sleeper easily.
Need to test drive it again in Summer! This is an excellent car: power, handling, ride and quieter
I have a friend in NZ that just bought a CC and he loves it. And, might I add, it's a very sexy car
good as always nathan.
;)
Let nathan do more review he's the man. And you can get a 2012 passat for half the proce of a new one
Have the 5 speed manual. Can confirm, definitely fun.
@4:27 "It reminds me of a Buick built in 1998"
LOL... I bought a 2014 Passat TSI SEL to replace my aging 1998 Buick Regal because, consequently, it reminded me of my Buick quite a lot (the good features though: spacious interior, roomy back seats, huge trunk, torque-heavy motor)
As much as I enjoy the Passat, I'd agree that it has a few short comings and features/items to be desired... but then again, I picked it up used and sure didn't pay anything close to $33k for it.
J O
I always compare my Passat to a German Buick.
I really liked this review, Nathan. Average Joe done smart.
I actually just got a limited edition and it feels so much smoother and peppier then my 2016 SE
Can you please try and do a review of the 2015 Malibu LTZ? I'd like to see 0-60 and a track test if it's a turbo model!
The euro version Passat uses much higher quality materials, don't know why it's not the same Passat in America
VW dumb downs their product line in North America market so they can compete price wise against the big Japanese and domestic players who tend to offer more feature for less money, and differentiate the brand from their own Audi lineup
Charles Schutz they don't have much choices. Our Passat only comes only with 1 trim with all the bells and whistles but it costs almost twice
true. but it's also a $40K-$50K car in Europe. If they priced it at that level in the US people would freak out and the comments would be "what are they thinking??"
Why didn't you go with the 1.8T Sport trim level? It looks better (ground effects pkg, 19 in. wheels, blacked out roof panel) and you can get it with a manual. It even comes in at a lower price than the SEL, although you do give up a few creature comforts.
I have a 2015 Passat TDI - VERY fuel efficient, very peppy, even for a diesel. The only major gripe I have, mine is the SEL Premium, and the radio, a RNS 510 constantly locks up like a Windows PC. When the Passat TDI is cruising down the highway it's very smooth, like it's on rails as they say. If you are thinking about one, get it, you won't be disappointed.
Why are passats on US market one model behind European? That's not the newest passat.
It is not the same car as the European model. This one is specifically designed for the North American market.
VW will significantly redo the Passat for the US in 2016
Charles Schutz vw doesn't make most of their "nice vehicles" for north America for example vw scirocco
Why are the European Passats's better looking than the North American version :(
I have a 2015 Passat Wolfsburg Edition. It has brushed aluminum instead of the fake wood. Makes it look much better. I wouldn't call the SEL interior dated though.
i have the limited and the interior is actually kinda different. the knobs have a bit of rubber which makes em feel better and doesn’t have the wood trim
How to tow the car..as my passat 2.5 l 2015 has no towing place😢
I drove a 2013 Passat with a 2.5L inline 5cyl. That engine sounded great! Too bad VW dropped it in this car. That car cornered great too, a thrill to drive and very comfortable! I'm interested about how the 1.8L is.
The 5 cycl is a dog. I loved the sound but that was it. My 1.8t gets 24-25mpg city and 36-38mpg highway. The 1.8t 4 banger gets up goes. I have yet to find myself saying I wish the car had more power. This little engine surely can pick this big car up and fling it down the road or up a hill. Or around a corner. It has just enough power without being overly dangerous. My only downside was it took a while to master smooth acceleration and deceleration. It's super peppy wher you let off and the car almost jerks too hard at times. But that's the only performance complaint. I wish the cabin ride noise was quieter. Vws infotainment needs an update and if it were more reliable I'd be fine with that but that's where this car is weak. Good thing alpine makes an amzing unit that is plug and play with all stock options and this makes it 100px better. For $1200 it's worth the upgrade especially if your cars system is acting up as many of then do.
Got a 2015 Passat TDI SE with a 6-Speed manual. The charm lasted until 2021. When I had to replace the clutch and the water pump a second time (I guess there's a class action suit) I was over it. Love the MPGs and interior space/trunk but mechanically not a fan. Disagree about the interior, it feels up to date even in 2022. No infotainment, but the touchscreen and bluetooth isn't as laggy as other 2010s options
I like all the Passats. Its a very good car with solid feeling and very godd Diesel engines. Every day its a nice feeling to start my Passat (European Model). When the new model comes to the NA market it will be spectacular.
I think the only complaint that he should be making is that he didn't have the 6-speed manual.
I have the b6 passat (prior body style)
Have driven the 2014 passat (which had the 2.5 litre 5 cylinder. I'm happy they brought the 1.8 back, I love my GTI that has that plant.
But, I'm upset that the sporty passat seems to have gone away.
My 2006 has a 2.0t 200 hp engine with a 6 speed manual. It's crazy fun, my obly complaint is thay it's nose heavy.
you never mentioned the interior quality and materials
I rented a 2015 Passat on my holidays in California and Arizona. I agree ..fantastic power. I was never in want of more. Off the line get up and go ..WILL surprise you. It was amazingly planted and solid on the freeway. Cruised effortlessly. My back didn't like the front seats! I'm 6'1 and did try just sitting in the back, very roomy. Getting out of it l found it ...felt very low climbing out. Is it lower than other cars in it's class? Great mileage. I find the car handsome and doesn't need to beat it's chest. The interior is due for an update but seemed well put together. My car had the basic stereo and it sounded good ...so the Fender system must be wonderful.
I got a used 2015. the door sills are very high compared to other cars of this size. that will make it feel lower. I'm always scraping my size 12 boots on it.
Funny thing, I did rent this before but with the old 2.5 liter
That car is absolutely worth you dollar. It is very comfortable. Runs good on highways
Wish I would’ve got this car instead of my 2015 Nissan Altima
I would like to see an offroad g550 review
My 2014 Passat SE w/roof 1.8 EA888 GEN 3 w/tiptronic trans bought new, currents 147,813 miles. ZERO SQUEAKS or RATTLES. Great fuel economy 41 mpg on cruise control set 62 mph from NJ shore to Easton PA. NO one can convince me that this car is ANYTHING but a fine piece of well built and designed machinery. I've owned 7 VW''s including a 2011 GTI with DSG trans, Honda Pilot Ford Windstat, Ford Explorers, Toyota Celicas. SAAB 900s and NOTHING has come close in quality and reliability.
I'm only speaking from personal experience, not uninformed bias.
I prefer my '98 Passat's dash. Now off to research Aquabats.
So, is VW maintenance still a nightmare? I knew a guy who had one years ago and the car was designed to where not even the headlight bulbs could be changed out by the owner. Had to go to the dealership.
I thought the VR6 Passat executive was top of the line?
I had the same opinion of this car. I test drove the diesel, and the interior is HUGE. That said there is a lot of hard cheap feeling plastic.
God vw has got there crap together. Im a big mopar/gm guy but i seriously cant help but like the gti the passat and the rest of the line up the cars just have cut and clean body lines the styling is flush
I would venture to say that the styling is nonexistent. Nice cars for what they are but too cheap and generic looking. I actually think that 32k is too high of a price for this basic sedan. I would drive a GTI in a heartbeat though.
I agree with you 100%. The new GTI is pure sex on wheels.
VW group can't make the VW line better than the Audi line right? I have a 2014 Passat SEL 1.8T and I've had a 2012 CC, they're good cars. But I'd love to see another review on the Cadillac ATS 2.0T with AWD please.
So many issues I don’t know where to start. First, I realize your opinions are just that but, to say that the dash is from a 1998 Olds is a bit disingenuous. You then knock the plastics, have you been in a Camry or a Accord lately? Way too many cheap plastic bits. Plus the Passat driving experience is so superior to any other mid-sized sedan especially ones made in Detroit or in Japan. I get to drive dozens of cars a year and drive about 50,000 miles annually. The other players in this market do not even compare. Anyway, I own a 2014 TDI SEL Premium and would never even consider owning one of the cars you mentioned compete with the Passat. Cheers and keep the reviews coming.
This is NOT the 2015 VW Passat. This is the OLD model.
It's actually new in the US as of 2012, are you European?
This still has the old architecture, same with the "New Jetta". Only the 2015 Golf in the US has the new MQB architecture.
Never really been a huge fan of the passat to be honest. Both interior and exterior styling have never been its strong points which have always deterred me from considering one to purchase. Nathan pretty much hit the nail on the head with the suggestion of the CC instead. For a couple of grand more you get a much more rounded car and more bang for your buck personally.
I have a 2012 passat tdi highline. Whit 230'000km
You guys should really ask people to like the video, it would help out a lot!
A bird lover or an Australian Ford fan like me?
lffit He's a pewdiepie fan most likely
Everything you said was right on
i like the aquabats shirt
Vw golf (base model) gets the same engine as this SEL version of Passat. This guy is much heavier !! Why is he liking engine so much in this car ?
Really nice car but the interior is not too good looking 😩 they need to remodel it
Thumbs up for the Aquabats shirt.
The new European Passat version has boring Vw design but compared to this US version, the Euro-version looks awesome and futuristic Lol. VW has a weird strategy, first they announce how they are going to use the same platform for every car and they still continue building different versions for the US market.
Small wonder the car looks a bit dated, especially inside. It's the still Passat B7 model that came out in 2010 and that basically is just a facelift + engine update of the Passat B6 that came out in 2005. So if you buy the 2015 Passat in the US you basically buy a car that is almost 10 years old...
The completely new Passat B8 came out here in Germany last year, deliveries started in November 2014. It looks more elegant and modern and the interior (to my eyes) is fantastic, plus it also has the new and much improved generation of infotainment systems.
I have no idea when it will come to the US and wether it will actually be the same car or not... The european version of the Passat B8 is basically designed and made to be a (slightly less pricy) alternative to BMW, Mercedes, Lexus more than as a competitor to Opel, Ford or Toyota and I'm not sure wether they will do that in NA as well, or wether they will make a cheaper version with reduced build quality for NA, like they are doing with the Jetta and Passat now...
If i was the boss of VW group I'd probably give you US guys the same quality of VW cars that we get over here and instead use the Seat and/or Skoda brands for the more budget-oriented buyer. So basically the same strategy they use in Europe... But i guess it would need a lot of investment to do so and VW has focused quite a lot on China, Latin America and Russia in recent years. Maybe it would be time to up their game in North America.
Actually the North American version is a completely different car than the B6 or B7. It is wider, longer and has more interior space than the euro Passat. It is made for the North American and some Asian markets. They did this since the Passat completes against the Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in the NA markets which are considerably larger cars than the Euro Passat which is only slightly larger than a Jetta. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Passat_NMS
Also if they upmarket the VW cars in North America than they would take sales away from their Audi lineup. The VW cars were designed to be people's cars, while the Audi line directly competes against the other premium euro brands. The problem they have in the NA is for a long time they marketed their cars as a premium option over the domestic and Japanese competition but they were only slightly less expensive than the Audi so people that wanted a premium car would buy the Audi. The VW was then priced too high to compete against the lower cost competition. They lost a lot market share because of this dumb strategy. Now they are cutting costs on all their NA cars so they can compete in the market.
Well they do that in Europe... VW as a brand is almost as expensive as the premium brands, while offering more or less the same build quality and refinement and it works out great for them. The "cheaper options" within VW group are wearing a Skoda or Seat badge. And I am pretty sure there is a lot of cannibalization going on, but in the end it does not matter that much. If you have 3 cars from 3 of your groups brands competing in one segment you will more likely attract customers away from your competitors... Basically VW group now uses Skoda for what VW once used to be... Down to earth, solid cars with good value for money. Seat is the option for younger more sporty and stylish folks and young families, VW is now for the mature customer that desires a high level of build quality and refinement without looking like a "badge snob". Basically the thinking mans car, also considering the good resale value etc. And then Audi for the customer who wants the highest standards and is willing to pay a premium for it.
At least that's how their marketing wants it to be percieved. Especially Skoda is growing very quickly and is easily the most succesfull "foreign" brand in
Germany. Just look at the overall dominance of the VW group in the german market. Clearly their strategy works.
(newly registered cars in 2014 in Germany)
de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/167008/umfrage/neuzulassungen-von-pkw-nach-marken-in-deutschland/
(and in Europe)
www.statista.com/statistics/263421/market-share-of-selected-car-maunfacturers-in-europe/
I guess changing the image of the VW brand in NA and placing it as the humble mans luxury car, while introducing Skoda / Seat for the value-for-money custormers, would take a long time and a lot of marketing expenses. But I think it could make sense. For example the role the american Passat (New midsize sedan) plays today could be filled perfectly by the Skoda Superb.
You have to understand that the North American market is vastly different the Europe. VW for a long time wanted to be know as the low cost luxury brand in the US. This did not work for them and hurt their sales.They currently sell less cars than Subaru. The reason is VW does not know the US market and for a long time did things as if they are in Europe. VW is now trying to go mainstream by selling on price and options. This means they have to cut cost on materials.This may cheapen the product but if they want to sell 800,000 from the current 400,000 cars then that is what they need to do. That would place them around Nissan sales territory but still far less than Honda, or Toyota. If they want to keep marketing themselves as a semi-luxury brand then they will have to be happy with staying as a small niche manufacture like Acura, Infiniti or Volvo.
Introducing unknown brands will not help. While I think it would be great to have SEAT and Skoda available in the NA there is a reason they and many other brands are not sold here. It costs too much to bring cars into this market. The US government has some of the most stringent regulations regarding importing cars. That is why most mainstream foreign brands end up build their cars here to cut cost. Then they would have to create a dealership network. That would cost billions of dollars and the whole venture may fail in the long run just like the French and Italian brands. It would be better if they spent the money on building up their NA VW offerings with more competitive CUVs and offering a small truck. Even a small euro van would be great. They already make these products for other markets but they refuse to sell them here.
Some good points being made. The US Passat is a different car than what is offered elsewhere. It is 90% of a good entry into the segment. VW has two main problems in the US: They seem to worry too much about keeping a major distinction between VW and Audi (this is the same fatal error Daimler made when it owned Chrysler. They didn't want it compared to Mercedes Benz and they couldn't improve the Mercedes interiors so they cheapened the Chrysler interiors absurdly. Fiat was able to increase sales dramatically in many cases by simply replacing the interior with something less austere.)
VW also suffers from being run by committee from Germany. It is difficult to get a bunch of stubborn Germans to listen to what their US operations are telling them they need. (I know this first hand having worked many years for German companies operating in the US). The net effect of that is that cars show up with unacceptable interiors, missing features that the public expects (the Hyundai Elantra I had came with a standard USB port as basic equipment. You cannot even get a standard USB port on the top of the line VWs), and insufficient product lineup. 10 years ago it was very apparent to all involved that crossovers were going to play a large part in the US market. They have rapidly overtaken sedans as the vehicle of choice. By not having competitive crossovers in its lineup VW has surrendered participation in fully half the US market. They should have had a Passat based crossover in close step behind the opening of the factory, but it will not launch until 2016. The same holds true for the Jetta based crossover. That vehicle should have been on the market several years ago, but VW dithers.
im very impressed with this engine but the v6 is way quicker
Bland exterior and interior styling? I am a 4-door car driver and soon to be buyer -- I would never give this a second look.
that's good! with a vw, a repair shop will be your best friend. realibility looks different, like the camry.
looks like it's from the 90s but has an LCD screen
this looks like the 7th genereation of european passat, not our 2015 8th generation, at least the front face does, back's a bit different.
I like it. I don't like the huge grilles that are on so many new cars.
It's a bit of a downgrade in materials and features and architecture in the states but it allows the passat to be pretty cheap and that allows me as a college student to afford one to commute in.
Nice german Nathan, love it :-)
Have a look at the 2015 European Version: www.passat.com/de/de/home.html
"Reminds me of a Buick" ...niceee ...heh heh heh 🐧
In Germany interior is different, modern, why? the model i saw is called VW Passat B8
i believe this car is made in the us, and it is a cheaper and slightly different looking than the original
Even the exterior is different in Germany
this is the passat b7 usa. the passat b8 isn't really available in germany and it will come to the us in several years
TheGbizaille Yes, u are right
1GTASANANDREASCJ I think its available already for German people
I was a VW 2008 Passat Owner and then this piece of shit came out. I wanted to buy a new Passat but after a test drive all I got was a Camry or Altima with a VW badge on it. I want the Euro Passat, the one we used to get, not this poor example. VW of America can suck it.
It looks like a Jetta... Oh wait it's normal all VW looks the same a German tradition like Audi BM and Benz
I know this is an unpopular opinion but I don't see why people buy these. journalist seem to like them for all the faults. Like they are afraid to say something bad about them. Not stylish but not ugly? dated wheels look premium? Quiet but you can hear the engine that doesn't make an attractive sound which is somehow good? The interior is not bad but dated like an old Buick? Has torque and trunk space going for it.
I agree with your statement. But I would also encourage you to drive one and I bet you'll say the same thing. It's an odd blend of everything.
The automotive gray area. Explains my feelings for most of VW offerings.
Drive one. I drove my buddies the other day. Drives better than any midsize/large car I have driven. Solid feeling car. Handles awesome and plenty of power.
Acht du leve. At 00:49
I wonder what that actually means?
That interior does look terrible compared to even their own interior on the cheaper Golf. That 2015 Golf R you reviewed recently looks great inside. I hope this thing is due for an update soon. It is nice to see another car that isn't priced completely by size though. I mean the Jetta is a little smaller and cheaper, but it's not a huge difference (about $4k). It seems like that's why they feel like they can put in a terrible interior though. I still just don't believe that it costs companies that much more to make a larger car.
+goatmonkey2112 The interior of the Passat is cheap looking and horrible! Ew!
Skip to 0:39
NO LED ? :o thats bad
this is the old one.
What a beautiful car.
The European version is much nicer looking. But costs almost double.
I had no idea that car interiors could be "dated." There are only 3 things that date a car's interior now that I think about it:
1. Stereo. There was a time when cars had no sound system! Shocking, I know. So I guess you could date a car to an era either before car stereos and after car stereos.
2. Cassette/CD player. After cars got sound systems they started to come with Cassette and then CD players. I guess this is the next era.
3. Replacing *EVERYTHING* with digital bullshit. This is the last "era" of interior designs and it's the one we're currently on where car makers are obsessed with replacing absolutely everything with digital LED's from gauges, to lights, to the damned stereo itself. I wonder if next they will integrate the ignition button into the display screen so that it's not an actual button anymore but just another digital interface app.
Cars today have too much useless and stupid shit that serve absolutely no purpose other than to distract you (as if cell phones aren't going a good job at it) and jack up the price.
The recommended 10,000 mi oil change is stretching it a bit. More "real world" would be 5,000 but no more than 6,000. Owner's Manual says to expect 1qt oil loss every 1,250 mi. I get virtually no oil loss. The reviewer is claiming that the Passat is dated. Is it dated? That depends on your viewpoint. The reviewer of this video is wearing a jacket having a zipper - the zipper was first used on jackets in 1928 - so I guess the reviewer is wearing a dated design jacket. Just because you own something that was designed some 100 years ago - like a pencil - doesn't make the product bad.
dated interior? I certainly wouldn't compare it to a 90's buick. It's a boring car but its also less than 25k new. What do you expect?
I like my b6 interior better.
I can appreciate the conservative styling. This car has nothing to prove. Sometimes you don’t want to make a style statement.
Only 170 HP
A loaded up Mazda6 is a much better deal
The US version is no where nearly as nice looking as the European one
you say family car?
I need to switch my bmw 320i,Im young and my dad wants to change it for a passat v6 or an A4, any other ideas?
this is far from a pussy magnet, damn
I just want to point out that for 32 grand you could go buy a Audi A3. Much better in my opinion.
Who would want a basic A3, when you can get a fully loaded Passat?
You could also buy an evo or an sti or an si
Nico Trice Definitely true but those are performance cars so there suspension is going to reflect that so you tend to feel the road a lot more. So basically if you were the type of person who was looking at a Passat, Evo's wouldn't even be on your mind. Its all a mute point though because I would just save up to buy a Tesla. Me Gusta....
Jacob Frazier-Martinez If you are buying a Passat you need a family car…The A3 isn’t a family car.
Audi A3 is a girls car
#justgetakia
This is an old passat
It's the shitty 2014
Imao $32k for a 1.8T
2.5 passat sounds better
It is parody on european vw passat 😃
I really hate this version why don't they bring the 2016 here.
The Passat is still a great example of a rental car. The one I drove was a very bouncy drive. Not my interest.
As an European i don't like this car, or VW cars at all. They are so boring and ugly.
Why would i get THIS instead of a Honda Accord 2015? Top of the line Accord is $33,000 and it looks way better both on the inside and outside, and has way more features. And its just as reliable as VW, and it's cheaper to maintain.
jaymum23 We dont use CVTs in Europe and plastic quality feeling is relative. The message is that you get more bang for your buck with a Honda and my friens has a 2009 Honda Civic and his service book is literally only oil and air fliter changes
I really hate long comments so i'm just gonna say that plastic is not what i pay attention to when buying a car. My perfect car is good looking (Honda), has a screen heavy interior (Honda) is reliable (Honda) and is cheaper to repair than VW (Serbia, not sure about US)
What i especially hate about VWs is their inflated EU price. I'm NEVER gonna pay $10,000 for a USED VW Polo (Mk5) that has literally no equipment, not even a radio or a multifunctional wheel, not to mention automatic AC or something more luxurious. That's a robbery, no matter how "reliable" or "german" it is.
jaymum23 At least your country doesn't rip you off on car registrations and gas prices. We pay 1.20$ per liter of petrol, you pay about 50 cents per liter, and registration price is determined by Discplacement:
XXX - 1600cm3 = about 220$
1600 - 2000cm3 = about 290$
2000 - 3000cm3 = about 700$
3000cm3+++++ = from 700$ to 1500$
And on top of that, your purchasing power is WAY bigger than hours. I just happen to have a well paying job.
No wonder 80% of cars in my country use 2L and smaller engines.......it sucks. I want a 5L V10 BMW! Fuck you government!
jaymum23 We're in the same boat. Mediocre infrastructure minus air pollution + speed cameras. And our cops won't put a bullet through your head for no reason. Lol
looks like a car from early 2000s , old and dated with bland interior. Much better buys for the price
Lets face it guys this car is dead boring for me anyway ( not like Nathan) like a lot of German cars, I suspect sometimes they create their own reputation, because here in Europe thay DO have problems and the dealers are mean with warranty claims!
European Version....much nicer
A VW can never compete with a Toyota quality wise. The TSI engine's are very unreliable. The camchains tend to wear with fatal consequenses for the engine. The 1.8 and 2.0 TSI can use a lot of oil....and VW isn't helping costumers after the short 2 year warranty. The TSI are only frugal when driven like a granny......when driven normal the use a lot more, and they use extremely more when pushed harder. To keep the engine cool when pushed they had to spray in extra fuel to cool it down. The TSI engine's are far from perfect if you ask me. They should have testen them a lot more before putting people up with this problematic thing
in europe VW just gives a 2 years waranty. Quality wise a VW isn't near as good as any japenese car. i think its very dull styled
You do know that real quality isn't in the finish of a car. In general A VW will break down more often than a Toyota, Honda or Subaru. The petrol engines arent realaiable and problemen after the warrenty periode arent solved properly. i believe a VW is far overrated. The want to impress with tight finish but are rubish underneath
+Fast Eddie Fishing LOL. Yeah, but all those cars are shit!!!
+Fast Eddie Fishing Yeah? But all those cars you mentioned are shit!
Feels like VW quality getting worse every year.
Its a good retal car. I like driving it but wouldnt buy one
god cars look so shitty in SILVER !!!
VW owns Bentley, but VW's own lineup of cars seem pretty bleh.
Damnnn, it's fucking boring inside out!!!