I don't have problems but I am a VW enthusiast. So I maintain it properly, and I know about some of the issues and I take care of them before they become a problem. But then again I'm not your standard car owner so I can't really speak for them.
Another amazing review. I never thought I would enjoy reviews of 'normal' cars but your videos are so honest and so expertly put together they're just enjoyable no matter what the car is.
Like most German auto makers, the exterior changes between versions of the same model is very subtle. Think 5 series for example, even folks that have no interest in cars will be able to pick out a 10 year old 5 series at a distance. German manufactures know that if a model changes drastically every 3-4 years then owners will loose a pile, come resale as no one wants the "old shape". This kind of understanding builds brand loyalty .
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bo jangles, good point. I have to concede that the styling isn't very lively, but it will probably age well. It shouldn't look weird after 10 years when people would otherwise think the styling looks bizzare or tacky.
I have a B5 Passat and people constantly call it an Audi. It's debadged with a badgeless front grill. only emblem left is on the trunk lid because I had to leave it or there would be a detent in the body work.
Yet another example of why I have subscribed to this channel. Nice review, and he hits it on the head. This car is not for everyone. It is boring by some standards, but for me, I love the simple, elegant, no nonsense styling that the car presents. This one will definitely be getting a test drive vs. the Camry and Legacy.
I've owned precisely one Passat. As you say, hideously unreliable and hideously expensive to fix. Buy a BMW if you're in Europe. Or a Mazda. Anything other than a VW Group car.
kimi17147 sure old vws can be reliable but I hope you can bring yourself to terms looking at reliability records of modern cars :) VW is not as bad as people make them out to be but nearly all the Asian brands still have less problems per veh.. www.truedelta.com/car-reliability-by-brand?min=2000&max=2016
Asian cars do nothing for me, as far as owning VW's I have done that, 2004 Golf, 2006 Passat, 2011 GTI, 2012 Passat 3.6, 2015 GTI, 2016 GTI PP, 2017 Golf R. Now that is 7 VW's with a combined mileage of 400k miles and guess how many problems I had???? This is also with tracking the last three and beating the crap out of each car ever day......... 0 other then recalls.... now I service my car regularly and make sure that all of the maintenance is up to date. Are VW's the most reliable car company???? Absolutely not, not even close but from my experience they have treated me just fine.
+kimi17147: I ran a BMW 528i to over 380,000 miles without incident. Glad you've not experienced the issues I had with my 06-07 Passat. That was horrendous. Current Mazda 6 is a very nice drive. Much more involving than even the current Passat. Thanks for replies!!
My mom replaced her '13 Passat TDI with a '17 Passat 1.8T and I think the refresh did wonders for the car. My biggest gripes with the '13 was that it was sorely lacking in the tech and infotainment department and I hated the halogen headlamps. With the '17, all that has been rectified; it has park pilot, park assist, apple carplay, ACC, BLIS, LDW, etc. You are also definitely right about the steering though, the '13 felt way better than the '17.
Your review is on point. One cup kit, thicker rear sway bar and custom magnaflow catback exhaust later and the car is literally transformed. I love my 12' Passat VR6. The VR6/DSG combo is awesome all while getting 31mpg on the highway.
i have a 2012 vr6 dsg and it sometimes has electronic issues. it needs brakes, tires, ball joints and the carbon clean. its really fast but while i wont completely say unreliable its got some issues. im trying to get rid of mine asap and i want a golf r, audi a6, or mercedes e class, audi s4, bmw 335i or 550i. my 2012 vr6 b7 passat has 111k miles.
why would you wanna sell your VW just to go back to more german cars? Stick with japanese cars if you want reliability. and acura, Infiniti, and lexus are amazing rivals to the german trio.
MrWalker1000 only one out of the three mentioned comparable to an Audi bmw or mb would be Infiniti. Acura is not reliable really and Lexus have terrible acceleration and mpg to comparable mb Audi or bmws
I resonate with your reviews and the level of detail you into these reviews. So honest, and you seem to keep perspective through out! Hope turbowski is feeling better!
I love this car. So simple and elegant. Also, this video and your other videos are among the best I've ever watched. You talk about the most important aspects of the car. I look forward to your future content!
FLJAMESFL I also have a 2018 Passat R-Line and it’s a very nice car but VW really cut corners on a lot of what was standard on my 2015 Passat Wolfsburg. No trunk hinge covers, no glove box light, no hood insulation, even the inside front seat tracks don’t get the plastic end covers... I’ve ordered and added most of these gripes but one thing is my 2015 09G transmission was neber as refined as the 09G in this one. This one has much quicker shifts, never gets confused or harsh shifts... my 2015 was pretty bad looking back even after a software update. The LED lighting package blew my mind. I have noticed a lot of oil seepage under the engine cover on areas around the cam cradle and it’s not the sealant, I think it’s this new 0W oil that is finding its way out. I neber had a drop of seepage on my 1.8 in the 2015 but it had 5W oil i believe. If you could tell me if yours is seeping at all I’d appreciate it. The only good time to take your car to the dealer is when your trading it in for a new one, I trust nobody touching my cars but me. The idea of them opening my engine ranks with me screwing red hot drywall screws in my eyes haha. I have 18,500 miles on it so far.
I love your reviews man, they just stand out for me. Your images are beautiful and beyond professional. Plus the chubby escorts, I can tell you have good taste.
I've always been a big car fanatic an I'm impressed by your through knowledge and awesome real car reviews that you do I wish we could work together but I live in the south!
Great review. I wanted to love this car. Five things kept me from grabbing an '18 model year of the same trim/engine. 1. The steering wheel is SO off driver's center that I couldn't unsee it...always bothered me. 2. The steering wheel didn't tilt down low enough and I couldn't close the gap because the driver's seat has no height adjustment at its front end. 3. The front seats seemed rock hard to me, couldn't imagine cruising in this car. 4. Torque steer, even when gently turning out of box store parking lot. 5. Worst for last - the numbest, lightest steering. Zero tactile feedback, hyper-responsive, floaty...like driving my grandmother's '73 Impala. The engine and transmission were, as you say, amazing to drive, and the ride was great other than the steering and rock-like seats.
I have been leasing, thank God, a 2017 VW Passat S with the 1.8 litre turbo 4 cylinder and 6 speed tiptronic auto transmission. After 2 years of living with this car, here is my take, in a nut shell. Copious amounts of interior room and trunk space. Excellent cruiser on the highway. Driving experience will not excite in any way, shape or form. But, very comfortable and it gets very good MPG for such a big car.
THANK YOU for this review. It has been impossible to find a facelift passat review with the VR6 from an enthusiast channel. Sadly we didnt hear what the shop had to say, but he doesn't really say much anyway. I think this car in its stock form is quite bland. But with tasteful mods to suspension and wheel/tire combo they look amazing. Actually the R-line version looks pretty nice already from factory. Sadly no VR6 engine in it. Coming from a mk6 gti now that i have a family i've been looking at these passats, but no traction control button and your comment on steering feel are things to consider @savagegeese
So I got rid of my BMW Z4 and winter car a bmw 323. Bought the vr6 Passat 2017 used with 12000km. It was functional. Great transmission. Great engine. Just really boring but got a good price And had a year and a half of Warranty left. After 6 months I got rid of it for a bmw m240. Kids are grown. Don’t require rear seats that are usable. My favourite part of my day is driving to and from work. I look forward to it. Best all round car I’ve owned that I can drive in the snow. Catching up on videos with the present plague so this comment is not timely.
The best car ever!!! I own one 2017 R line so happy. For the price you pay can't buy better car. I test drive Honda Accord, Passat is much better car comfortable, clean. Honda looks like toy and metal panels so weak. Passat so strong. I think the best midsize sedan. Thanks VW👍🇩🇪
Awesome review! Like you said, the exterior is a clean look, nothing fancy or show-boaty. I love it so much! Light interiors are the way to go, no matter what car. Sitting in a black interior just makes you feel down and cramped. Also, I'm very happy you got to drive the VR6, that engine paired with that amazing Dual-clutch tranny, is what sold me on that car.
At the very end, with the 8-bit sounds of the beach. Is that from Sega's Out Run game? If so, is that from the Sega Master System or the arcade version. Great review.
I briefly owned a '16 and then a '17 Passat R-Line. It's true what he said. It's bland yet has big style. The 1.8T is good. There needs to be a 2.0L turbo option since there is a huge gap up to the 3.6L V6. Resale is horrible.
J O, The reason for the V6 is not so much a sporty option, it's to have a less complicated normally aspired engine, with plenty of power, V6 smoothness and reliability.
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Madeline Monahan, I'm from the US. As for merging onto highways, I've never found the 1.8T to be lacking when merging. Even on the shortest entrance ramps, I can hit 60mph (starting from around 30mph) using just 3rd gear.
J O, I didn't say this in my comment, but I meant V6's in general have been reliable, long lasting engines. I actually have a Jetta 1.8T, it does have good power, but has cost me $6,000 in repairs over 80k miles.
I have the previous gen Passat 3.6. I can attest that the drivetrain is phenominal. Though its sad this generation got so soft. Also the 4motion on mine makes it so much better.
My perfect daily. Comfort and fuel mpg of a passat. I personally get the apr tuning and a summer wheel and tire combo. Great daily! B5/b6 manual trans.
Thank you for the review. I love the American Passat. I owned the 1.8t and moved to the GT with the VR6 and I love it. Anytime you can get hands on with the Passat GT?
The VW Passat was wooping all the midsize car's asses back in 1999-2004, when they introduced the 20v 1.8t and everybody was getting a chip "performance reflash". Seeing 250 lbs of torque at the crank in a 3100 lb car was pretty impressive at that time. And still seeing 30 mpg.
The road noise is because of the the H rated, Continental tires. If you go to Michelin Primacy MXM4 V rated tires than the handling improves and noise almost vanishes.
Isn't that dead on center slop built into all German cars ? Its there so when you doing a buck thirty on the Autobahn you don't sneeze yourself into a ditch. Right Geese?
Good review with a lot of insights I've not heard elsewhere. The noise and the dead steering wheel in particular were standout observations. It sounds like this would be the perfect company car for a cement salesman or carpet pattern designer. I totally agree on the DSG- the one in my Mk6 GTI is amazing except on holding revs. I went from a manual to the DSG and would have a hard time giving up the versatility and function of the DSG for the pleasure of working the shift knob. The Manuel is just not as good most of the time. The DSG is perfect in traffic and in carving up the mountains. It holds boost. It doesn't wear me out in stop and go traffic. It is built like a tank. I can easily change the expensive-ass fluid ($150 every 40K miles). As for what this might mean in the future - be still my beating heart! Does this mean more Vee Dubs might be making their way through your gizzard and out ontoTH-cam? I want to see and hear your thoughts on the GTI and possibly the R. Also the Jetta. I have to wonder why someone I know got rid of her very distinguished brown Jetta for a hideous white Camrolla.
+Candice Juliano Shooting Concrete salesman?! I gotta meet one of those people. Good points about your DSG. If I were in a shit traffic area Id be all over it. As far as future videos on VW have to see if they even have more cars, took me forever to get this one
I swear … you need to be offering creative editing classes to 90% of the TH-cam vloggers out there. Excellent, seamless work with great content and review. Not to be a dick but didn't miss Scott one bit.
Since you skipped the under the hood segment, we have no info about the car's reliability. VW has had sub-par build quality and reliability for years. How does it compare to the Accord, Camry, Mazda 6, etc?
For US people, a Passat with 3.6 litter V6 is a mid size car !!! For me a Passat is too big to fit in my car park. how do they see my 208 or a K car : a toy ? We don't live in the same world
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Madeline Monahan, sorry, but some people, here in the US, just simply like more space... not because we're all overweight. ...even my Czech wife insisted on buying a "mid-sized" SUV. and trying to fit into a clown car (Yaris) isn't that fun when you're over 6' tall.
Well even in Texas the Passat feels big for many parking garages. Of course some people also park much bigger Super Duty pickup trucks in these smaller garages too.
An American thinks 100 years is a long time and a European thinks 100 miles (160 kilometres) is a long way. Berlin to Munich? That’s just LA to Phoenix. Berlin to Stalingrad? Ha! That only gets you to Kansas City.
One awesome thing about VW is you can change the steering profiles on a lot of their cars. I know my car can change between all the trim levels of my car, trim levels of audi/skodas and seat. You can also (i dont know about all cars) turn on torque steer compensation which uses the electric powersteering to counter act the torque steer. It's possible these settings may not have been set properly. OR you just didn't like it which is fair enough.
Yes that DSG is a sweetheart and if you read up on it you will see the functionality of a DSG has it all over the traditional automatic. I am talking QUICK and SMOOTH and all about getting it done and done right. I had one in my 13 TDI Passat. There is a sort of expensive maintenance interval at 40K with the DSG but if you’re like me you’re out of the car at 40-45K anyway. I am old school so I do not think that six cylinders should cost as much as they do in the modern day market but then you cannot get them on many cars so I think the supply and demand may come into play. I currently have a 1.8T Passat and although it will do 100mph on open highway I recently had my butt handed to me by a V8 Tundra (off the light no less). Not only did he hand me my butt he beat it so bad I am still trying to figure out how that heavy beast overcame gravity the way it did. Oh yeah it's that mean V8 right. On the flip side I can leave 4 cyl Hondas in the deep dust and that goes for Corollas and Camry’s.
Sound mats solves the sound issues! I do it on all my cars. Inexpensive but som labor involved. I think it's fun to do and the satisfaction when you slam the door and it sounds like a BMW...
@savagegeese Thank you for the great car review, I feel you provide honest and thorough feedback, which brings me to a question. Im currently in the market for a family mid-size sedan that is both large enough for a family (including rear facing child seats) but also engaging and fun to drive. Ive poured over hours of videos and research on the segment, and two standouts would be as reviewed here, the VW Passat SEL Premium V6 or a Ford Fusion Sport with the EcoBoost V6 -- Any thoughts on which way to swing? I know you reviewed both
Does anyone know if VW resolved the carbon buildup issue on the back of the valves for their TSI engines? I heard this was a big issue recently. I still have ownership nightmares of my 2000 Passat 2.0T (carbon build up was the least of my problems).
+Antoine Pageau As far I know what their current generation turbo Motors you better plan on Walnut blasting them every 30000 miles. I'm not sure about the V6 as they are not as common.
Say what you will about the design approach (i.e. stark minimalism and understated sophistication), but I personally wish more manufacturers would take cues or use a similar mindset/approach when designing their own products. V.A.G. vehicles tend to age exceptionally well, you look at their elegant, unobtrusive, and inoffensive designs, and they tend to last well past the expected lifetimes of the vehicles, where a lot of the more daring competition may appeal more greatly now, but tend to look far more obnoxious or out-of-place on the road as they age. And, again, say what you will about VW reliability, but if you spec out your models smartly (stuff like the 1.8Ts instead of 2.0Ts, or 3.2 NAs instead of 3.0Ts, etc) and you'll find astonishingly dependable, solid vehicles.
Old Jetta was emitting more cancerous particles than 5.7 hemi pickup 😂 "Uber" engineering TDI for people who value MPG over their life and air quality. Also it sounds shitty.
Mark, If I drove my 2018 Passat GT up there would you review it? Not that it would happen anytime soon.. just curious ;) P.S. I love this review. Your affinity for V6 sedans matches mine very closely, nothing better than a good V6 pull on a country road. Thanks!!
+savagegeese Thanks for the detailed review. Germans are known for sportier handling, but maybe not this Passat. I was more interested in 1.8L Turbo even though it might be under-powered but mated with DCT, surely it cannot be deal breaker, is it? If you have done 1.8L Turbo motor in the past or recent, how is that motor?
As far as a large car goes, I LOVE the shape and interior design of the VW's! I'd own one (and so would others in my family), if only they had better reliability. I hear of so many problems with the mechanical aspects of VW, I wouldn't touch one until they improve significantly.
I watch these videos for the in depth reviews and knowledge I can gain. Mostly to see how many poker faced jokes I can catch. Love it. Rubber gloves bleach and duct tape.
Had a 2012 Passat and really liked that car. It just had to many issues and the main one was the Door locks stopped working. I looked it up and seems to be a VW issue everywhere. All I could think was if they put cheap locks on this what else is super cheap?? Traded it.
How come you haven't reviewed a mk7 golf gti yet 😳? Would love to hear your opinions on it before I make a purchase. Really worried about its reliability to be honest.
There just something about a audi/vw that brings me back. Cant pinpoint what it is. I suppose its just the way they drive and the throttle response but also fuel economy. Ive left twice to a different manufacturer but I always return.
Sadly letting go my 2014 GLI and wished I could get a 2019 version of it. Unfortunately not available! Considering the 2018 Passat GT as a replacement. Will lose the stick shift, but gain power with VR6. Thoughts would be appreciated, I’m really struggling. (I tried the Civic Si and Subaru WRX, but not interested. Also, GTI not roomy enough (mainly because of of trunk space) Thanks!
"Wood veneer" isn't fake, and doesn't look fake. It's just thin cut, high quality wood. You see that in open grain wood surfaces in modern Volvos and Audis. The shiny stuff is probably just printed wood pattern, and not veneer at all.
Can we have a review on older cars? Like older facelifts? I have a mazda 3 2013 and i really need to know if it is a good car in comparison to the rest in the category. Thanks
Seems to be a generation behind the European version? That's not all a 'bad thing' because the latest Euro is saturated with parallel lines. Right across the dash and all round the body in a way. Perhaps the American version seen here will soon get a major update to match/catch up?
This was unusually interesting - great assessment I think (I'm a Golf owner). This makes me want to see your review (with Turbowski) of the possibly under-rated Jetta GLI - a little more tightly tuned, sports engine etc. the GTI in sedan form.
Wrong version. The Passat has to be bought as a station wagon. The limousine was always an after thought. In Germany it is rarely bought as an limousine. It's for families because mini vans were never a thing in Germany. Only in the last 10 years this changed quite a bit.
agree, the steering ratio must be 16:1 or 17:1. good for lazy straight line cruising, terrible for taking turns. Engine and transmission is very good, immediate torque and fast shifts, not sluggish at all like most Japanese slushmatics that takes forever to spin up torque converter.
I like how this reviewer speaks slowly and clearly and not in a fast and annoyingly loud manner like most other car reviewers
I don't have problems but I am a VW enthusiast. So I maintain it properly, and I know about some of the issues and I take care of them before they become a problem. But then again I'm not your standard car owner so I can't really speak for them.
Just like Doug Demuro but Doug Demuro is more entertaining for my pov.
Another amazing review. I never thought I would enjoy reviews of 'normal' cars but your videos are so honest and so expertly put together they're just enjoyable no matter what the car is.
Raymond Koenen I agree with you on all counts. Awesome videos. 👍👍
Like most German auto makers, the exterior changes between versions of the same model is very subtle.
Think 5 series for example, even folks that have no interest in cars will be able to pick out a 10 year old 5 series at a distance.
German manufactures know that if a model changes drastically every 3-4 years then owners will loose a pile, come resale as no one wants the "old shape".
This kind of understanding builds brand loyalty .
bo jangles, good point. I have to concede that the styling isn't very lively, but it will probably age well. It shouldn't look weird after 10 years when people would otherwise think the styling looks bizzare or tacky.
I have a B5 Passat and people constantly call it an Audi. It's debadged with a badgeless front grill. only emblem left is on the trunk lid because I had to leave it or there would be a detent in the body work.
You mean like the Chris Bangle BMWs with the Dame Edna headlights and the “Bangle Butt”?
Yet another example of why I have subscribed to this channel. Nice review, and he hits it on the head. This car is not for everyone. It is boring by some standards, but for me, I love the simple, elegant, no nonsense styling that the car presents. This one will definitely be getting a test drive vs. the Camry and Legacy.
I love all the people shitting on VW reliability but they have never owned one and talk about that one friend that had issues in a 1978 Passat
I've owned precisely one Passat. As you say, hideously unreliable and hideously expensive to fix. Buy a BMW if you're in Europe. Or a Mazda. Anything other than a VW Group car.
kimi17147 sure old vws can be reliable but I hope you can bring yourself to terms looking at reliability records of modern cars :) VW is not as bad as people make them out to be but nearly all the Asian brands still have less problems per veh.. www.truedelta.com/car-reliability-by-brand?min=2000&max=2016
I've switched back to Japan. Mazda 6 is my current choice of car. We get the very tasty 2.2 diesel unit here. Conservatively rated at 180 PS.
Asian cars do nothing for me, as far as owning VW's I have done that, 2004 Golf, 2006 Passat, 2011 GTI, 2012 Passat 3.6, 2015 GTI, 2016 GTI PP, 2017 Golf R. Now that is 7 VW's with a combined mileage of 400k miles and guess how many problems I had???? This is also with tracking the last three and beating the crap out of each car ever day......... 0 other then recalls.... now I service my car regularly and make sure that all of the maintenance is up to date. Are VW's the most reliable car company???? Absolutely not, not even close but from my experience they have treated me just fine.
+kimi17147: I ran a BMW 528i to over 380,000 miles without incident. Glad you've not experienced the issues I had with my 06-07 Passat. That was horrendous. Current Mazda 6 is a very nice drive. Much more involving than even the current Passat. Thanks for replies!!
My mom replaced her '13 Passat TDI with a '17 Passat 1.8T and I think the refresh did wonders for the car. My biggest gripes with the '13 was that it was sorely lacking in the tech and infotainment department and I hated the halogen headlamps. With the '17, all that has been rectified; it has park pilot, park assist, apple carplay, ACC, BLIS, LDW, etc. You are also definitely right about the steering though, the '13 felt way better than the '17.
The Passat is a beautifully understated and classy car. My only regret is that they no longer offer it with a manual transmission.
Your review is on point. One cup kit, thicker rear sway bar and custom magnaflow catback exhaust later and the car is literally transformed. I love my 12' Passat VR6. The VR6/DSG combo is awesome all while getting 31mpg on the highway.
Wait 'til the repair bills start to land. Get rid of it ASAP.
i have a 2012 vr6 dsg and it sometimes has electronic issues. it needs brakes, tires, ball joints and the carbon clean. its really fast but while i wont completely say unreliable its got some issues. im trying to get rid of mine asap and i want a golf r, audi a6, or mercedes e class, audi s4, bmw 335i or 550i. my 2012 vr6 b7 passat has 111k miles.
why would you wanna sell your VW just to go back to more german cars? Stick with japanese cars if you want reliability. and acura, Infiniti, and lexus are amazing rivals to the german trio.
MrWalker1000 cause I wouldn't have to pay for maintence if I leased them.
MrWalker1000 only one out of the three mentioned comparable to an Audi bmw or mb would be Infiniti. Acura is not reliable really and Lexus have terrible acceleration and mpg to comparable mb Audi or bmws
I resonate with your reviews and the level of detail you into these reviews. So honest, and you seem to keep perspective through out! Hope turbowski is feeling better!
I am really surprised that no one has offered you a video production job. This is one of your best videos. And there ARE Passats everywhere.
Call Chubby Escorts now?
Nice touch
DEVLAD i thought i would be the only one that saw that.
Can't fault the mans taste :D
he always does that stuff , in his ridgeline video i think he put a bunch of hot dogs and condoms in the back of it to show off what it could hold
Have we all forgotten his "Girls Farting" mega mix from last year?
Also, the TDI Buyback?
I love this car. So simple and elegant. Also, this video and your other videos are among the best I've ever watched. You talk about the most important aspects of the car. I look forward to your future content!
As a owner of a 2018 Passat R-line, you really landed the review. Great job.
FLJAMESFL I also have a 2018 Passat R-Line and it’s a very nice car but VW really cut corners on a lot of what was standard on my 2015 Passat Wolfsburg. No trunk hinge covers, no glove box light, no hood insulation, even the inside front seat tracks don’t get the plastic end covers... I’ve ordered and added most of these gripes but one thing is my 2015 09G transmission was neber as refined as the 09G in this one. This one has much quicker shifts, never gets confused or harsh shifts... my 2015 was pretty bad looking back even after a software update. The LED lighting package blew my mind. I have noticed a lot of oil seepage under the engine cover on areas around the cam cradle and it’s not the sealant, I think it’s this new 0W oil that is finding its way out. I neber had a drop of seepage on my 1.8 in the 2015 but it had 5W oil i believe. If you could tell me if yours is seeping at all I’d appreciate it. The only good time to take your car to the dealer is when your trading it in for a new one, I trust nobody touching my cars but me. The idea of them opening my engine ranks with me screwing red hot drywall screws in my eyes haha. I have 18,500 miles on it so far.
Your videos are great! Just the right blend of information, opinion, and humor. Looking forward to your future content.
Man, I would have loved to hear Turboski speak about VW lol.
Heartagram same here
he had diarrhea
Gregory Perkins - that probably summarizes his feelings on VW reliability..
I love your reviews man, they just stand out for me. Your images are beautiful and beyond professional. Plus the chubby escorts, I can tell you have good taste.
This guy should be making movies and shit with these cinematics, another good review bro
I've always been a big car fanatic an I'm impressed by your through knowledge and awesome real car reviews that you do I wish we could work together but I live in the south!
I'm always amazed at the production quality of your videos. Keep up the great work!
Straight forward honest review and your shots are very good.
Great review. I wanted to love this car. Five things kept me from grabbing an '18 model year of the same trim/engine. 1. The steering wheel is SO off driver's center that I couldn't unsee it...always bothered me. 2. The steering wheel didn't tilt down low enough and I couldn't close the gap because the driver's seat has no height adjustment at its front end. 3. The front seats seemed rock hard to me, couldn't imagine cruising in this car. 4. Torque steer, even when gently turning out of box store parking lot. 5. Worst for last - the numbest, lightest steering. Zero tactile feedback, hyper-responsive, floaty...like driving my grandmother's '73 Impala. The engine and transmission were, as you say, amazing to drive, and the ride was great other than the steering and rock-like seats.
I love the music at the beginning of each video. Great content as usual !
I have been leasing, thank God, a 2017 VW Passat S with the 1.8 litre turbo 4 cylinder and 6 speed tiptronic auto transmission. After 2 years of living with this car, here is my take, in a nut shell. Copious amounts of interior room and trunk space. Excellent cruiser on the highway. Driving experience will not excite in any way, shape or form. But, very comfortable and it gets very good MPG for such a big car.
Love this car! I brought one last year. I have a S model and even the S models are quite loaded.
THANK YOU for this review. It has been impossible to find a facelift passat review with the VR6 from an enthusiast channel. Sadly we didnt hear what the shop had to say, but he doesn't really say much anyway. I think this car in its stock form is quite bland. But with tasteful mods to suspension and wheel/tire combo they look amazing. Actually the R-line version looks pretty nice already from factory. Sadly no VR6 engine in it. Coming from a mk6 gti now that i have a family i've been looking at these passats, but no traction control button and your comment on steering feel are things to consider @savagegeese
Hahahaha "My TDI buyback is complete" I love the Easter eggs in your videos!
Stellar review. Amazing opening footage. Rock on.
So I got rid of my BMW Z4 and winter car a bmw 323. Bought the vr6 Passat 2017 used with 12000km. It was functional. Great transmission. Great engine. Just really boring but got a good price
And had a year and a half of
Warranty left. After 6 months I got rid of it for a bmw m240. Kids are grown. Don’t require rear seats that are usable. My favourite part of my day is driving to and from work. I look forward to it. Best all round car I’ve owned that I can drive in the snow. Catching up on videos with the present plague so this comment is not timely.
The best car ever!!! I own one 2017 R line so happy. For the price you pay can't buy better car. I test drive Honda Accord, Passat is much better car comfortable, clean. Honda looks like toy and metal panels so weak. Passat so strong. I think the best midsize sedan. Thanks VW👍🇩🇪
Ante Zoric...I agree...!!
The Accord will be halfway through its life while this thing is off to the scrapper with chronic electrical problems that make it undrivable.
I bought mine a few months ago. Black with black leather and the top inside is gray. I just did 20% all around its a beautiful car
"Bleach, rubber gloves, and duct tape". Hilarious!
Awesome review! Like you said, the exterior is a clean look, nothing fancy or show-boaty. I love it so much! Light interiors are the way to go, no matter what car. Sitting in a black interior just makes you feel down and cramped.
Also, I'm very happy you got to drive the VR6, that engine paired with that amazing Dual-clutch tranny, is what sold me on that car.
Haha I appreciate that Regular Car Reviews shoutout. And nice touch with the TDI buyback ;)
At the very end, with the 8-bit sounds of the beach. Is that from Sega's Out Run game? If so, is that from the Sega Master System or the arcade version. Great review.
+ErwinSchrodinger64 Outrun Master System, good ear.
Loved the Sega Outrun outro
I briefly owned a '16 and then a '17 Passat R-Line. It's true what he said. It's bland yet has big style. The 1.8T is good. There needs to be a 2.0L turbo option since there is a huge gap up to the 3.6L V6. Resale is horrible.
overseas there is no v6, the 2.0l turbo 280hp (golf r engine) replaces the v6.
I see! There's no V6 anymore in Australia.
J O, The reason for the V6 is not so much a sporty option, it's to have a less complicated normally aspired engine, with plenty of power, V6 smoothness and reliability.
Madeline Monahan, I'm from the US. As for merging onto highways, I've never found the 1.8T to be lacking when merging. Even on the shortest entrance ramps, I can hit 60mph (starting from around 30mph) using just 3rd gear.
J O, I didn't say this in my comment, but I meant V6's in general have been reliable, long lasting engines. I actually have a Jetta 1.8T, it does have good power, but has cost me $6,000 in repairs over 80k miles.
Nice take and accurate! We're loving all 3 Optimas and especially the 2017 SXL! Ready set...redesign the Passat!
Referring to the size of the trunk: "I put my bleached rubber gloves and duct tape in here." I love it!
"My TDI buyback is complete!"
I have the previous gen Passat 3.6. I can attest that the drivetrain is phenominal. Though its sad this generation got so soft. Also the 4motion on mine makes it so much better.
Goose Man, loved your review. Cheers.
The r line adds a bunch of much needed style, and it’s pretty nice looking.
My perfect daily. Comfort and fuel mpg of a passat. I personally get the apr tuning and a summer wheel and tire combo. Great daily! B5/b6 manual trans.
Great review but so bummed we couldn't visit Turbo. Considering this for my TDI Sportwagen trade in. Thanks again.
Thank you for the review. I love the American Passat. I owned the 1.8t and moved to the GT with the VR6 and I love it. Anytime you can get hands on with the Passat GT?
Great review, was considering this but not sure now because I'm not a fan of road noise.
Which would you say would be a better alternative?
The VW Passat was wooping all the midsize car's asses back in 1999-2004, when they introduced the 20v 1.8t and everybody was getting a chip "performance reflash". Seeing 250 lbs of torque at the crank in a 3100 lb car was pretty impressive at that time. And still seeing 30 mpg.
The road noise is because of the the H rated, Continental tires. If you go to Michelin Primacy MXM4 V rated tires than the handling improves and noise almost vanishes.
When i offloaded the mazda3 ,this is what i brought home ,got an awesome 27% manufacturer rebate which made it a sweet deal
5:43 is one of the moments that really makes me love your channel, lol.
@savagegeese can you please review a VW GTI, or Golf R been waiting forever.
This video is so calming😌
I had a '13 Passat and hated it after a year. Did you find the offset steering column annoying? it is offset to the right vs the drivers seat
Isn't that dead on center slop built into all German cars ? Its there so when you doing a buck thirty on the Autobahn you don't sneeze yourself into a ditch. Right Geese?
So, is this car worth getting if Volkswagen dealers in my area are offering if it $3k less brand new than a Honda Accord?
Good review with a lot of insights I've not heard elsewhere. The noise and the dead steering wheel in particular were standout observations. It sounds like this would be the perfect company car for a cement salesman or carpet pattern designer. I totally agree on the DSG- the one in my Mk6 GTI is amazing except on holding revs. I went from a manual to the DSG and would have a hard time giving up the versatility and function of the DSG for the pleasure of working the shift knob. The Manuel is just not as good most of the time. The DSG is perfect in traffic and in carving up the mountains. It holds boost. It doesn't wear me out in stop and go traffic. It is built like a tank. I can easily change the expensive-ass fluid ($150 every 40K miles).
As for what this might mean in the future - be still my beating heart! Does this mean more Vee Dubs might be making their way through your gizzard and out ontoTH-cam? I want to see and hear your thoughts on the GTI and possibly the R. Also the Jetta. I have to wonder why someone I know got rid of her very distinguished brown Jetta for a hideous white Camrolla.
+Candice Juliano Shooting Concrete salesman?! I gotta meet one of those people. Good points about your DSG. If I were in a shit traffic area Id be all over it. As far as future videos on VW have to see if they even have more cars, took me forever to get this one
I swear … you need to be offering creative editing classes to 90% of the TH-cam vloggers out there. Excellent, seamless work with great content and review. Not to be a dick but didn't miss Scott one bit.
Since you skipped the under the hood segment, we have no info about the car's reliability. VW has had sub-par build quality and reliability for years. How does it compare to the Accord, Camry, Mazda 6, etc?
Love your reviews and videos!
For US people, a Passat with 3.6 litter V6 is a mid size car !!! For me a Passat is too big to fit in my car park.
how do they see my 208 or a K car : a toy ?
We don't live in the same world
Madeline Monahan, sorry, but some people, here in the US, just simply like more space... not because we're all overweight.
...even my Czech wife insisted on buying a "mid-sized" SUV.
and trying to fit into a clown car (Yaris) isn't that fun when you're over 6' tall.
Madeline Monahan - you've summarized the US automotive market quite well.
Well even in Texas the Passat feels big for many parking garages. Of course some people also park much bigger Super Duty pickup trucks in these smaller garages too.
Where do u live? In europe the passat is vastly different
An American thinks 100 years is a long time and a European thinks 100 miles (160 kilometres) is a long way.
Berlin to Munich? That’s just LA to Phoenix. Berlin to Stalingrad? Ha! That only gets you to Kansas City.
One awesome thing about VW is you can change the steering profiles on a lot of their cars. I know my car can change between all the trim levels of my car, trim levels of audi/skodas and seat. You can also (i dont know about all cars) turn on torque steer compensation which uses the electric powersteering to counter act the torque steer. It's possible these settings may not have been set properly. OR you just didn't like it which is fair enough.
Yes that DSG is a sweetheart and if you read up on it you will see the functionality of a DSG has it all over the traditional automatic. I am talking QUICK and SMOOTH and all about getting it done and done right. I had one in my 13 TDI Passat. There is a sort of expensive maintenance interval at 40K with the DSG but if you’re like me you’re out of the car at 40-45K anyway. I am old school so I do not think that six cylinders should cost as much as they do in the modern day market but then you cannot get them on many cars so I think the supply and demand may come into play. I currently have a 1.8T Passat and although it will do 100mph on open highway I recently had my butt handed to me by a V8 Tundra (off the light no less). Not only did he hand me my butt he beat it so bad I am still trying to figure out how that heavy beast overcame gravity the way it did. Oh yeah it's that mean V8 right. On the flip side I can leave 4 cyl Hondas in the deep dust and that goes for Corollas and Camry’s.
Mick Taylor the Tundra driver must have been smart. The other day, I beat a bimmer 3 series off the light in my four cylinder 4Runner .
Mick: How do you do against 6 cylinder Hondas and Toyotas?
Great review, I just purchased a 2013 Passat SE and it looks like the 2017. I wish mine had the NAV
This is so much nicer than the 2020 Passat
Great video as always!
Are you gonna be doing a review for the new Volkswagen Atlas? I am really interested on your take on it. Great review as always!
This reminds me a lot of the 06-12 Ford Fusion.
Its about supporting the channel in my own way , mite work for his reviews. wild bill
Nice touch at 6:40 with the GT count sounds.
Sound mats solves the sound issues! I do it on all my cars. Inexpensive but som labor involved. I think it's fun to do and the satisfaction when you slam the door and it sounds like a BMW...
@savagegeese Thank you for the great car review, I feel you provide honest and thorough feedback, which brings me to a question. Im currently in the market for a family mid-size sedan that is both large enough for a family (including rear facing child seats) but also engaging and fun to drive. Ive poured over hours of videos and research on the segment, and two standouts would be as reviewed here, the VW Passat SEL Premium V6 or a Ford Fusion Sport with the EcoBoost V6 -- Any thoughts on which way to swing? I know you reviewed both
Does anyone know if VW resolved the carbon buildup issue on the back of the valves for their TSI engines? I heard this was a big issue recently.
I still have ownership nightmares of my 2000 Passat 2.0T (carbon build up was the least of my problems).
+Antoine Pageau As far I know what their current generation turbo Motors you better plan on Walnut blasting them every 30000 miles. I'm not sure about the V6 as they are not as common.
Say what you will about the design approach (i.e. stark minimalism and understated sophistication), but I personally wish more manufacturers would take cues or use a similar mindset/approach when designing their own products. V.A.G. vehicles tend to age exceptionally well, you look at their elegant, unobtrusive, and inoffensive designs, and they tend to last well past the expected lifetimes of the vehicles, where a lot of the more daring competition may appeal more greatly now, but tend to look far more obnoxious or out-of-place on the road as they age.
And, again, say what you will about VW reliability, but if you spec out your models smartly (stuff like the 1.8Ts instead of 2.0Ts, or 3.2 NAs instead of 3.0Ts, etc) and you'll find astonishingly dependable, solid vehicles.
How does the V6 Passat compare to the Maxima? Which do you prefer?
Best Car reviewer.
What are the emissions like?
Old Jetta was emitting more cancerous particles than 5.7 hemi pickup 😂 "Uber" engineering TDI for people who value MPG over their life and air quality. Also it sounds shitty.
Mark,
If I drove my 2018 Passat GT up there would you review it? Not that it would happen anytime soon.. just curious ;)
P.S. I love this review. Your affinity for V6 sedans matches mine very closely, nothing better than a good V6 pull on a country road.
Thanks!!
+savagegeese
Thanks for the detailed review. Germans are known for sportier handling, but maybe not this Passat. I was more interested in 1.8L Turbo even though it might be under-powered but mated with DCT, surely it cannot be deal breaker, is it?
If you have done 1.8L Turbo motor in the past or recent, how is that motor?
I simply love your reviews ! ! ! VERY DETAILED ! #InfortainmentSystem esp
What camera brand do you use? All your kids look great!
As far as a large car goes, I LOVE the shape and interior design of the VW's! I'd own one (and so would others in my family), if only they had better reliability. I hear of so many problems with the mechanical aspects of VW, I wouldn't touch one until they improve significantly.
I watch these videos for the in depth reviews and knowledge I can gain.
Mostly to see how many poker faced jokes I can catch. Love it. Rubber gloves bleach and duct tape.
Also, awesome pov driving. I could watch that for days.
Had a 2012 Passat and really liked that car. It just had to many issues and the main one was the Door locks stopped working. I looked it up and seems to be a VW issue everywhere. All I could think was if they put cheap locks on this what else is super cheap?? Traded it.
How come you haven't reviewed a mk7 golf gti yet 😳? Would love to hear your opinions on it before I make a purchase. Really worried about its reliability to be honest.
There just something about a audi/vw that brings me back. Cant pinpoint what it is. I suppose its just the way they drive and the throttle response but also fuel economy. Ive left twice to a different manufacturer but I always return.
Sadly letting go my 2014 GLI and wished I could get a 2019 version of it. Unfortunately not available! Considering the 2018 Passat GT as a replacement. Will lose the stick shift, but gain power with VR6. Thoughts would be appreciated, I’m really struggling.
(I tried the Civic Si and Subaru WRX, but not interested. Also, GTI not roomy enough (mainly because of of trunk space)
Thanks!
Wish they offered it in a wagon like in Europe. Would be sick to have a VR6 wagon.
They did back in 08'. You can find one or two used...the VR6 is the best engine VW has ever had.
"Wood veneer" isn't fake, and doesn't look fake. It's just thin cut, high quality wood. You see that in open grain wood surfaces in modern Volvos and Audis. The shiny stuff is probably just printed wood pattern, and not veneer at all.
Good review, though. Thank you.
Chubby escorts part. Hahaha god damn! Love your reviews.
Nice review, as always. Concise, efficient, and coherent. Hope your glutes heal soon.
Those outro sound effects reminded me of water in Runescape
Pull those glutes dude
Can we have a review on older cars?
Like older facelifts?
I have a mazda 3 2013 and i really need to know if it is a good car in comparison to the rest in the category.
Thanks
+Mohamed Youssef Going to be trying that this week.
Seems to be a generation behind the European version? That's not all a 'bad thing' because the latest Euro is saturated with parallel lines. Right across the dash and all round the body in a way. Perhaps the American version seen here will soon get a major update to match/catch up?
Nice vid. I didn't miss The Shoppe segment. It usually doesn't do much for me anyway.
That's my favorite part but I have been working on cars my whole life, so Different Strokes for different folks.
Lol at what was playing on the stereo!! Nice touch
Did you get a new camera? Different lens? Quality is very good!
+Balo657 The difference is some sunshine compared to past 6 reviews. Same gear. Lighting is massive
This was unusually interesting - great assessment I think (I'm a Golf owner). This makes me want to see your review (with Turbowski) of the possibly under-rated Jetta GLI - a little more tightly tuned, sports engine etc. the GTI in sedan form.
Wrong version. The Passat has to be bought as a station wagon. The limousine was always an after thought.
In Germany it is rarely bought as an limousine.
It's for families because mini vans were never a thing in Germany.
Only in the last 10 years this changed quite a bit.
agree, the steering ratio must be 16:1 or 17:1. good for lazy straight line cruising, terrible for taking turns. Engine and transmission is very good, immediate torque and fast shifts, not sluggish at all like most Japanese slushmatics that takes forever to spin up torque converter.
But DSG gearbox is unreliable and requires often, pricey fluid changes to keep it healthy