I feel I'm the only one to put out a negative review on this, I don't see how anyone can drive this and not see the overwhelming negatives about it. Glad you liked it, thanks!
@@PRNTestDrive Car reviews should look at all the negatives and positives of a vehicle to help consumers make the right choice. Now I know, I'm never getting this REFRESHED Passat. Thanks for the great video.
That's because they aren't reviewers, they're influencers. I actually had a bit of a rant about that when I filmed the interior of this but I decided to cut it after a second take.
An honest review. So many people don't call this out. That warning message on the dashboard is hilarious. I owned an 1985 Golf new. I believe at the time it was made in America (westmoreland?) Never again. In freezing cold heater core was destroyed after 40,000 miles and I had no money to replace. I froze in that winter in Indiana. I swear in those freezing days I never buy a VW again. I am true to my word. I bought a Corolla after that and my life has been all up since, Thank-you God and Toyota. Never a problem with Toyota or Honda. My guidance at best lease a VW, and if you want to buy, buy a Toyota.
I feel no one calls this out, everyone I've talked to in the press circuit has the same opinion but everyone's afraid to publicly say it, they fear getting blacklisted for being 'mean'. There's only one VW product I'd buy right now, new or old: The e-Golf. Everything else is seriously lackluster.
Fair review you give it what it deserves really not much to see or talk about.. That infotainment looks like it's from mid 2000 though.. Thanks for sharing mate that's an honest review
The infotainment is pretty terrible, worst part is that VW uses it across the board in North America, aside from the e-Golf that gets their updated system.
I just went from a 2015 TDI passat to a 2020, I still love the car but your review is spot on. I am disappointed with some of the lack of features. But at the same time I like the simplicity and how some things have not changed. Thanks for the great video
I know, right! I had to go back to re-watch the 2018 we did, and confirm everything that was lost. On top of the R-Line now deleting the front/rear parking sensors and the parking assist system, I noticed the decent LED front turn signals on the 2018 were dropped for 2020 for cheaper incandescent bulbs. At least the price went down, but I wouldn't recommend anyone buy this new. Get a 2017 at the latest and you'll have more features than this.
@@PRNTestDrive I just knew that you would ask me about calling you a MoopySwoopy head! I got that from the childrens cartoon Caillou,a Canadian cartoon right?...anyways,i forget the episode but Caillou was having a bad day and one of the other kids called him that.... My son and I still call each other that from time to time.
Before this video, I was always wondering why every car review always starts with something like this: For 20XX, ABC (mfg) has redesigned XYZ (car) from ground up. This is a brand new XYZ for 20XX.... Glad you stayed honest and pointed out that this is not a brand new design. Too much sugar coating going on in alot of these car reviews online....
Tell me about it, that's why I don't watch other car channels anymore, haven't for a while. Everyone's an influencer now, no one's an actual journalist.
I wish these errors went away randomly. I still need to follow up to see what the diagnosis was on this, someone mentioned it could be a faulty sensor which has affected other brands using the same OEM, in this case it might be Bosch.
I just had to sell my 13 SEL Premium, loved the car but kept breaking down for no reason. Spent thousands in repairs and myself, independent shop, 2 dealers, and a Facebook group couldn’t figure out my issue. But once the car started severely reducing engine power (EPC) I couldn’t justify keeping it. Volkswagen: great cars, stupidly complicated, and get mad if you look at them funny.
Sorry to hear that, but it seems to be a common trend with these cars. A lot of the people we know who've owned VWs have had problems that just can't be fixed.
I agree, that's the major problem with this. The European Passat looks so good, even the Chinese are getting a better version after VW China dropped this NMS garbage from their market.
This is another one of those cars that absolutely needs to die in this market. I'm genuinely surprised they even released a 2020 model after how much of a dump the Passat took in sales for 2019.
We did do a Showdown back in 2018 against the Accord with this. I felt that model year had more to offer against the competition, however I just drove the 2021 Hyundai Sonata hybrid.. that car blows this thing out of the water as a properly 'all-new' generation.
I had a 2018 GTI and it was fantastic to drive.. and junk.. 3 ECUs in 19k miles.. yikes! Keep up the awesome reviews.. and thank you for not selling out.
@@PRNTestDrive I've owned a lot of cars.. i think i have an automotive addiction issue.. lol.. my top worst manufacturers that consistently made crap were; anything GM made after 77. Anything Hyundai made before 03, anything post aircooled vw, and what might surprise some is post 2008 Toyota. Also hate Honda transmissions. I'm 39, I've owned 46 car's.. like i said.. addiction
Agreed, they had/have the potential to bring some great cars here but it’s almost like they don’t want to succeed. New Arteon facelift looks good, we don’t get the R or wagon. New Golf looks great, not coming here. Euro Passat is solid but we get this garbage.
With less features and reduced price, maybe this is a final facelift before the model is discontinued in the near future. With the VW electric line of vehicles coming soon, they might be preparing to bring the Passat's replacement at an advantage. Great review by the way, first one i've seen that isn't pandering to a demographic. Honest and true, that's how you do !
Nile, is there any reason at all to buy this Passat? VWs used to have above average interiors, solid construction, and an engaging driving experience. However, that seems to no longer be the case. For many people, the easy answer for which midsize non-luxury sedan to buy is Toyota Camry LE base: $30,100 Canadian MSRP (including freight & PDI) plus GST. Comfortable, efficient, likely reliable, easy to drive, and strong resale value. If a buyer isn't looking for any special driving experience, then it's the default best choice. If a buyer is looking for a more engaging driving experience, what would you recommend (beside the Honda Accord, if that was going to be your recommendation)?
Not quite sure why you're so wound up about it. Almost every manufacturer at some point comes out with "all new" cars that have only mild changes. It's a VW, you should expect upscale manufacturing, so everything will be shared between models and versions. Also not sure why you're so uptight about the removal of options. Normally car prices increase around the rate of inflation. If it had stayed the same from 2018 to 2020, it's price would've decreased by about 4.5% in real terms. The fact that it's actually decreased nominally means it's far more affordable than before. Of course you should expect less features. Do I like the car? No. Would I ever buy one? Certainly not one this basic. But the truth is, these cars are becoming far more affordable and better value for money, you should be appreciative of that.
VW's decisions are baffling. Killing off the Golf? No more wagons? Offering a Passat that has the same appeal of a 2013 Malibu? Why do they even bother? It's a recipe for failure.
I don't understand it either. This Passat is made in the US but seems to always cost VW too much to make so they have to cut back on features and quality every year. Meanwhile the 2021 Hyundai Sonata we just published today has to be imported on a boat from Korea and comes with everything we'd want in a mid-size sedan for just a bit more.
As I agree with Nile's pov, I have something to add. From my perspective, I would get it vs the Japanese because of the German feel to it. The Japanese are too soft for my taste, I would prefer the German roughness. Yeah, now let the xxx jokes start 😂
This one's pretty soft overall. I drove the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid right after this, same size segment. I found the Passat was a tiny bit better for road feel/ride, but everything else about the Hyundai was exponentially better.
i so agree i have the 2013 model . Its really no a good quality car. it has multiple electronic issues for low miles. I bought it new and now its just hit 50k miles and cruise control is broken along with brakes gone in 15k miles. I wouldn't buy VW ever.
I spot a couple first gen Intrepids on the road every month or so, there was a seriously nice one in town a few weeks back in red. It'll always be the car that got away.
I needed someone to call VW out for this. Great review.
I feel I'm the only one to put out a negative review on this, I don't see how anyone can drive this and not see the overwhelming negatives about it. Glad you liked it, thanks!
@@PRNTestDrive Car reviews should look at all the negatives and positives of a vehicle to help consumers make the right choice. Now I know, I'm never getting this REFRESHED Passat. Thanks for the great video.
PRN_TestDrive I enjoyed the fact you pointed out the shortcomings because a lot of other car reviews have this annoying jovial tone about everything
That's because they aren't reviewers, they're influencers. I actually had a bit of a rant about that when I filmed the interior of this but I decided to cut it after a second take.
An honest review. So many people don't call this out.
That warning message on the dashboard is hilarious. I owned an 1985 Golf new. I believe at the time it was made in America (westmoreland?) Never again. In freezing cold heater core was destroyed after 40,000 miles and I had no money to replace. I froze in that winter in Indiana. I swear in those freezing days I never buy a VW again. I am true to my word. I bought a Corolla after that and my life has been all up since, Thank-you God and Toyota. Never a problem with Toyota or Honda. My guidance at best lease a VW, and if you want to buy, buy a Toyota.
I feel no one calls this out, everyone I've talked to in the press circuit has the same opinion but everyone's afraid to publicly say it, they fear getting blacklisted for being 'mean'. There's only one VW product I'd buy right now, new or old: The e-Golf. Everything else is seriously lackluster.
Excellent critical review!
Glad you think so, I wanted to be impressed with this car but my disappointment was immeasurable.
yes...no hold barred...
They spared no expense to cut as much cost as possible 😂
Fair review you give it what it deserves really not much to see or talk about.. That infotainment looks like it's from mid 2000 though.. Thanks for sharing mate that's an honest review
The infotainment is pretty terrible, worst part is that VW uses it across the board in North America, aside from the e-Golf that gets their updated system.
I just went from a 2015 TDI passat to a 2020, I still love the car but your review is spot on. I am disappointed with some of the lack of features. But at the same time I like the simplicity and how some things have not changed. Thanks for the great video
Thanks for sharing!
I don't like when features are systematically stripped from my pig
I know, right! I had to go back to re-watch the 2018 we did, and confirm everything that was lost. On top of the R-Line now deleting the front/rear parking sensors and the parking assist system, I noticed the decent LED front turn signals on the 2018 were dropped for 2020 for cheaper incandescent bulbs. At least the price went down, but I wouldn't recommend anyone buy this new. Get a 2017 at the latest and you'll have more features than this.
I called you a MoopySwoopy head but I like you so I stuck around til the end! 😁
😂
@@PRNTestDrive I just knew that you would ask me about calling you a MoopySwoopy head!
I got that from the childrens cartoon Caillou,a Canadian cartoon right?...anyways,i forget the episode but Caillou was having a bad day and one of the other kids called him that.... My son and I still call each other that from time to time.
Hahaha! My daughter watches that from time to time, I honestly try to tune it out 😂 I'm more on the up-and-up with Peppa Pig lingo 🤣
Before this video, I was always wondering why every car review always starts with something like this: For 20XX, ABC (mfg) has redesigned XYZ (car) from ground up. This is a brand new XYZ for 20XX.... Glad you stayed honest and pointed out that this is not a brand new design. Too much sugar coating going on in alot of these car reviews online....
Tell me about it, that's why I don't watch other car channels anymore, haven't for a while. Everyone's an influencer now, no one's an actual journalist.
I have a 2013 passat, and my gauge cluster is better. lol. I also get random errors that will just "go away" if you just wait long enough.
Greg Hines lol
I wish these errors went away randomly. I still need to follow up to see what the diagnosis was on this, someone mentioned it could be a faulty sensor which has affected other brands using the same OEM, in this case it might be Bosch.
I just had to sell my 13 SEL Premium, loved the car but kept breaking down for no reason. Spent thousands in repairs and myself, independent shop, 2 dealers, and a Facebook group couldn’t figure out my issue. But once the car started severely reducing engine power (EPC) I couldn’t justify keeping it. Volkswagen: great cars, stupidly complicated, and get mad if you look at them funny.
Sorry to hear that, but it seems to be a common trend with these cars. A lot of the people we know who've owned VWs have had problems that just can't be fixed.
It's just barely a good rental car...smh
Auto manufacturers really should stop the practice of not allowing their best to be sold in the U.S. market.
I agree, that's the major problem with this. The European Passat looks so good, even the Chinese are getting a better version after VW China dropped this NMS garbage from their market.
One wonders why this car even exists anymore, and if it will continue to do so
This is another one of those cars that absolutely needs to die in this market. I'm genuinely surprised they even released a 2020 model after how much of a dump the Passat took in sales for 2019.
This car legit could compete with the Accord & Camary but they seemed to have blown it big time!
We did do a Showdown back in 2018 against the Accord with this. I felt that model year had more to offer against the competition, however I just drove the 2021 Hyundai Sonata hybrid.. that car blows this thing out of the water as a properly 'all-new' generation.
A rental car, nothing more.
The interior seems so boring and neutral. Nothing special and mostly awful plastic trim materials.
So much plastic. My daughter has a red Fisher-Price car in the garage still and the interior feels less plastic than this 😂
I had a 2018 GTI and it was fantastic to drive.. and junk.. 3 ECUs in 19k miles.. yikes!
Keep up the awesome reviews.. and thank you for not selling out.
Darn! That's a lot of problems for a relatively low-mileage vehicle.
@@PRNTestDrive I've owned a lot of cars.. i think i have an automotive addiction issue.. lol.. my top worst manufacturers that consistently made crap were; anything GM made after 77. Anything Hyundai made before 03, anything post aircooled vw, and what might surprise some is post 2008 Toyota. Also hate Honda transmissions. I'm 39, I've owned 46 car's.. like i said.. addiction
Looks terrible. Sad the direction VW is going in NA :/
Agreed, they had/have the potential to bring some great cars here but it’s almost like they don’t want to succeed. New Arteon facelift looks good, we don’t get the R or wagon. New Golf looks great, not coming here. Euro Passat is solid but we get this garbage.
With less features and reduced price, maybe this is a final facelift before the model is discontinued in the near future. With the VW electric line of vehicles coming soon, they might be preparing to bring the Passat's replacement at an advantage. Great review by the way, first one i've seen that isn't pandering to a demographic. Honest and true, that's how you do !
Fair enough!
Nile, is there any reason at all to buy this Passat?
VWs used to have above average interiors, solid construction, and an engaging driving experience. However, that seems to no longer be the case.
For many people, the easy answer for which midsize non-luxury sedan to buy is Toyota Camry LE base: $30,100 Canadian MSRP (including freight & PDI) plus GST. Comfortable, efficient, likely reliable, easy to drive, and strong resale value. If a buyer isn't looking for any special driving experience, then it's the default best choice.
If a buyer is looking for a more engaging driving experience, what would you recommend (beside the Honda Accord, if that was going to be your recommendation)?
No reason to buy it, 4 years later even as a used vehicle.
@@PRNTestDrive Nile, are you answering my questions today from 2, 3, 4 years ago? Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend!
I love passat but you're right I don't know how they think there at vw
It'll likely be phased out in North America in the next couple years.
That plastiwood yells grandma car all day
They should just make the interior 'wood' like a set of Lego and make the customer apply the fake wood stickers themselves 😂
this looks like a bigger golf 6
Pretty much, right? They just keep re-using the same designs. Hell this looks a lot like my friend's 2010 Jetta.
VW insulted North American buyers with the stripped down NA-only Passat thinking we were too dumb and cheap to appreciate their euro Passat.
That seems to be VWs philosophy across their lineup, we often get the cheapend versions here.
Not quite sure why you're so wound up about it. Almost every manufacturer at some point comes out with "all new" cars that have only mild changes. It's a VW, you should expect upscale manufacturing, so everything will be shared between models and versions. Also not sure why you're so uptight about the removal of options. Normally car prices increase around the rate of inflation. If it had stayed the same from 2018 to 2020, it's price would've decreased by about 4.5% in real terms. The fact that it's actually decreased nominally means it's far more affordable than before. Of course you should expect less features. Do I like the car? No. Would I ever buy one? Certainly not one this basic. But the truth is, these cars are becoming far more affordable and better value for money, you should be appreciative of that.
Fair enough
VW's decisions are baffling. Killing off the Golf? No more wagons? Offering a Passat that has the same appeal of a 2013 Malibu? Why do they even bother? It's a recipe for failure.
I don't understand it either. This Passat is made in the US but seems to always cost VW too much to make so they have to cut back on features and quality every year. Meanwhile the 2021 Hyundai Sonata we just published today has to be imported on a boat from Korea and comes with everything we'd want in a mid-size sedan for just a bit more.
Thanks for Great video!! ( and hello, fr Instagram .....arffman_motors )
Glad you liked it, thanks! I'm sure you never have to see a car this terrible where you are, the Euro Passat looks so nice!
As I agree with Nile's pov, I have something to add. From my perspective, I would get it vs the Japanese because of the German feel to it. The Japanese are too soft for my taste, I would prefer the German roughness.
Yeah, now let the xxx jokes start 😂
This one's pretty soft overall. I drove the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid right after this, same size segment. I found the Passat was a tiny bit better for road feel/ride, but everything else about the Hyundai was exponentially better.
i so agree i have the 2013 model . Its really no a good quality car. it has multiple electronic issues for low miles. I bought it new and now its just hit 50k miles and cruise control is broken along with brakes gone in 15k miles. I wouldn't buy VW ever.
That's really bad for 7 years if you're only 50k miles into the ownership and having that many problems.
In case you were still interested in an LH project car:
www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camions/ville-de-montreal/chrysler-concorde-2001/1524924677
Please don't show that to me, my wife will kill me 😂
@@PRNTestDrive LOL 🤣 I totally understand that challenge!
I spot a couple first gen Intrepids on the road every month or so, there was a seriously nice one in town a few weeks back in red. It'll always be the car that got away.
@@PRNTestDrive I feel the same way about the Eagle Vision TSi; they are a rare find these days.
That’s a car I’d love to see in person again.