Page Loading

2015 Volkswagen Passat

2015 Volkswagen Passat

Select another year: 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
Select another model: BeetleBeetleCCe-GolfEosGolfGolf GTIGolf RGolf SportWagenJettaPassatTiguanTouareg

Overview

The Volkswagen Passat performs exceptionally well among German Midsize Cars, securing the top half position. It also holds a strong standing in terms of resale value, ranking 8th out of 13. However, when compared to the broader category of Midsize Cars, it falls slightly behind, coming in 9th out of 13. Despite this, the Passat still maintains a respectable position in the market, demonstrating its overall quality and value.

15791408996_f83f47c7f8_z

Overview (Overall Grade After 8 Categories: B)

So, what is Volkswagen doing in the most competitive automotive segment in this country?

The truth is that VW has always been there. The Passat served as the brand's entry in the mid-sized family sedan segment even before it was defined. The problem was that it always had a different kind of buyer in mind - more discriminative, preferring premium grade products than mainstream ones and feeding off of European snobbery.

Forty years ago, the first Passat arrived in America. Volkswagen of America called it the Dasher. Though not the replacement for the beloved Beetle, it did serve as the company's first front-drive, water-cooled vehicle sold in the States. It began life as a hatchback - in two- or four-doors, eventually sprouting a wagon in the mix. Then, the Quantum arrived - the next generation Passat - by 1979/80 with its first four-door sedan offering. It took VW a bit upscale, but that is if you try to get it closer to the Audi Fox/4000 of the time.

The Passat name finally arrived in the form of an aerodynamic family sedan with a slightly higher price tag. It certainly looked the part - premium European aspirations, premium European drivetrains and so forth. However, quality problems dogged its success at the onset of the 1990s. Not exactly what we wanted, but Volkswagen still offered it nonetheless.

Throughout the 2000s until the release of the latest Passat, Volkswagen delivered on its premium promise for the Passat. These Passats were good - better, if you ask VW enthusiasts. Though some wondered if VWOA forgot about how they became successful in the first place - competitive, affordable cars.

By 2013, the new Passat arrived for our consumption. It was built for us on the European platform, though wider and a bit more accommodating for American families. There were several complaints - all leading to one conclusion: It's not a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Hyundai Sonata or Ford Fusion.

Isn't the point of selling cars is to try to be distinctive in its segment?

There is something that VW can distinguish the Passat from others in its segment. It is the only model offering a diesel engine.

It is a big deal. Some mid-sized sedans only offer a four-cylinder engine. Others have hybrid electric drivelines. A few have optional V6s - including the Passat. But, VW dares to offer the diesel. Some might say that is the way to go, if you are looking for high fuel economy, long fuel range and ready torque when needed. The TDI is nothing new to the Passat - they offered diesels in America going back to the Dasher.

So, we ask whether the diesel makes a difference in this segment. Also, we ask whether the Passat is the right car - offering the diesel as its trump card - to look at in the face of the Camry, Accord, Altima, Sonata, Fusion and so forth.

For our review, we not only got a 2015 Volkswagen Passat SEL - we got one with the TDI diesel engine option. In the cold and snow of Minnesota, we put the Passat TDI to the test - winter blend fuel and all.

15629902547_2778b9d2d8_z

What We Loved about the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
• Great rear seat room
• The TDI diesel engine and DSG transmission
• Fuel economy from the diesel

What We Didn't Love about the 2015 Volkswagen Passat
• Bland design - for a Volkswagen
• Infotainment system
• Lack of advanced active safety features and no all-wheel drive option

Exterior View (7 out of 10)

The Passat's design has been a point of contention among brand enthusiasts. Some would have liked to have the current generation global Passat in its place, but Volkswagen had a plan. To regain the North American market, it had to be...well..."American." This is a familiar tactic used by General Motors. What used to be an Opel Vectra became the Saturn L-Series. By doing so, they fleshed out the platform to accommodate American bodies and tune their suspensions for American roads. VW did exactly that to this Passat - take the global platform, stretch it, made it simpler for American eyes to digest, though retaining familiar VW design tenets.

The result is a familiar Volkswagen that is purely big-boned. Though there are some familiar lines, creases and other design elements that point to the VW badge up front, the Passat does not elicit a level of excitement that engage brand enthusiasts. It is rather plain, but very functional. Wide opening doors and a huge trunk lid are two things you rarely find on other Volkswagens. If you had no history with the brand, and want to be anonymous, the Passat works in that fashion.

15675784848_77b8502818_z

Interior Comfort, Quality and Overall Ease of Use (8 out of 10)

Step inside to a very spacious cabin. Front seat occupants have plenty of space to stretch out, unless you are tall and have the moonroof above you. Finding a suitable position behind the wheel will take some time, but you will find a competent place to operate the big Passat. Seats are on the small side, which is perfect for averaged sized drivers. Rear seat passengers benefit from a comfortable bench and loads of rear seat room. One might argue that the rear seat is more comfortable than a Toyota Camry - the one car the Passat has ambitions to compete against.

Given the design leap on the current Golf and GTI, one would be disappointed by an older dashboard design and older switchgear on the Passat. However, it works very well. It helps to the advantage of Volkswagen owners to use familiar stalks for the wipers, cruise control and switches for the lights, climate control and so forth. There are some logic issues regarding the infotainment system. When starting up, there is a lag in Bluetooth connection and initial phone pairing is not as clean and easy it should be. The steering wheel seems too thin for being a VW. Yet, instrumentation is familiar and logical to work with.

If there are two positive points to the Passat's cabin, it would be the Fender audio system and the gear selector for the DSG transmission. Fender's nine speakers emit amazing tones throughout the cabin, aided by a subwoofer that layers in the bass perfectly. Also, the short throw of the DSG lever is something for the enthusiasts to enjoy. It makes you wish for a manual lever instead.

Technology (7 out of 10)

Volkswagen introduced CarNet this year as their answer to General Motors' OnStar and Hyundai's BlueLink. It offers accident reporting, connection to roadside assistance, parental settings for younger drivers, remote vehicle access, navigation assistance and vehicle diagnostics. You can monitor your vehicle using a mobile app for better control of the Passat.

However, the technology side of the Passat is let down with an outdated infotainment system. The Passat has everything we need - navigation, SiriusXM radio and Bluetooth connectivity, the execution is lacking. We found lags in Bluetooth connection to our smart phone affecting the use of the audio system. The new Volkswagen Golf and GTI offers a new generation infotainment system that addresses these problems, along with Car-Net integration.

Fuel Economy (10 out of 10)

When you drive a diesel, you expect high fuel economy and a long range on ultra-low sulfur fuel. The Passat TDI averaged 42.5MPG even in cold temperatures that would challenge fuel weight. There is no question that you will find the TDI powered Passat a great alternative against gasoline models.

Predicted Reliability and Initial Quality Ratings (8 out of 10)
For 2013, the Passat received from J.D. Power their Automotive Performance Award for Mid-Sized cars based on the APEAL survey. However, initial quality and reliability ratings have been average or below, as rated by J.D. Power.

Safety (9 out of 10)

On Volkswagen's top sedan, there was a lack of active safety features on this model - save for the rear view camera. However, that did not keep the Passat from earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Passat an overall rating of five stars.

15629265759_6a9b521838_z

Performance (8 out of 10)

For 2015, a new 2.0liter version of the turbocharged diesel engine that has been the most desirable power source for Volkswagen makes its debut. While it only has 150 horsepower on tap, it will be the 236 pound-feet of torque that will win you over. When you step on the accelerator, it pulls away just like a V6. Plus, it is quiet and clean. That old diesel clanging no longer exists, while exhaust emissions have been cut to meet a 50-state standard. Power goes to the front wheels through one of the better transmission choices on any VW - the DSG. It is a solid gearbox, however, it would actually be more fun if it had either a Sport mode and/or paddle shifters. Only a few mid-sized family sedans would say that it had a dual clutch transmission with true manual operation.

The TDI is not the only engine available on the Passat. The standard engine is a 1.8liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower on tap. You can also get a 280-horsepower 3.6liter V6 on the SEL Premium model.

Recent Volkswagens are known for having a sporting feel. The Passat was designed to offer comfort for passengers above all else. This is cause for debate pitting enthusiasts against family sedan consumers. The driving experience of the Passat tells the tale of comfort above all, considering how smooth and supple the big VW rode. Not that it is a bad thing, but that depends on which kind of consumer you are. Clearly, enthusiasts will be put off by the supple roll and lean in the curves and the light steering system. There is an ample turning radius, but the light steering action actually will respond quite quick, despite being a bit disconnected.

Braking is very good. Stops are sharp and exact in normal and panic situations. This leads to the traction control system - something of a hit-and-miss with Volkswagen products. On the Passat, it works quite well to provide necessary traction to the right wheels. I would love to see VW provide a suite of active safety features and possibly its 4Motion all-wheel drive system on its top trim of the Passat - if not all models.

Pricing and Value for The Money (7 out of 10)

The big Passat starts off with a basic S model with the 1.8liter TSI turbocharged engine starts at $22,120. My TDI powered SEL top range example came to $34,405. As high-end mid-sized family sedans reach further into premium sports compact sedan pricing territory, one could argue that the diesel engine alone is worth the price of admission. However, you can still get the same TDI driveline in the less expensive SE trim, starting at $26,825.

15195115184_6586232ac3_z

"The Final Numbers" and the Competition (64 points out of 80: 80%)

The Passat is up against some pretty stiff competition. The aforementioned Camry, Fusion, Sonata, Accord and Altima lead the pack in this class. However, consumers would also shop the Passat against the Kia Optima, Chrysler 200, Mazda6 and Chevrolet Malibu. To reiterate the point: None of these competitors have a diesel engine option available to compare against the Passat.

The Volkswagen Passat represents the modern diesel big sedan. It also represents the only diesel fueled option among family mid-sized sedans. It all seems to come together as we find alternatives to the good ol' gasoline fueled internal combustion engine. We could argue between hybrid drivelines, plug-in electric propulsion or diesel fuel, but it just seems fair and logical that diesel offers a longer fuel range, despite the higher price fueling up per pump.

As for the Passat competing in a highly competitive and crowded field, Volkswagen brings a lot to the table. It has the cabin space and smooth ride to satisfy a lot of families and businessfolk. What it needs is more refinement to excel in this field. Perhaps in a mid-cycle refresh we could see some improvements in the Passat - starting with the infotainment system and the switchgear.

It takes a good sedan to bring in the customers. The Passat has some of that equation down. The dealmaker has to be the TDI diesel. That alone should win family sedan consumers over.

2015 Volkswagen Passat Trims

Trim Engine Drive Train MSRP
1.8T S 4dr Sedan 5M 4 Cylinder FWD 21340
1.8T S 4dr Sedan 6A 4 Cylinder FWD 22440
1.8T Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 24375
1.8T Limited Edition 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 23995
1.8T S 4dr Sedan 5M PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 21340
1.8T S 4dr Sedan 6A PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 22440
1.8T Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 24375
1.8T Limited Edition 4dr Sedan PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 23995
1.8T SE 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 26280
1.8T SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof and Navigation 4 Cylinder FWD 28105
1.8T Sport 4dr Sedan 5M 4 Cylinder FWD 26915
1.8T Sport 4dr Sedan 6A 4 Cylinder FWD 28115
1.8T SE 4dr Sedan PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 26280
1.8T SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof and Navigation PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 28105
1.8T Sport 4dr Sedan 5M PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 26915
1.8T Sport 4dr Sedan 6A PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 28115
2.0L TDI SE 4dr Sedan 6M 4 Cylinder FWD 27095
2.0L TDI SE 4dr Sedan 6A w/Sunroof 4 Cylinder FWD 29125
2.0L TDI SE 4dr Sedan 6A w/Sunroof and Navigation 4 Cylinder FWD 30850
3.6L V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan 6 Cylinder FWD 35995
1.8T SEL Premium 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 31790
1.8T SEL Premium 4dr Sedan PZEV 4 Cylinder FWD 31790
2.0L TDI SEL Premium 4dr Sedan 4 Cylinder FWD 33925

Volkswagen Passat Cars for Sale

Similar Cars for Sale