Skip advert
Advertisement

Volkswagen Passat (2014-2021) review

The VW Passat has classy looks and a premium cabin that set it apart from the family car norm

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Pros
  • Luxurious feel
  • Strong engines
  • Spacious interior
Cons
  • Drab-looking base models
  • Not much fun to drive
  • Expensive at top of the range
Find your Volkswagen Passat
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

This is an archived review of the 2015-2021 Volkswagen Passat. If you are interested in information about the latest Volkswagen Passat, or news about the latest Volkswagen models, please follow the links provided.

Volkswagen knows that the only way is upmarket for conventional family cars. The class is dying out, so it needs to focus on rivals such as BMW and Mercedes, rather than Ford and Vauxhall. Luckily for VW, this Passat is a more convincing alternative to these executive cars than ever. It's got the quality, refinement and technology to compete with the best, even if it lacks the badge prestige.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Passat has plenty of advanced tech, including the latest infotainment and active safety options, while the GTE uses Volkswagens’ clever hybrid tech to minimise emissions and appeal to fleet users. Although, most buyers will still be best-served by the smooth, economical diesel models.

About the Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat saloon and Passat Estate are the longest lived models in the VW line-up. They've been for sale since 1972, so pre-date the Golf by a couple of years, while the current B8-generation version has been on sale since 2015, with recived a mid-life facelift in 2019.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Leaf

2021 Nissan

Leaf

23,861 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £11,800
View Leaf
Golf GTI

2024 Volkswagen

Golf GTI

12,996 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £28,600
View Golf GTI
3008

2020 Peugeot

3008

38,049 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £15,900
View 3008
Ioniq hybrid

2021 Hyundai

Ioniq hybrid

31,380 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £14,700
View Ioniq hybrid

The big change when the current Passat arrived was a move upmarket compared to what we're used to. It was a planned step, with VW moving away from the family car sector and fixing its sights on the compact executive saloon class instead. As it sits in this middle ground between the two sectors, it has a number of rivals that it needs to take on.

Other models in the family car class have taken a leaf from the Passat's book by moving upmarket, so cars like the Vauxhall Insignia, Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 508, Mazda 6 and Skoda Superb have all raised their game. All these rivals offer a mix of hatchback or saloon bodies, and are offered as estate cars too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

At the other end of the spectrum are the executive models that the Passat is designed to emulate. This includes the big three Germans in the shape of the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, while the Jaguar XE, Alfa Romeo Giulia and Lexus IS are also in the running. In reality, the Passat gets close to these cars, but isn't quite at the same level.

The exterior looks aren't very inspirational, but the Passat has moved up a notch in terms of luxury, which is reflected even more strongly inside, where it feels a cut above the Ford Mondeo. The Passat is roomier than most rivals, despite being no larger than the previous-generation model, and it rides and handles better than ever, thanks to its lighter platform architecture.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

But if you want an upmarket, spacious and well equipped family car, then the VW Passat fits the bill. VW offers SE, SE Nav, SEL and R-Line, along with the Alltrack and GTE models; prices start from around £25,000.

Power comes from 1.6 TDI and 2.0 TDI diesels, or VW's 2.0-litre TSI and 1.5 TSI EVO petrol units with cylinder shut-off tech. Six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG auto gearboxes are available, with the latter fitted as standard on higher-spec models. The 4Motion four-wheel drive system is standard with the 190PS and 240PS diesel units in R-Line trim and also on Alltrack models.

There's also the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE, which features a petrol engine combined with an electric motor and battery pack. It’s relatively expensive to buy but low emissions mean it's attractive to company car users – you can read our review of this version here.

The Passat uses the VW Group's MQB platform and is one of the larger models to do so. As a result, it's relatively light, so the Passat handles tidily – although it's geared more towards comfort than performance.

As mentioned, the Passat Estate is also available, and it carries a premium of around £1,500 over the saloon. It's available in all the same trims as the saloon, including GTE, but also comes in Passat Alltrack spec, with raised suspension, 4Motion all-wheel drive and with SUV styling additions. It's a great alternative for buyers who don't want an SUV but appreciate their abilities and space.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,905 off RRP*Used from £12,890
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £4,999 off RRP*Used from £15,751
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £25,015Avg. savings £2,749 off RRP*Used from £12,300
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,235Avg. savings £3,735 off RRP*Used from £20,459
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Audi TT back from the dead! Icon set to return as electric sports car
Audi TT design render (watermarked)

Audi TT back from the dead! Icon set to return as electric sports car

Iconic coupe could be resurrected for the electric era, and this is what it could look like
News
21 Mar 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Roomy Renault Scenic EV at the best price we've seen
Renault Scenic UK - front

Car Deal of the Day: Roomy Renault Scenic EV at the best price we've seen

The Scenic of the 2020s is an excellent electric family SUV. It’s our Deal of the Day for 18 March.
News
18 Mar 2025
Skoda Elroq review
Skoda Elroq - front

Skoda Elroq review

The Skoda Elroq is even more appealing than the bigger Skoda Enyaq, and just as brilliant
In-depth reviews
18 Mar 2025