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

4 Series Gran Coupe

2025 BMW

4 Series Gran Coupe

23,091 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £30,990
View 4 Series Gran Coupe
GLC

2019 Mercedes

GLC

86,000 milesAutomaticDiesel3.0L

Cash £19,500
View GLC
Captur

2019 Renault

Captur

56,268 milesManualPetrol0.9L

Cash £7,800
View Captur
Niro

2022 Kia

Niro

5,967 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £20,999
View Niro

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

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,158 off RRP*
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,474 off RRP*Used from £15,972
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,200
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand
Cyberster Black - front 3/4

New MG Cyberster Black is a dark sign of things to come for the brand

MG boss thinks special editions like this might be the ticket to keeping up demand for the electric sports car
News
10 Jul 2025
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle
Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona - front end

Vauxhall Mokka vs Hyundai Kona: small hybrid SUVs in a big battle

Hybrid newcomers slug it out for family buyers’ hearts and minds
Car group tests
12 Jul 2025