Specifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24 | 36 | 28 | 9.8 | 6.53 | 8.4 |
| 2021 | 24 | 36 | 28 | 9.8 | 6.53 | 8.4 |
| 2020 | 23 | 34 | 27 | 10.23 | 6.92 | 8.71 |
| 2019 | 25 | 36 | 29 | 9.41 | 6.53 | 8.11 |
| 2018 | 19 | 28 | 22 | 12.38 | 8.4 | 10.69 |
| 2017 | 20 | 28 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.4 | 10.23 |
| 2016 | 20 | 28 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.4 | 10.23 |
| 2015 | 20 | 28 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.4 | 10.23 |
| 2014 | 20 | 28 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.4 | 10.23 |
| 2013 | 20 | 28 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.4 | 10.23 |
| 2012 | 20 | 28 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.4 | 10.23 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Engine code | Transmission | Drivetrain | Engine configuration | engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Regular | — | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 4, Displacement: 2.0, Fuel type: Regular |
| 2021 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Regular | — | Automatic (S6) | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 4, Displacement: 2.0, Fuel type: Regular |
| 2020 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Regular | — | Automatic | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 4, Displacement: 2.0, Fuel type: Regular |
| 2019 | sedan | 4 | 2.0 | Regular | — | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 4, Displacement: 2.0, Fuel type: Regular |
| 2018 | sedan | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | FSI | Automatic (AM-S6) | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | FSI | Cylinders: 6, Displacement: 3.6, Fuel type: Regular, Engine configuration: FSI |
| 2017 | sedan | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | TSI | Automatic (AM-S6) | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive | TSI | Cylinders: 6, Displacement: 3.6, Fuel type: Regular, Engine configuration: TSI |
| 2016 | sedan | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | — | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 6, Displacement: 3.6, Fuel type: Regular |
| 2015 | sedan | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 6, Displacement: 3.6, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2014 | sedan | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 6, Displacement: 3.6, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2013 | sedan | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | — | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 6, Displacement: 3.6, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2012 | sedan | 6 | 3.6 | Premium | — | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | Cylinders: 6, Displacement: 3.6, Fuel type: Premium |
| 2011 | sedan | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | pricing | Trim | Note | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | Trim: R-Line | R-Line | — | — |
| 2020 | Trim: SEL, Note: HD Radio, Bluetooth , Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input, MP3 Player | SEL | HD Radio, Bluetooth , Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input, MP3 Player | — |
| 2019 | Base price: $25,295, Trim: SE R-Line | SE R-Line | — | $25,295 |
| 2018 | Base price: $26,295, Trim: S, R-Line | S, R-Line | — | $26,295 |
| 2017 | Base price: $30,995, Trim: SE | SE | — | $30,995 |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Keyless ignition | Seat rows | GVWR | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | bodyAndInterior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | — | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 |
| 2021 | 5 | — | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 110.4 | 17 | 17 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2020 | 5 | — | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 110.4 | 18 | 18 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2019 | 5 | — | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 110 | 17 | 17 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 110.4 | 18 | 18 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | Optional | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 110.4 | 19 | 19 | Keyless ignition: Optional, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 |
| 2016 | — | 4 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | 4 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | 4 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | 4 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | 4 | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | blindSpotMonitoring | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | rearAeb | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | pedestrianAeb | parkAssist | nhtsaSafetyRatings | adas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2022 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 3, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: standard, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, rearCrossTrafficAlert: standard, rearAeb: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2021 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 2021 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD Later Release | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | Overall rating: 4, Frontal crash: 3, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD Later Release | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: standard, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, pedestrianAeb: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, rearCrossTrafficAlert: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2020 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2020 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2020 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: standard, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, pedestrianAeb: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, rearCrossTrafficAlert: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2019 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2019 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | — | standard | standard | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2019 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: standard, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, rearCamera: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2018 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | standard | standard | — | standard | optional | standard | optional | optional | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | — | optional | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | abs: standard, esc: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: optional, blindSpotMonitoring: optional, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, parkAssist: optional, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | optional | optional | standard | — | — | standard | standard | — | optional | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: optional, laneDepartureWarning: optional, rearCamera: standard, parkAssist: optional, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2016 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 4, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2016 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | tpms: standard |
| 2015 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2015 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2015 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | tpms: standard |
| 2014 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2014 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2014 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | tpms: standard |
| 2013 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2013 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2013 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | tpms: standard |
| 2012 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2012 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | — | — | — | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Overall rating: 5, Frontal crash: 5, Side crash: 5, Rollover: 4, Rated vehicle: 2012 Volkswagen Passat 4 DR FWD | tpms: standard |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Model year reports
2022
NewestThe 2022 Volkswagen Passat offers average reliability, but its condition and maintenance history are paramount.
2021
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offers average reliability, but a thorough pre-purchase inspection is crucial, focusing on the **rear braking system** and **driver assistance features**.
2020
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat offers average reliability, with the **airbag system** being the primary ownership concern.
2019
The 2019 Volkswagen Passat offers a spacious interior and strong safety scores, but its 'Below Average' reliability verdict, driven by significant electrical and powertrain concerns, demands careful inspection and realistic ownership expectations.
2018
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat presents a below-average reliability outlook, primarily due to significant concerns with its **service brakes**.
2017
The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is a spacious sedan with a good overall safety rating, but its "Below Average" reliability verdict and significant concerns with the **airbag** and **braking systems** make it a cautious used car purchase.
2016
Approach the 2016 Volkswagen Passat with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant safety concerns within the airbag system, specifically the clock spring.
2015
The 2015 Volkswagen Passat is a capable sedan, but its below-average reliability, particularly concerning the airbag system, warrants careful consideration.
2014
The 2014 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize sedan with a "Below Average" reliability verdict, primarily due to significant **airbag system** issues and a high volume of engine and electrical complaints.
2013
The 2013 Volkswagen Passat is considered below average for reliability, with significant concerns around its airbag system.
2012
The 2012 Volkswagen Passat presents a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant concerns with its airbag system and electrical components.
2011
Approach the 2011 Volkswagen Passat with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant recurring **engine** issues, particularly timing chain and valve problems, which can lead to stalling and costly repairs.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Volkswagen Passat?
Carfocal currently has 12 published Passat reports, covering 2011 through 2022. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2022 Volkswagen Passat offers average reliability, but its condition and maintenance history are paramount.
Published year coverage: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.
Is the Volkswagen Passat reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Volkswagen Passat. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2022 volkswagen passat offers average reliability, but its condition and maintenance history are paramount. and the 2022 volkswagen passat's value on the used market is directly tied to its average reliability. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
12 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Volkswagen Passat?
Across Carfocal's published Passat guides, recurring problem areas include Steering System, Brake System, and Engine. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Steering System, Brake System, and Engine.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 12
- Years tracked
- 12
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints