2022 Volkswagen Passat Review

Name: 2022 Volkswagen Passat Review
Brand: Volkswagen
Price: 18499 USD

2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition Sedan Exterior

2022 Volkswagen Passat R-Line Sedan Exterior

+176

While the Volkswagen Passat lacks personality and style, there's still a lot to like. It's comfortable and spacious. The interior is one of the biggest in the class, and the smooth ride and quiet interior remind you of its German origins. We just wish it was a little more fun to drive — the lackluster powertrain could use more power and refinement.

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2022 Volkswagen Passat Review

byAlex Nishimoto^{Correspondent
Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007 and has written more than 2,500 car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Alex is a correspondent for Edmunds and has also written for MotorTrend, Automobile, Hot Rod, Super Street, CNET, PRI Magazine, AutoWise and other publications. When he’s not writing about cars, he’s wrenching on his E30-generation BMW 325is, which he’s owned since college and plans to restore one day.}

Pros

Comfortable ride
Back seat and trunk are roomy
Quality sound from the available Fender audio system

Cons

Touchscreen is smaller than those in competitors
Transmission's sluggish shifting hinders performance
Missing some expected tech or luxury-level features

What's new

Final year of production for the VW Passat
Top-of-the-line Limited Edition trim to commemorate final year
Base S trim eliminated from lineup
Part of the fourth Passat generation introduced for 2012

Overview

The Volkswagen Passat has been the German automaker's midsize sedan offering in the U.S. since 1989. Now in its fourth generation, the 2022 Passat will be the last sold on this side of the pond. The midsizer's demise is due in part to a shift in consumer preferences toward SUVs, but the Passat's decade-old platform certainly didn't help its case.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$149/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The Passat received a largely cosmetic update in 2020, but it also got some useful features including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite that, the aging Passat struggles to compete with newer sedans like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5, which all have newer in-car tech, a wider array of drivetrain choices, and a more exciting driving experience. The Passat does have a smooth ride and a large back seat, making it a viable choice if those are your priorities. Check out the in-depth evaluation in our Expert Rating to find out if the Volkswagen Passat is the car for you.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.0/10

How does the Passat drive? It's acceptable but nothing exceptional. The engine lacks punch, making the Passat one of the slowest vehicles in its class. And unlike much of the competition, there's no optional engine to improve performance. There's a delay when you step on the gas, and the transmission is eager to upshift, furthering the sense that there's just not much sizzle here. The Passat feels sluggish when passing on the highway.

Another issue is braking performance. In our testing, the Passat's panic-stopping distances were longer than average for a midsize sedan. An uneven pedal response makes coming to a smooth stop somewhat frustrating too. The situation is a little better when the road bends. Around turns, the Passat is smooth and composed. The steering lacks feedback, but it's light and quick, making it relatively easy to park and maneuver in tight spaces.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Passat? Volkswagen errs on the side of plush. It delivers on comfort with a smooth ride that tunes out most imperfections in the road. Some drivers may prefer a firmer and sportier ride, but the Passat is plenty comfortable for the daily drive. The wide and supportive front seats help too. You might want more substantial padding from the Passat's seats, but the "relaxed-fit" shape still does a decent job of keeping you planted around turns.

The dual-zone climate control works great, with powerfully cold air conditioning and vents for rear passengers. The fans can be on the loud side when cranked up, but not obnoxiously so. Otherwise the Passat is relatively quiet with just a bit of tire noise on uneven surfaces.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Passat wins big on interior space, with plenty of room for both front and rear occupants. Legroom is particularly generous, except the center console can rub on the driver's knee. The long doors make getting in and out a breeze, though it might be tight in narrow parking spots. The seat and steering wheel offer a good amount of adjustment, a boon for both short and tall drivers. Decently sized windows and narrow roof pillars make it easy to see out of too.

The controls aren't as well sorted. While there are dedicated physical buttons for the climate system and shortcuts to the major menus for the touchscreen, the display itself is low and partially blocked by your hand when driving. It also forces you to take your eyes off the wheel for longer than we'd prefer. That said, the system infotainment system is easy to use. The menu structure is straightforward and easy to figure out without pulling out the manual.

Technology

8.0/10

How’s the tech? The Passat offers a decent amount of tech including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Integrated navigation is only available on the top-tier R-Line trim. It's easy to program and has on-screen controls that hide when you don't need them. Volkswagen also allows you to connect to your smartphone to check the fuel level or remotely start the car. We also like the Fender audio system's clean and bassy sound. Only lackluster voice controls hold it back.

The driver aids work well, with the adaptive cruise maintaining a decent gap in traffic and holding speeds downhill. The blind-spot monitor works well too, but the overly sensitive parking sensors were annoying. We also had an issue with the backup camera not always turning on.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The Passat's trunk is wide and deep, and the 60/40-split folding rear seat goes flat, opening the space up further for large items. Up front, there are a few sizable bins and cubbies on the dash and in front of the shifter for small items. The doors have decent-size pockets for most water bottles.

Installing a car seat is relatively easy thanks to wide door openings, a big back seat and easily accessible car seat anchors. Even larger rear-facing seats should fit fine without sacrificing front seat room.

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Volkswagen Passat will get 28 mpg in combined driving (24 city/36 highway). That's decent but behind the class leaders by a few mpg. That said, we saw 30.9 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, which is better than we've seen in most of the similarly equipped competition and indicative that the EPA estimates are realistic.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Passat a good value? The price of a fully loaded Passat is right in line with the four-cylinder competition, and you get a lot of features and space for the price. The Passat is missing a few features available in the competition such as ventilated seats and a more powerful engine, but for the most part it's a well-equipped sedan. The interior isn't nearly as nice or premium as you'll find elsewhere, but the fit and finish is solid. Our test car had no noticeable build-quality issues.

Volkswagen's bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties cover four years/50,000 miles, pretty typical for the class. You do get three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance and two years/20,000 miles of included maintenance.

Wildcard

6.5/10

The Passat lacks the charm and personality you'll find in the competition, or even older Volkswagens. VW's been running the same styling theme for a while now, so your new Passat won't look much different than your neighbor's old one. Compared to the Honda Accord, Mazda 6 or Hyundai Sonata, the Passat looks bland and boring. That might be fine if it was more fun to drive, but again the Passat fails to set itself apart from the crowd.

Which Passat does Edmunds recommend?

The base Passat S is gone for 2022, leaving the SE trim as the entry-level model and the best bang-for-your-buck option in the lineup. The SE comes standard with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a sunroof, heated front seats and simulated leather upholstery that help it feel slightly more upscale than comparably priced competitors.

2022 Volkswagen Passat models

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat is available in three trim levels: SE, R-Line and a loaded Limited Edition commemorating the car's final year of production. All come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (174 horsepower, 206 lb-ft of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Highlighted standard features include:

SE
Starts you off with:

LED headlights
18-inch wheels
6.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Sunroof
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Simulated leather upholstery
Keyless access with push-button ignition
Dual-zone climate control
Two rear USB ports
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volkswagen and the car in front)
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Lane keeping assist (steers the Passat back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

R-Line
Dresses up the Passat with:

Sporty bodywork with gloss black exterior trim
19-inch wheels
Paddle shifters
Ambient lighting
Unique R-Line interior trim
Upgraded 6.3-inch touchscreen with navigation
Premium Fender audio system

Limited Edition
Honors the Passat's history and gives you the works with:

Special 15-spoke 18-inch wheels
Unique interior and exterior design details
Adaptive front lighting (headlights rotate with steering wheel to illuminate corners)
Genuine leather upholstery
Driver's seat memory function
Power-adjustable passenger seat
Heated rear seat
Hands-free trunk access
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#20 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Volkswagen Passat from 2008-2022.}

$496/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.12x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.6%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Volkswagen Passat.

5 (58%)

4 (12%)

3 (12%)

2 (9%)

1 (9%)

4.0

33 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 33 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Roomy and Comfy!

tweetconn, 12/15/2020

2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I bought my new 2020 Passat SE in September. I had wanted a Passat for some time. I chose the Platinum Gray Metallic color. The car is very roomy with lots of legroom even in the rear seating area. There are many safety features; lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, backup camera, adaptive cruise control, etc. To my surprise, my car insurance premium actually went down because of …

Great car and good $ per Value

O, 12/21/2020

2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Looking for a family car that fits taller than average people, it's the best. My kids are 6.3 and 6.0, and I am 6.0 and have a great room in the back with plenty of room on both the driver and front passenger side. The power is a bit on the low end of the low RPM range, but it has good performance in the higher RPM ranges once you punch it. Good MPG. I get 30 - 33+ on the highway at …

Race green metallic

Cjd., 12/07/2021

2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Love this car it has a lot of class and a lot of options Great on gas . The Passat is going to be missed

LOVE MY PASSAT

JEEPserviceSucks, 05/03/2021

2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I now have almost 10k miles on my Passat R Line. I get amazing service with free loaners, car washes etc from every dealership I have been too. No problems at all with my car. I have averaged 28 MPG combined city and highway with a lead foot. On regular unleaded as well. I am a big guy. 6'3" over 300lbs with very wide shoulders as I have to have a 54 long suit and I have plenty …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat, so we've included reviews for other years of the Passat since its last redesign.

See all 33 reviews of the Volkswagen Passat

Write a vehicle review

2022 Passat Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$27,575
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$149/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Passat models:

Forward Collision Warning: Warns you of an imminent front collision with a pedestrian or vehicle and, if necessary, applies automatic emergency braking.
Blind-Spot Monitor: Uses rear radar sensors to warn you of vehicles in adjacent lanes. Also illuminates an icon on the side mirror when a vehicle enters the blind spot.
Lane Keeping Assist: Applies countersteering to nudge the vehicle back into its lane if it drifts over lane markers when no turn signal has been activated.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall3 / 5
Driver3 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2022 Volkswagen Passat Review

2022 Volkswagen Passat Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Passat does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Volkswagen Passat models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Roomy and Comfy!

Great car and good $ per Value

Race green metallic

LOVE MY PASSAT

2022 Passat Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}