2022 Volkswagen Passat
MSRP range: $27,575 - $30,575 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
7.6/10
Edmunds Rating
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.
2022 Volkswagen Passat Review
byAlex Nishimoto
Correspondent
Alex Nishimoto has worked in the automotive industry since 2007. He was a staff writer for MotorTrend for 10 years and since then has contributed to CNET, PRI, AutoWise and other publications.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
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 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 $3.42 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$145/mo
Passat SE
vs
$184/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
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
average
7.6/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe 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.
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.
Rated for you by America's best test team.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
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2022 Volkswagen Passat pricing
in Ashburn, VA
SE
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A
Edmunds suggests you pay
$26,934
Limited Edition
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A
Edmunds suggests you pay
$29,731
R-Line
2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A
Edmunds suggests you pay
$29,682
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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.
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:
Helpful shopping links
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $28,570
- MPG & Fuel
- 24 City / 36 Hwy / 28 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 174 hp @ 5,000 rpm
- Torque: 206 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 4 yr./ 50,000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 193.6 in. / Height: 58.7 in.
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 72.6 in.
- Curb Weight: 3,314 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 15.9 cu.ft.
Compare the Volkswagen Passat
Compare selected vehiclesCompare Volkswagen Passat to any vehicle See full list of Midsize sedans rankings
Volkswagen Passat vs. Toyota Camry
The Passat has the cushier ride, but the Camry is more engaging, especially the SE trim with its sportier suspension. Equipped with four-cylinder engines, both cars get solid fuel economy but the Camry has the advantage. Neither car is particularly quick, though the Camry has the option of a 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 that livens up the driving experience considerably.
Volkswagen Passat vs. Honda Accord
Next to the Honda Accord, one of the benchmarks in the midsize sedan category, the Passat doesn't have a lot to offer. The Accord's suspension is tuned to deliver a near-perfect balance of comfort and responsiveness, and its engines are both powerful and relatively fuel-efficient. Both sedans have roomy interiors, but the Accord's feels more modern. One advantage the Passat offers is its ability to keep road noise out of the cabin.
Volkswagen Passat vs. Kia K5
The Kia K5 is the better choice all around, but it's especially so if you want a midsize sedan with cutting-edge styling. Its aggressive front-end design and sloping roofline stand out more than the Passat's more conservative three-box design. Besides being more interesting to look at, the K5 offers a long list of tech features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an available 10.25-inch touchscreen, and multiple USB ports front and rear.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Passat safety features:
- 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.
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FAQ
Is the Volkswagen Passat a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 Passat both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Passat has 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Volkswagen Passat. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat:
- 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
Is the Volkswagen Passat reliable?
To determine whether the Volkswagen Passat is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Passat. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Passat's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Volkswagen Passat a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Volkswagen Passat is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 Passat and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 Passat is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
The least-expensive 2022 Volkswagen Passat is the 2022 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $27,575.
Other versions include:
- SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $27,575
- R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $29,575
- Limited Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) which starts at $30,575
What are the different models of Volkswagen Passat?
If you're interested in the Volkswagen Passat, the next question is, which Passat model is right for you? Passat variants include SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A), R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A), and Limited Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A). For a full list of Passat models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more