Used 2005 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
2005 Passat TDI GLS
I had a Passat gas burner for 4 years in Germany and was really impressed with all aspects of the car. That experience led me to want a Passat here. I chose the TDI because of the fuel economy and expected long life of a diesel. I've only had the car for a month but have really enjoyed the solid, quality feel when driving; reminds me of my former Passat. The only complaint is a very slight buzz heard sometimes, somewhere around the driver's side window post where the seatbelt enters. My first two tanks of fuel averaged 33mpg overall with about 60% highway/40% around town.
Love it!
This is an outstanding machine. The European style diesel engine is fun to drive and economical. And, it is a good looking car to boot.
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $4,450847 mi away
- GLS 1.8T SedanMSRP: $4,9501,026 mi away
- GLS TDI Diesel SedanMSRP: $5,9951,741 mi away
Faeez's Volkswagen
Man, I was going to buy the GTI from Volkswagen. But when I saw the 04 Volkswagn Passat in candy white and a 1.8 liter turbo engine I fell in love with the beatuy. GREAT SEDAN/SPORTSCAR Volkswagen..
tdi diesel
presently suprised about the pickup and speed of the diesel...getting greater than 30mpg. excellent car with a huge trunk and fun to drive...
Great Wagon
This is a great family car. The interior is absolutely gorgeous, and I love the elegant exterior. To me it looks like a car that should be twice as expensive as it actually is. The mileage is very good, close to 40mpg on the highway. The diesel engine performs very well. It is a little more noisy at idle than a gasoline engine, but once you start driving it, you won't notice any more noise than a gasoline engine. The standard features (no extra cost) on this car are numerous. The only options are leather seats, Climatronic (electronic climate controls), and bigger wheels. It is a very well appointed car. Highly recommended.
My new VW...
This great looking car is pretty fast considering it's relatively small engine (2.0L 134hp.) The 247 ft/lbs of lowend torque is what makes it a really fun drive - I find myself saying "farfegnugen" a lot! I love watching the mpg average with the TDI engine. I had problems with the dealer just handing me a box with the books, wrong keys and no new car walk through. The car spent it's 1'st week in the shop because a speaker wire was bad, causing a high pitched whine. They had to route a replacement wire from the amp to the door speaker. I REALLY WISH 4MOTION would have been available with this model!!!!!!! I'm also concerned about taking it back to California & passing the smog check.
Whatta Wagon!!!
Picked our new Passat up in Oregon and drove to Southern California. Went through rain, Snow and highwinds. The handling is superb. Averaged 37 MPG overall. Drove mostly back highways to enjoy the handling. It was all I could do to get my wife to let me drive. Her car is a Lexus and she likes the handling of the Passat better.
Great car for the dollar.
I really like this car. It handles like a champ. After purchase I noticed a vibration during shifting. I took it back to the dealership and they uploaded a new flash memory for the computer. It has worked flawlessly since. Not real big on style, but if you are looking for German engineering that feels like a more expensive european model, yet unpretentious enough to not upset your boss and co- workers with envy and jealousy. If that is what you are looking for, you couldn't find a better car for the parking lot or your wallet.
My 2005 TDI Passat
I finally succumbed, kicking and screaming, to buying a car that gets good mileage. Yes the SUV is killing my monthly budget. The Passat was an obvious choice, having owned diesel cars many years ago; I wasn't expecting that this car would be so great. The pickup is amazing it is very comfortable has plenty of room, the trunk is especially large and with the rear seats folded down cavernous. The body style still looks great despite the new design coming out this fall. I think this would be a good choice for anyone interested in a car that would be used mostly for highway commuting. I would not recommend this car for local driving; this engine is not well suited for this type of operation.
Best handling wagon I have ever owned
Now have 2300 miles on this fine automobile. I would not trade it for anything made by Toyota or Honda. The handling is superb. Already had to use the fine braking. The girl in the Toyota PU looked happy the Passat stopped so quickly when she pulled out in front of us. Very quiet well built vehicle. Highly recommend the VW TDIs.
Diesel is the way to go
A sports sedan that gets on average 35 mpg, who could want more! The only negative is diesel fuel is very expensive in the winter months. Friends marvel at the room and trunk size when the car seems almost compact on the outside. Lots of features, very good value. Hopeful I will not have to visit the dealer much, VW can have reliability issues.
My dream car
The cars runs well, but the milage in the V6 decreases greatly in city traffic. Also the transmission module failed just prior to a long trip. The car was under warranty, and a dealer took care of the car. The car requires high test gas, which has become quite costly
Great Car For the Money
Looked at a lot of other cars in its class and the Passat felt the most substantial, heavy and comes witha lot of standard features. The only other cars that were competition were the A4 and the Acura TSX. The Passat was less and drives just as well as the A4 and tighter then the Acura.
Reliable Vehicle
I use my Passat just like my neighbors use their SUV's. I tow my dirt bikes, take it off-road to my favorite camping/fishing spots. Snow is not a problem in the winter with the ESP and it has more room than most midsize SUV's. I tinted my windows for the SUV look and average 28 mpg on the highway.
Happy driver
This is the second TDI that i've owned and both have been excellent road cars. I enjoy the engine torque that gives outstanding highway performance. Yes, diesels can have performance and the enconomy is a added benifit.
Fun to drive
This is my 5th VW but the first diesel and I must say it is one of the best , the ride is good the car is very well made and the mpg is around 33 in town. never been on a long road trip yet so cant say what the mpg would be. If I could change on thing on the car it would be to extend the length of the front seat a few inches where the front edge of the seat would hit loweron my legs.
Love it!
Love this car, sturdy, dependable, yet fun on the highway due to its turbo engine. I feel very safe in it.
36 miles per gallon in the city
I've never driven a diesel powered automobile before, but after a few months of driving my Passat TDI I have to say "I love it." Most if not all of the reviews I read before I purchased the car have been very accurate. Although I'm paying a premium for diesel fuel ($2.20 per gal.) it's nice to know I'm averaging a little over 36 miles to the gallon (36.4 in the city). I can't think of anything bad to say about the car...the engine is a little bit louder in idle and not every gas station carries diesel fuel. Other than that...the car is wonderful!
Love My TDI
Handling is typically European tight. Acceleration is more than adequate for everyday situations. The GL environmental system is basic, but it works well. The GL level trim is basic and affordable at $ 23,000.00. No sunroof. No electric seats. This really a basic driving machine. The feel is solid, with good quakity finish. I recently drove a rental Nissan Altima & prefer the VW GL TDI hands down!
Best Car I Ever Owned
Previously, a car was simply a means of transportation. Now it is fun to drive, comfortable to be in, and a real pleasure to own. At first I questioned about the difference in fuel cost between the diesel and gas engine. However, I am able to average 33 miles per gallon in tight city traffic and about 42 on the open highway. The diesel engine is quiet and smooth. The car rides extremely tight with a comfortable road feel even in high wind. It corners like a cannon ball in a laundry chute. It simply has a solid sensation about it both inside and out. When asked how I like it, I say "Best car I ever owned and I have owned a bunch." That about says it all. Except, I bet I sold some.
Lots of fun with room
The 1.8t with a 5 speed produces great mileage with very good performance. Ride and handling are great. Lots of room. For what it is worth, that german feel. Very nice sound system. Lots of little things like door sill plates, chrome lip on trunk edge, super trip computer, and little sun visor behind mirror. Excellent value with all the air bags, stability control, antilock brakes, and premium sound. Threw in the winter package and there is not much to want.
no longer a vw lifer
Had VWs since I was 16 and loved them all. Grew up, made some money, and went upscale. I loved this car a lot when I bought it. It's no tin can, its a solid car (reminded me of a Mercedes) with a smooth ride. So why did they cheap out on the interior with all the plastic? Then there was the overall durability. Seems that the car can't handle it's own weight, and the NYC streets killed the tires and axles. Also, the engine strained to get the behemoth moving, and I learned fast that it did not stop on a dime like a Jetta. Then, the problems. Annoying rattle in dash that VW refused to fix after 3rd attempt, Then the car's 4 faulty ignition coils, ea caused separate trips to dealer
So far, so good
This little guy keeps on going. I love the styling, comfort(with a "c" not a "k"), gas mileage, interior room. I looked at a BMW before I purchased this and it definitely had more bells and whistles. I LOVE the heated seats. The ride is comfortable. It has it's issues, but they have been covered under the warranty. Fun to drive!
Best Wagon Made!
Due to the current gasoline prices, I did not want to buy an SUV, but I needed cargo room, so a wagon seemed to be the smart choice. After extensive research, I settled on the Passat TDI. The TDI wagon is now hard to find, and I had to drive 250 miles to purchase one. This is by far the best automobile I have ever owned. The build quality, comfort, and ride are every bit as good as my in-laws BMW 525i. If you want an alternative to the gas-guzzling SUV's this is definitely a vehicle worth exploring. If you owned or knew someone who owned a VW diesel in the 1980's, you owe it to yourself to look at the new diesel technology. An absolutely fantastic vehicle!!!
Seriously beware of VW
My overall experience with VW has been terrible. I leased my 2003 Passat and it has broken down 3 times within the last year, all with mysterious, major warranty issues, the final one being called into question even though I have a platinum warranty. It was fun to drive but I am now at the point where I'm afraid to drive it. Oil pumps, fuel pumps, cam shaft adjustments, engine trouble? Should that happen all by 50000 miles? They also PROMISE an alternate car yet it was never there.They let me go three weeks without a car for warranty work that I still don't know what was really wrong with it all three times. Looks aren't everything!
Lovin this car!!
I test drove everything in the Volkswagen Passat's class, including the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, Volvo S40, Lexus IS300, Saabs, Nissans, the list goes on. A friend recommended the Passat, I drove it once, and fell in love. The car is solid, feels safe as can be, has every feature I could ever dream of having, and is a BLAST to drive. I use the sportshift all the time and this car flies off the line when using it. It is not so great with the auto engaged, but it leaves nothing to be desired. I got a smokin' deal on it. I have put on a ton of miles already because I just WANT to drive. This car has impressed me SO MUCH!
From Honda back to VW
Planned to downsize from 99 Accord Ex & 02 Civic Si to 1 car in future, but VW pricing & incentives too good to pass up. My foreign car mechanic, who always said buy Honda or Toyota, vouched for the newer TDI engine and Passats. He's not seeing problems in his shop. Wagon choices are few, and this one meets our needs. (This is not a "sport wagon.") Very happy with fit & finish, plus there are plenty of diesel stations nearby. Have to get used to startup; seems too slow, but more pressure on accelerator is too quick. Have to get used to this along with engine hum, not growl, and low rpms on tach. Letting 5 speed auto do its thing.
Bye Bye V-70
Leaving my 1999 Volvo V-70 Wagon behind in the lot was very easy to do last week as I stepped into a new stonehenge grey VW TDI wagon. It would have been easy to do, had I felt the desire, despite the direct sunlight above the rear view mirror because the folks from VW decided to put an extra 'flip down' sun visor directly above it. This feature may be trite, yet it demonstrates the amount of thought put into this vehicle. I'm looking forward to having a positive experience with this car that is rated at 40 miles to the gallon! This is my first deisel, it sounds normal, it has more engine braking than a gas engine but when the turbo kicks in,it kicks in and you have everything you need.
Rocket ship
Second Day with my 05 Passat GLS Auto 1.8 T. Love it. The car handles like a sports car, feels solid and is quiet on the highway. Interior fit and finish is high qualily. 17 inch wheels grip the road. Tip Tronic, fun to accelerate onto highway. High Marks all around.
Turbocharger Intermittent
To start off with, I like the styling of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI. I also enjoy the TDI's fuel economy. However, the Turbocharger stops working intermittently. I have had the car back to two different dealerships on five separate occasions to repair of the turbocharger. The cruise control disengages intermittently, as do the daytime running lights. I too, have experienced the inability to remove the ignition key from its slot on the steering column several times. I still do not know why that has happened. The front seats bottoms are a bit short in length and there is not much padding under the leather. You can feel the closed cell polyurethane foam that lines the seat bottom upon ingress and egress.
Underestimated Fun Ride
Have had the TDI Passat for 6000mi now and LOVE it. My experience gives it 28- 30 around town and 40-43 highway at 75- 80 mph. Went through the Smokies up to Canada cruise control doesn't slow down at all going up the mountain grades. All in all my wife and I feel the vehicle performed much better than expected, truly an under rated ride and performance. The little 2 lt diesel will push you into the back of the seat over 2000rpm. Will blow through 100mph easily while passing tractor trailers if not careful. We're in our 60's with back problems and have put in several 10-12hour days and love this vehicle. Quiet rumble sounds great all with no smelly diesel stink. Check it out!
fun to drive, "Monday car"
I drive 30,000+ miles a year. My new Passat is a repacement from VW for my last years model that was a lemon. My first Passat had engine problenms, molding problems, you name it and it had a problem. It had spent 79 days in the shop during the first year that I had it. VW was great and they gave me a new one. My new Passat drives great and is comfortable. In three months, and 11,000 miles it has only been in the shop for ten days, not including maintance. Next time I will not purchase a VW.
05 VW Passat
I am completely satisfied with this car. We upgraded from an 03 VW Jetta so we could have more room for our growing family. It feels sturdy, drives smooth and we've had no problems arise.
Passat Review
I purchased a Passat after driving American made cars and felt I had to take the chance. The stability and control I have, have not been found in an American made vehicle. It is extremely comfortable and quiet and get better mileage than the Ford Focus I drove before. I have much more room, better mileage and look much more impressive in this vehicle.
My Passat TDI
I have had my 2005 Passat TDI for a little over a year now. I absolutely love it! Not only does it provide a comfortable ride and good looks, it gets awesome fuel mileage. I do a lot of driving and I fill the tank on average about every two weeks. Also, it is very roomy and has lots of trunk space.The shiftable automatic transmission is nice too. It is a great car to have.
Good car with some problems
This is an excellent riding vehicle with decent power and good looks. The data display and heated seats are great features. I had two strange things happen with this car. First was minor. The chrome strip along the rear door pulled away somehow and took paint off the front door the next time I opened it. It happened on a very very cold day and I suspect some water froze behind it. The second thing was much more serious. I got home one night and tried to back into my spot but the car would not move. Turned out that I needed a whole new transmission, which Kelly VW replaced with no hassle. It's running well but making a strange noise after rolling a few feet. I'm taking it back again.
I Love My Passat
I went from a Mitsubishi Lancer to a 2005 Volkswagen Passat. Every time I looked at a Passat on the road, I was envious. Finally, I bought a 2005 Passat that had been a dealer demo so it had less than 5,000 miles on it even though I bought it December 2005. I love my car! It takes some time getting used to, but I enjoy the experience. The ride is fairly smooth and I feel important driving this car. I checked out the 2006 Passat and was appalled at the price. I was able to buy my '05 Passat for thousands of dollars less than the current rate for a new '06 Passat. I don't like the new body style of the '06 Passat, though I do like the chrome in the front. Overall, I'm satisfied with my purchase.
Almost 600 Miles on one Tank!
The Volkwagon Passat Wagon TDI is just the best car I have ever owned. I get almost 600 miles on one tank of gas driving at 85 mph!
Good Car Poor Realiability
I think VW ought to spend as much time on quality and reliability as they do on style! I bought the 2001 new passat, I pretty much know all the service guys in southeastern wisconsin by name by the second year, even though I do all the required service and do less that 12,000 miles a year! I have had problem from system failure to engine light on to tie rod problems in the first three years. This year alone I have spend over $2000 on the car! Even my friend's 2000 Ford Taurus is more reliable! I have called VW to complain, the lady politely told me I am out of warranty and there nothing they can do! I happen to have the 24 months full service warranty they had back in 2001
Rock Solid and Refined
I just bought a Passat TDI Wagon and it is a wonderful car. Excellent handling, gutsy acceleration, and is exactly what I need for my 60 mile round trip job commute here in Michigan. It seems to to matter little how many people or how much stuff I have in the car, it just presses on regardless. The only option I have on mine are the 17 Inch wheels. If I had to sum it up: Refined, Rock Solid and Gutsy.
love mpg, hate electronic issues
I have had this car for 4 years and I have had some issues with the dash mpg display, when the car is hot it's half faded, the light doesn't come on when I open the door - I have to wack it to get it on and the lights for the temp controls don't come on anymore. I have taken it in to complain about it but each time the techs tell me it was working fine for them,fog lights and headlights burnout fast. I do love the fuel efficiency, I average 37 mpg on the freeway which is great on the wallet. Leather seats little uncomfortable during a long drive. My daughter kicked off the ashtray and elec plug cover with her legs due to center carseat position. I think this will be my last passat.
Disappointed in my Passat
I cannot wait to squirrel away enough money to replace my car, with a non-VW model. I used to be that person that would defend VW and my car selection, but no more. After three recalls, multiple ignition coils going out, faulty electronics and the bottom panel of my car falling out on the freeway, I am done with this car. Not to mention it is a boring sedan. There is nothing outstanding about this car, aside from my repair bills.
Shopped Around a lot to Find Value
I shopped around quite a bit before deciding on a VW Passat. I compared this car to Sweden's Volvo S60 and the Lincoln LS, both of which are V6 or straight 5-cylinder engines. I was sceptical about the 4-cylinder 1.8T engine in the Passat, however this German built vehicle really shines when you consider the packages and the performance. It is a solid car with great space in the backseat. The standard side curtain airbags and safety went toe toe to toe with Volvo. The S60 had a lot of play in the wheel (boat feeling) and the Lincoln didn't impress me when the dealer couldn't shut the hood when showing me the car. It makes you wonder what else in the car is not quite lined up. The Passat won.
We Need More Diesels!
I was on the fence over which car to buy, the Camry, Accord, or the Passat. Diesel engine is what sold me, and the wagon option. This car will eventually go to one of my kids when they go to college; I expect it to run that long! Great highway car, will get-up-n-go and not hurt you at the pump over driving it hard. Dealers are offering KILLER deals right now.
Bought now rather than later...
Planned to down size from 2 cars (Hondas) to 1 (wagon) in the next 2 years, but couldn't resist April's incentives. (Seems every one is paying about the same, less than invoice.) Also liked the fact that 05 Passats come fully equipped with options limited to 17" wheels and leather package. Chose 17" wheels. My independent mechanic, who always said buy Toyota or Honda, OK'd the Passat. He has seen no problems with newer Passats and described the TDI as one of the sweetest engines around. Hope reliability is as good as our 99 Accord. (Didn't expect same with 02 SI.) First full tank showed 28 mpg for mostly city driving. Trip meter makes you think it will be better. Expect mpg's to improve.
Volswagen Passat
Fairly quick pickup, one of the faster vehicles available if top speed is your desire. Handles the road very well. Fuel ecomomy is good, at speeds of 130 km per hour approximately 42 miles per gallon.
My 1st VW But not my Last
I was looking for a nice car with good MPG. The Passat fits that bill to a tee, I travel 70 a day to go work and this car has been great for that use. Lots of confort good MPG and it gets going down the road when you kick in the tubro. It appears to wear also but I have only owned it about 8 months.
Passat 05 review
Although I have had my passat for a short time, I cannot help but express my most positive experiences with the vehicle. The safety features, the room in the rear seating area, the comfort of the driver's seat, driving this car is alot of fun. Having the option to use the 5 speed shift like a manual or leave it in automatic mode, they both can provide some great acceleration.
2004 Passat 1.8T GLS
For less than $23000 excellent built quality, great looking, superb interior materials. perfectly ballanced ride comfortable but with little body role, outstanding safety features (active restrain seat belts, side and head curtain airbags, esp), excellent performance considering the 1.8T economy engine giving highway milage of 32+ and suburban mileage of 26+. This is the best car I have owned so far. In my opinion the best value among wagons and family cars seating 5 currently available
Just Brought It Home Tonight
I traded a 2001 Dodge Durango (gas hog) for a 2005 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI. I had the Durango for four years. I negotiated the drive-out price on the Passat to mid $24K on last day of month. The torque and cabin layout are excellent! The dealership had only 2 other TDI GLS's on the lot; I got the Gray with ESP.