Performance
Comfort
Fuel Economy
Fun To Drive
Interior Design
Exterior Design
Build Quality
Reliability
Review
This has been the best car I have ever owned.
Mechanical:
I have the underrated 2.5L 5 cylinder with the 6 speed automatic (not DSG). While this transmission is not particularly quick shifting what it does do and do very well is smoothness. It shifts right when I'd want it to and doesn't wait to downshift when I need it to. The manual mode also holds gears clear up to redline as well as when I am climbing grades. I live in Utah so, there are many, many grades to climb. The Passat handles them all.
I have 115,000+ miles on this car in the 6+ years I've had it. I have had zero issues. I change the oil regularly and keep up with the service schedules for everything else. This engine gets awesome MPG too. Throughout its life with me, I consistently see 28 mpg city/36 mpg highway. My highest mpg I've gotten is 44.1 on I-80 from Reno to Wendover. This car has great torque down low too so it squirts off the line. Stick the shifter in Sport mode and all that torque will squeal the tires and match revs as it speeds away. Manual mode is a blast too. It is a controllable Sport mode.
Interior:
Rattle-free to this day. I am a big guy. I have long legs and like to stretch out as I drive. I do not want the keys to hit me in the leg. In other cars, this driving position clobbers rear seat legroom and limits it to a duffel bag on the seat as the only thing that fits. In this car, I have friends, some of which are 6 foot 6 inches tall, sit behind me there and still have room - knee, foot, whatever. The car is a limo. The seat material has held up great. No tears, no split seams, nothing.
The only issues I have with the interior are the lack of rear seat HVAC vents in the center console. That and the metallic coating on the front passenger door latch has started to come off.
EVERYTHING else looks like new. This car has been used in grizzly Los Angeles rush hour traffic, 1,000+ mile road trips, dogs, suitcases, packages, BBQ grills, whatever. It still looks new!!!
Recommendation:
I wish VW still made this car with the 5 cylinder. I love this car and highly recommend it to anyone looking for something reliable, roomy, and economical.