Used 2012 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used Passat for sale
initial review and findings
gphin305, 05/20/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I also own a 2008 Passat 2.0T which I leased for three years and decided to purchase last year since it is such a great car. Just leased our new 2012 SE with roof last week and so far so good. This a totally different car from the B6 model (2006-2010), a good size family type sedan.....more conservative but still high quality and distinctive. Although now made in the U.S>, still has that German solid feel and look. We only have a 150 miles recorded so far and all is fine. No rattles, no wind noise. Will update at 1000 miles.
2012 Passat SE
jrind2, 06/29/2012
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE PZEV 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof, Nav (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
So far after 3 months we love this vehicle - the extra room inside is amazing especially in the back seats.
2012 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
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- S PZEV SedanMSRP: $4,999491 mi away
- S PZEV SedanMSRP: $7,4901,185 mi away
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Owned Since May 2012
Brian Reed, 10/03/2018
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Updated review now at 60,000 miles
Scott Johnson, 03/13/2015
updated 03/21/2018
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan w/Sunroof (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Updated review from 25,000 miles. Electronics are iffy. Back doors constantly engage the locks while driving at low speeds. Tire light switches on almost immediately after reset. Sensors are o.k. Mechanics cannot determine cause. Interior dome light turns itself on randomly. Passenger window opens and closes of its' own mind. Master cylinder went out at 47,000 miles. Insanely expensive to replace and part not in U.S. at the time- had to be imported from Germany! Front brake pads and rotors replaced. Again, insanely expensive. Engine light keeps coming on- no one so far has been able to determine why. Gas cap release/closure mechanism had to be replaced at 32,000 miles. Warning light that gas cap is not seated comes on. Pressure tests run. Say it passes. Once again, no one can determine why the light goes on and off. Bluetooth turns itself off and is stubborn to get it back on line again. Engine/transmission all solid so far. Ride still great so far. Interior has held up amazingly well. Looks new.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
seats and tires
jimmyv123, 07/11/2013
2012 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 5cyl 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The leatherette seats are comfortable however I've noticed a seam is starting to open along the left side bolster padding of the driver's seat. It's not an aread that I sit on nor is it a stress area from getting in and out so I have no idea why it would be failing. It probably won't completly open up until after the 36,000 mile warranty expires and I don't think the dealer will repair something that hasn't happed yet. No more leatherette for me. Also, the Hankook tires are less than satisfactory. They are extremely noisy on anything but smooth-as-glass pavement and with 27,000 miles on them with rotation every oil change they are about done.