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2017 Volkswagen Passat

2017 Volkswagen Passat
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MSRP range
$22,440 - $33,995
Consumer Rating
(47)
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Pros

  • Big, easily loaded trunk
  • Roomy backseat even for a midsize sedan
  • Refined highway ride
  • quiet cabin

Cons

  • Less engaging driving experience than many rivals
  • Transmission's sluggish responses
  • Small infotainment touchscreens
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2017 Volkswagen Passat pricing

in Ashburn, VA
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2018 Passat
msrp$22,995
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Top consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2017 Volkswagen Passat.

47 reviews
Surprisingly Good
Adam, 11/27/2016
I recently leased a 2017 Passat R-Line and I have to say I am surprised by how good it is. I'm pretty OCD and normally take a long time and make careful decisions. I cross-shopped it with other mid-size sedans, mainly the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, and Ford Fusion. Basically I rented or test drove all the main mid-sizers except the Subaru Legacy. In terms of handling, the Passat is middling. It is a bit bouncy and feels just a bit floaty at high speeds (over 80 mph, which is normal speed on SoCal freeways when not congested). Of all of them, the best driving were the Mazda 6, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord, followed by the Malibu, Optima and Passat, with the Sonata bringing up the rear. In terms of comfort, however, by far the most comfortable was the Passat, both for the front seats and especially the crazy large backseats. It also feels very airy and the sight lines are very good (except to the direct rear, where high back headrests intrude a little). The little 1.8 liter turbo engine is a champ. It felt at least as powerful as the base engines in the other mid-sizers, and more powerful than some. Yeah, its 170 horsepower doesn't sound very impressive, but its 184 lb ft of torque is always there and gives really good oomph. I will check mpg when I've had it for longer. In terms of technology and infotainment, I would say the Passat ranks pretty well, but is not the best. The R-Line has the key safety features I was looking for: Wide angle rear camera, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitor, and forward collision alert with emergency braking. The one feature it is missing which I wanted was adaptive cruise control - I would have needed to go up to the SE With Technology for that (I think Edmunds lists it in the normal SE, which seems to be a rare error by Edmunds). One possible safety issue: The headlights aren't the best. I have the halogens - the LED headlights are supposed to be a bit better, but mine doesn't have them. I can see fine with the halogens, but they aren't very bright and some people might wish for more brightness. In terms of looks, I would say the Passat is attractive from all angles, especially the back and side, although I think looks are really a matter of personal taste. Trunk space is very good - 15.9 cubic feet, and the space is very functional, plus the rear seats fold down 60/40. The main reason I chose the Passat was that, looked at as a whole package, I felt better about it than any of the others. It just feels extremely easy to live with, and also feels like a premium car but at a lower price than others on this list. There is nothing it doesn't do well, and some things it does great (did I mention the huge open airy comfortable cabin? Let me mention it again). Plus the dealership (Mossy VW in Escondido, CA) was more willing to work with me than other dealers. So I drove off with what I felt was the best car of the bunch, at the lowest price of the bunch, what's not to like? It's too new to give any reliability impressions - I might do that after I've had more time with the car.
Best in Class
Barry, 11/15/2016
I had been looking for a new car for months and was thinking Audi or Lexus. I preferred German engineering over all else as I used to own a BMW 328i but decided to sell it before major repairs became a common place situation. I went to my local VW dealer and saw the R Line in Black and realized I preferred the look of this car over the new A4. Took it for a test drive and fell in love. I don't know how the specifications are so low on the engine, 170 HP and 184 ft lb torque when it feels like it pulls like a much higher engine. I was extremely impressed by the package and with the incentive, acquired the car for slightly over $22k. Insane value. After the past few days I am in love. It's quiet, perky, handles extremely well, fuel efficient and beautiful to look at and sit in. I think VW really has a winner with this one. I look forward to owning this car for awhile.
The R-line's sleek design and handling are A+
Corey C., 11/1/2016
The R-line has a beautiful sporty design compared to the base S model. The 19in aluminum alloy wheels are stylish and really grip the road allowing for great tight handling; and the R-line's cabin is quiet even with the larger tires. Combined MPG is higher than EPA estimates of city/hwy 23/34, I'm currently getting about 31.5 (half hwy, half city). What makes the Passat R-line stand above it's competitors is it's technology and low price. The central info-entertainment system is far superior to it's competitors including the Camry, Optima, Legacy, and Madza 6. Also, it comes in a few thousand below the base prices of several of its competitors, making it an affordable yet very reliable option. As an added plus is the size of the cabin. It's huge compared to other midsize sedans. Overall, very impressive for a vehicle in the low 20s.
Passat R-Line best value midsize sedan you can buy
Andre Arensman, 11/7/2017
I bought this car on Father's Day this year as a replacement for my family's 3rd car. The idea was that my 3 high schoolers would use this car. However, as soon as my wife saw the car and drove it, she claimed it as hers and passed her car down to the kids. The R-Line looks so much better than any other trim. The front fascia is formidable. Especially our white R-Line with the black and chrome trim. Add to that the standard 19" wheels and you've got yourself an awesome looking car. This is not quite an Audi A6 but then again, I got this car for about $19,500 (sticker price was over $26,500; I got exactly 25% off) . Amazing, amazing, amazing. Best features: incredible gas mileage. When driving by myself I get 32-35 MPG in mostly suburban driving. Of course if you are a more aggressive driver, I'm sure you can do much worse. The automatic transmission can be put in S-mode for Sport and this really brings the car alive with much shorter shift cycles. The 19" low profile tires give the car a very sporty feel with great grip. Of course this also means a slightly less comfortable ride on bumpy roads. The back seat of this car offers leg room that is unheard of. I'm 6'2" with long legs and I still have about 4" of space in front of my knees. Overall the cabin space in this car is impressive. Standard on the R-Line is perforated faux leather, which is very nice and easy to clean. The R-Line offers Apple Carplay and Android Auto standard. Once you experience this great feature, you would never want to buy a car again without this feature (Toyota/Lexus is the ONLY manufacturer to flat out refuse to offer this on their new cars; however, that will resolve itself next year when they realize how this stubbornness is going to cost them a boat load of sales....). Use your phone's map feature as your always up-to-date and free GPS, listen to incoming texts and send out replies hands-free, totally voice activated. Fantastic. Heated seats are standard, this is a feature I will not have to use here in the tropical climate in Southwest Florida. Still nice to have for road trips up North. Great dual zone climate control, however, the rear of the car only has vents under the front seats, not in the center console. Definitely a negative. As a matter of fact, there basically is nothing in the rear center console, so also no additional USB outlets. Another negative for sure. All-in-all, I still cannot believe that I bought this fabulous car for under $20,000. And just to reiterate, this car was built in Volkswagen's brand new state-of-the-art plant in Chattanooga TN, not in Mexico (after having owned a few Mexico built VWs in the past, I will stay clear of those. I can still easily pick them out on the road. They are the VWs with only one headlight working....). The build quality of the car seems top notch. The hood and doors, trunk all fit very tightly. I did not test drive Camry, Accord, Mazda 6 or Hyundai/Kia competitors, but I don't think anyone can better the value of this Passat R-Line. That's my bottom line. Update after 10,000 miles: No problems to report, still very happy!
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2017 Volkswagen Passat video

BRYN MACKINNON: I'm Bryn MacKinnon from Edmunds, and this is an Edmunds Expert Rundown of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat. Regardless of how plain it might look from the outside, the Passat is still a strong choice when it comes to mid-size sedans. The current Passat has been around for about five years, and this year's model hasn't changed much either, but that isn't a huge knock for this VW. For years now, the Passat has offered a big, comfy back seat, a big trunk, and excellent interior materials. On the highway, the Passat gets up to speed quickly, thanks to one of two engines, a turbocharged four-cylinder or a non-turbocharged V6. Both are likeable engines with decent acceleration for the segment, but mileage is behind class leaders. Once you're up to speed, the Passat it is quiet and refined and makes for really easy commutes or road trips. It isn't as engaging to drive quickly, but all the midsize sedan basics are pretty much covered. Once you hop inside the Passat, you'll definitely notice how big the back seat is, a plus for Lyft drivers and parents with car seats. But up front, things aren't very modern. Volkswagen has gone with a function over form set of touchscreens, it seems, and with the Passat, that makes things feel a bit dated. The optional 6.3 inch touchscreen comes with modern stuff, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It just isn't as visually pleasing as the systems in some rivals. The bottom line, with the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, is that it's a likeable sedan worth checking out, but you might be happier with a more modern rival. Be sure to check out competitors, like the Honda Accord, the Mazda 6, and the Ford Fusion. For more Expert Rundowns, click the link to subscribe.

2017 Volkswagen Passat Expert Rundown

Looking for a midsize sedan comfy enough for road trips and commuting? The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is a strong choice. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.

Features & Specs

MSRP
$23,975
MPG
23 city / 34 hwy
Seats 5
6-speed shiftable automatic
Gas
170 hp @ 6200 rpm
MSRP
$25,495
MPG
23 city / 34 hwy
Seats 5
6-speed shiftable automatic
Gas
170 hp @ 6200 rpm
MSRP
$27,995
MPG
23 city / 34 hwy
Seats 5
6-speed shiftable automatic
Gas
170 hp @ 6200 rpm
MSRP
$22,440
MPG
23 city / 34 hwy
Seats 5
6-speed shiftable automatic
Gas
170 hp @ 6200 rpm
See all 2017 Volkswagen Passat features & specs

Safety

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
  • Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
    Overall4 / 5
    Driver4 / 5
    Passenger4 / 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.
  • Side Impact Test
    Good
  • Roof Strength Test
    Good
  • Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
    Good
  • IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
    Good
  • Moderate Overlap Front Test
    Good

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More about the 2017 Volkswagen Passat

Although it hasn't undergone a major redesign for several years, the 2017 Volkswagen Passat continues to hold its own against rivals from the U.S. and Japan in the hotly contested midsize-sedan market segment. It may not have the sports appeal or technical sophistication of some competitors, but the Passat's blend of roominess, pleasant styling and a comfortable ride clearly strikes a chord with the steady stream of buyers who have kept the model in production since 1973.

After a minor refresh last year, the Passat has undergone few changes for 2017. The SEL trim level has been axed, and a new V6 SE model has been added to the lineup. All Passats now have standard forward collision warning with automatic braking, and the higher trim levels get new standard equipment that includes Volkswagen's App-Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.

The Passat's interior is one of the model's strong suits. The design is attractive, the layout functional and the high-quality materials give the impression of a more expensive vehicle. There's also an abundance of space, with plenty of leg-, hip- and shoulder room for front-seat occupants, a rear seat that's one of the largest in its class and a generous trunk size that vacationing families will appreciate. The standard infotainment system, while perhaps not a class-leader, is nevertheless easy to use and features a modestly sized touchscreen display.

The standard powerplant for all trim levels is a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. More power is available on the SE and SEL Premium models in the form of a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 that puts out 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque and comes with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

With suspension designed more for comfortable highway cruising and around-town practicality than flat-out cornering, the Passat still provides crisp steering response, and the Sport mode and available paddle shifters can help enhance the driving experience for those interested in a bit more excitement. Performance from the standard four-cylinder engine is likely to be more than adequate for most drivers, although the V6 cut about 1.3 seconds from the zero-to-60-mph time in Edmunds testing.

Fuel economy for the Passat with the base four-cylinder engine is EPA rated at a combined 27 mpg (23 city/34 highway), while the V6 achieved a combined rating of 23 mpg (20 city/28 highway).

The surprisingly well-equipped Passat S comes with such features as dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera and an infotainment system with USB port. The R-Line model adds a few sporty touches, the SE tacks on more comfort and convenience items, and the top-of-the-line SEL Premium goes all out with details like heated leather seats, more driver-assist devices and a premium sound system. Let Edmunds help you find the best 2017 Volkswagen Passat to suit your needs.

2017 Volkswagen Passat Overview

The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is offered in the following submodels: . Available styles include R-Line 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A), SE 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A), SE w/Technology 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A), S 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A), SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A), V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6AM), and V6 SE w/Technology 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6AM).

What do people think of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Passat 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Passat.

Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Passat featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

Which 2017 Volkswagen Passats are available in my area?

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Volkswagen Passat for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat.

Why trust Edmunds?

Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.

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