more about this model 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
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.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Passat 4.4 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.
Vehicle
R-Line 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
Review
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.
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat
Edmunds Value
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
The 2017 Volkswagen Passat earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 3.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available Volkswagen Passat 2017 Submodel Types: Sedan, Diesel, Wagon
Available Trims: SE PZEV, S, S PZEV, SE, Wolfsburg Edition PZEV, SEL Premium, GLS 1.8T, SEL Premium PZEV, TDI SE, 2.0T, Komfort, TDI SEL Premium, SE w/Technology, V6 SEL Premium, GLX, GLX 4Motion, Limited Edition PZEV, SEL PZEV, R-Line, Wolfsburg Edition, Sport PZEV, R-Line PZEV w/Comfort Package, GLS V6, V6 SE, Value Edition, 3.6, GLX V6, Lux, 1.8T Sport PZEV, 2.0T Wolfsburg Edition, 3.6 4Motion, Base, Komfort PZEV, Limited Edition, Turbo, GL, SE PZEV w/Technology, SEL, GL TDI, GLX V6 4Motion, VR6 4Motion, GLS 1.8T 4Motion, GLS TDI, R-Line PZEV, Sport, 1.8T Sport, GL 1.8T, GLS V6 4Motion, R-Line w/Comfort Package, VR6, W8 4Motion
Exterior Colors: Platinum Grey Metallic, Reflex Silver Metallic, Candy White, Black, Pure White, Deep Black Pearl, Night Blue Metallic, Tungsten Silver Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic, Black Uni, Fortana Red, Opera Red Metallic, Titanium Beige, Deep Black, Reflex Silver, Glacier Blue Metallic, United Gray, Urano Gray Metallic, Stonehenge Gray Metallic, Blue Anthracite, Island Gray Metallic, Silverstone Gray Metallic, Blue Graphite, Shadow Blue, Candy White w/Black Roof, Black Magic Pearl, Deep Black Metallic, Fresco Green Metallic, Reflex Silver w/Black Roof, Satin Silver Metallic, Shadow Blue Metallic, Colorado Red Pearl, Granite Green, Northern Green Metallic, Satin Silver, Tungsten Silver Metallic/Black Roof, Black Magic, Bright Green Pearlcoat, Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Blue Metallic, Colorado Red, Mocha Anthracite Metallic, Mocha Brown, Northern Green, Pine Green, Urano Gray, White Gold Metallic, Blue Anthracite PL, Indigo Blue Pearl, Mojave Beige Metallic, Pacific Blue Pearl, Tornado Red, Wheat Beige, Wheat Beige Metallic
Interior Colors: Titan Black leatherette, Titan Black cloth, Titan Black leather, Beige leatherette, Titan Black leather/sueded microfiber, Cornsilk Beige leatherette, Moonrock Gray cloth, Black leatherette, Moonrock leatherette, Black premium leather, Black, Cornsilk Beige leather, Cornsilk Beige w/Brown Piping leatherette, Gray, Moonrock Gray leatherette, Moonrock Gray w/Quartz Piping leatherette, Pure Beige premium leather, Beige, Cornsilk Beige cloth, Moonrock Gray leather, Beige leather/sueded microfiber, Moonrock Gray/Titan Black leatherette, Cornsilk Beige leather/sueded microfiber, Pure Beige leatherette, Classic Gray leatherette, Moonrock cloth, Beige leather, Classic Gray premium leather, Black leather, Cornsilk/Titan Black leatherette, Black/Gray leatherette, Moonrock Gray leather/sueded microfiber, Moonrock leather/sueded microfiber, Anthracite, Beige/Black leatherette, Moonrock leather
Popular Features: Rear Bench Seats, Trip Computer, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Stability Control, Tire Pressure Warning, Aux Audio Inputs, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Post-collision safety system, Bluetooth, Power Driver Seat, Heated seats, Back-up camera, Multi-Zone Climate Control, Sunroof/Moonroof, Auto Climate Control, Alarm, USB Inputs, Pre-collision safety system, Navigation, Keyless Entry/Start, Remote Start, Blind Spot Monitoring, Adaptive Cruise Control, Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Leather Seats, Upgraded Headlights, Power Liftgate/Trunk, Parking sensors, Electronic Folding Mirrors, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, AWD/4WD, Upgraded Stereo
Engine/Mechanics: 4, 5, 6, 8 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC, AUTOMATED_MANUAL, MANUAL
Fuel Types: regular unleaded, premium unleaded (required), premium unleaded (recommended), diesel
Drivetrains: front wheel drive, all wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
