Used 2018 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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Be cautious
Robbie , 05/24/2019
2018 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
While overall this car is very fun to drive it has some quirks that are very very annoying. First off the electronics steering is lifeless. Second it was misaligned from the factory and after two alignments it is still not corrected. The automatic braking and active cruise control cannot be disengaged even though they claim to be disengaged. If you’re going around the corner and there is a car in front of you in the next lane the car will slam on the brakes as if you were about to rear end someone and could potentially cause a crash. This has happened to me three times and I can get the same results consistently now. The interior looks nice but feels cheap, and the seats are horribly uncomfortable. The stereo sounds kind of weird at first but once it’s broken in is very nice. The body role is substantial but it’s still very nimble and quick, but does not have enough traction. The traction control is very jerky also. While it may be one of the best cars for the money I don’t think I would buy another one, My 2004 Passat was 100 times the car this one is.
Old VW owner
Dave, 06/02/2018
updated 12/04/2020
2018 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Had this one a month and love it. My 6th VW over over 45 years and it has been fantastic. Comfortable yet fun to drive.
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2018 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
3 of 26 listings
- R-Line SedanMSRP: N/A14 mi away
- SEL Premium SedanMSRP: $16,990In-stock online
- R-Line SedanMSRP: $11,637In-stock online
See all 26 listings
Good grief, Charlie Brown...
MsDogMom, 03/01/2019
2018 Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
This past November/December/January my car spent 46-days in the repair bay of my dealership's service department. When the exterior temperature dropped below 50 degrees the only door I could unlock was the driver's door; the three passenger doors would not unlock, the trunk would not open (regardless of using the key fob, foot kick or interior release button), the windshield washer was inoperable; and I could not put gas in the car because the gas fuel filler cover would not unlock. I was in a remote area of Colorado when these issues first happened. I was extremely unhappy and inconcenienced because the Rocky Mountain Range was in front of me and an empty gas tank staring back at me in MY BRAND NEW CAR. I had to wait until the temperature rose above 50 degrees to refuel my car. I phoned VW and was told they'd never heard of such issues and they had no idea how to fix my problem and not much sympathy. The navigation system is balky and antiquated; the interior door panels vibrate when the sound system is turned up beyond a very low level, and sometimes the only thing the infotainment screen will show is the VW emblem then, for no apparent reason, the navigation screen will appear. I HATE AND DO NOT TRUST THIS CAR.
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Looking for a classic American sedan? This is it.
GN_Mike, 02/08/2020
2018 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I've now owned my 2018 VW Passat SE for about a year-and-a-half and 18,000 miles. I can say that for the most part, the Edmunds review is correct. If you want a conservatively-styled sedan with lots of space for not much money, this is it. Those who still like the simple, clean styling and interior of older American sedans will appreciate this car. PROS: This car excels as a highway cruiser. It is roomy, quiet, rides smoothly, and gets excellent fuel economy. I'm getting about 36 mpg average with mostly highway driving at interstate speeds, which is remarkable for such a large car. If your primary driving is long highway slogs, this is a great choice. The back seat and trunk are very large. We can easily install my daughter's car seat in the rear without the need to move either front seat forward. The trunk can easily swallow a week's worth of luggage and baby equipment. The SD card slot is great for playing my personal music collection on long journeys. And I like that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both included, since my car does not have navigation. CONS: I disagree with Edmunds in that I don't find the 2.0L turbo engine to be particularly powerful. When merging onto an interstate, I sometimes find myself wanting more. Every other manufacturer gets 200 to 260 horsepower out of their turbocharged 2.0L engines - why does this engine only make 174 horsepower? The transmission gear ratios and calibration sometimes drive me crazy. 1st gear is incredibly low to give the sensation of brisk acceleration. So, when you leave a stop sign, you accelerate briskly for about 10 feet (literally) and then feel a long pause in power delivery half-way through the intersection as the car changes gears into 2nd. The transmission "Sport" mode helps, but I find that it then winds the engine out too far before shifting. Somewhere in between the standard and "sport" modes would be perfect. I also think the one important thing missing from the SE trim level is an auto dimming mirror - I miss that feature, especially with all of the SUV's and trucks that shine their headlights into my rear windwo. I have had a few problems with the infotainment system "locking up" when connecting/disconnecting to my older iPhone - I had to completely shut-off the car and wait for 20 seconds to restart before the system would reboot. I haven't noticed these problems with my newer Android based phone. Overall cost of ownership has been low - only things so far have been gas and one oil change/tire rotation. In summary, if you are looking for a large, comfy highway cruiser that offers a large amount of space for not much money, this is a good choice. If true "German handling" and power are important to you, there are better choices.
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It's Not a Lexus
Marilyn, 04/12/2018
2018 Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
10 of 14 people found this review helpful
Coming off a bad accident in which I totaled my Lexus 350 ES, I was looking for all the safety features I could get, and the VW Passat had them. It seems to be a strong, reliable vehicle, but I've only had it for three weeks. Gas mileage is great.The brakes grab quickly, so you have to get used to them. I'm still learning all the bells and whistles, but the basics of windshield wipers, lights, gas cap, etc. are easy enough. The ride is very stiff, as in most German cars, which is a big adjustment for me after driving Lexus sedans for 12 years, but it's a fun ride. So far I'm pleased with the vehicle; ask me again in a year or two.
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