Used 2020 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Passat, so we've included reviews for other years of the Passat since its last redesign.
Last One
Florida W, 11/21/2019
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
This car represents the last revision of the current body style before the introduction of the significantly updated 2020 model. As a result, VW felt it necessary to prune down the model lineup for 2019 in preparation for the new look. I didn't mind, as there are better deals on outgoing models at the end of the model year. Mine was the last 2019 Passat that the dealer had in stock, and luckily it was a color I liked. I previously owned a 2012 Passat and really loved its timeless elegant styling, spacious cabin, large trunk, quiet ride and competent handling. My lease on a SUV was ending so I thought I would give the Wolfsburg Edition with the Sunroof and Tire/Wheel Package a look. The test drive felt like wearing a comfortable old pair of shoes. It had excellent acceleration, a quiet ride and the EPA fuel efficiency looked excellent. The new technology added to the Passat since my 2012 was an added bonus. I'm very pleased with the car!
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Not as hoped for, not what I paid for
I 95 commuter, 07/04/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Previously I owned a Passat wagon for 6 years, leased 2 CCs and am about to end a lease on a 2018 Passat SEL which was the top of the line Passat at the time - that's 15 years with VW. Though the Passat is a larger sedan for its class, sits higher and is less expensive than its cousin the Audi A4, my 3 year experience has been disappointing overall. Though it came loaded with options, its performance and the functionality of those extra options have been inconsistent. This car was made in TN, not Germany. I had no issues with the German made VW's. This Passats turbo needed replacing after 1 year - yes it was covered by warranty, yet for many months I experienced a lackluster drive, and it has never been consistently powerful since. To fold down the rear seats, you must pop the trunk to pull two seat release tabs which are in an inconvenient position- they should be on the top of the rear seats, not in the trunk, and the left side never worked consistently. The heated mirrors did not work. The push engine start button I learned is covered with thin metal plating or foil which one day had literally peeled into a triangular shape and cut my finger. This occurred during early Covid shut down, so I opted to cover the button with 5-6 layers of glass tape, which still remain. I never write reviews, but thought buyers should be aware. It's time to lease again, and I am looking elsewhere.
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Comfortable Cruiser
BRM, 03/03/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I was somewhat hesitant about buying a car based on such a...mature platform....but I the looks of the R-Line with the 2020 refresh were enough to at least make me want to test drive. Boy, was I surprised. Coming from a Tucson, it was nice to be back in a sedan and it handles like a dream. Suspension is great at smoothing out the ohio potholes, and the big R line wheels dont make it too firm. The driver assistance features work well, and are not terribly intrusive - adaptive cruise works especially well. The room inside is fantastic, and is actually more practical than my old suv. I can fit longer items in the back with seats down, and the rear legroom is NUTS. Overall, considering the nuts incentives that VW has on these, there was nothing close to it in terms of value and style. Some reviews mention odd transmission shifting, and while it can be occasionally slow to upshift, it is generally a non issue for me. The interior also gets complaints from people for being dated, but I like the layout and the simplicity of everything and not having a giant tablet stuck on top of the dash. Overall, great style and an excellent road trip car.
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Too many issues being a brand new car
Juan , 08/15/2022
updated 02/23/2023
2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful
My wife and i purchased two cars from VW of Ontario. I got the 2020 Jetta GLI and she got the 2020 Passat R-Line. We got decent deals but her car has been nothing but problems when it comes to electrical issues. 1st problem : car had approx 200 miles when it went back to the dealership. the car kept pulling card to the right. Initial thought was a bad alignment. went to the dealer and they claimed everything was in specs and that it was "normal". nothing normal if the car has a hard pull to the right when you let go of the steering wheel. eventually we got sick of arguing with them and we let it be... (issue is still present to this day) issue 2 : the radio keeps turning off unexpectedly and does not turn back on till the next day... took the car in with this issue and they replaced the radio module twice now.. but im still having these issues intermediately. issue 3 : the wipers come on unexpectedly even though they're set to off.. issue 4 : the AC in this vehicle completely shuts off when you hit slight to moderate highway bumps.. and refuses to turn back on for hours... (currently at VW getting a new radio and ac module.. issue 5: the forward collision warning activates even if im the only car in the highway.. ( still no solution from VW even though i have video showing the intermediate issue. issue 6: this cars info window (displays the speed in numbers) lags and displays in increments of 4... example ..."60MPH, 64MPH, 68MPH" unless we wait about 3 seconds in between.. drove another same year Passat and it did not have this issue... this car seems to be having some bad electrical issues that VW's keeps on failing to identify... aside from that the car is smooth and enjoyable to drive. ***UPDATE*** Car was returned to VW under the lemon law.
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Problems from the beginning
Fredrick Swenson, 07/26/2022
2020 Volkswagen Passat SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This is our fifth Passat in the current body style: (2 2013s-1 totaled in an accident and replaced), 1 2015, 1 2017, and the current one, a 2020. It has a more powerful engine than its 4-cylinder 2017 predecessor, but displayed surging at idle for the first 20,000 miles. Dealer said to use premium fuel, which helped some, but never really went away. At 27,000 miles all 4 fuel injectors and the knock sensor were replaced, and it's pretty good in that regard now. Runs okay on 88 octane. The shocks/struts were history before 15,000 miles. There is essentially no damping and It bounces all over the place. After 28,00 miles applying the brakes moderately aggressively on long downhills produced pronounced shuddering, and it has gotten progressively worse. It now shakes like a dump truck carrying a load of boulders. The dealer checked disc run-out, found a moderate amount, but claims brakes are not covered under warranty. This was after first (mis)-diagnosing it as overheating brake fluid, which they were willing to flush and replace for over $300. I declined. So, now I'm stuck with a car I'm paying almost $500/month for that bounces like a carnival ride and shakes like its coming apart under braking. It would be nice to think that Volkswagen cared enough about their reputation to at least attempt to find and implement a solution that would alleviate my feeling of frustration, but I'm not holding my breath.
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