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.
Roomy and Comfy!
tweetconn, 12/15/2020
updated 05/13/2024
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
31 of 32 people found this review helpful
I bought my new 2020 Passat SE in September. I had wanted a Passat for some time. I chose the Platinum Gray Metallic color. The car is very roomy with lots of legroom even in the rear seating area. There are many safety features; lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, backup camera, adaptive cruise control, etc. To my surprise, my car insurance premium actually went down because of them. I like the engine temperature guage (which my 2014 Jetta didn't have) and the torque converted 6 speed automatic transmission. The gas pedal is very responsive and the power from the 2.0 TSI engine is good. Brakes are very responsive. The car handles well and has the typical German car feel. I have done better than the 34 mpg highway mileage rating of 34 mpg. I average 36 on the highway and 32mpg in and around town. My only dislike is that it does not have a CD player, but the Apple Carplay feature helps to make up for that. I intend to cut the oil change interval in half and change the oil every 5000 miles. (It is important to use synthetic oil in turbo motors.) I hope to keep this car for a long time. I also got a great deal, by paying $6000 below MSRP! At almost 41,000 mile mark my Passat is running well. The original Nexen tires have plenty of tread left and should at least pass the 50,000 mile mark. Under ideal conditions I have achieved 41 miles per gallon on the highway. No mechanical issues so far.
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Great family car that won’t break the bank
Paul, 08/17/2019
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
40 of 42 people found this review helpful
No, it’s not a BMW, Audi, or Porsche (although some reviewers think it should be though). The Passat is comfortable, easy (and sometimes fun) to drive, reliable, and affordable (compared to the Japanese competition). Positives: It has plenty of rear seat leg room and a spacious trunk (way more than my 2010 Honda Accord had). Controls are accessible and easy to use. The display screen is I guess smaller than others but I really don’t want a 15” laptop screen sitting on my dashboard so it works for me. The seating is very comfortable and supportive. Steering is responsive and the car is very maneuverable. In sport mode or manual tiptronic mode, the car can perform well off the starting line and accelerates smoothly. The warranty is also excellent. Road noise is a bit pronounced on highways but surface quality has a lot to do with that (I also suspect a change in tires will fix this when I’m ready for a new set). The transmission is a bit jerky at slow stop and go speeds due to the gas-saving 6 speed transmission. I have also experienced strange issues with Apple CarPlay but using an actual Apple USB cable fixed that. All said, I’m happy with my Passat and look forward to driving it as our family car for years to come.
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2020 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
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Still loving it - Wonderful car and great value
Wayne D., 11/14/2019
updated 05/15/2020
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
I've owned my 2019 VW Passat Wolfsburg Edition for more than six months and I am still loving it. It is a wonderful car. It is exceptionally roomy, responsive and agile to drive, and a tremendous value. The included active safety features (blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic monitor and back up camera) greatly increase safety. It has an elegant, yet understated and conservative appearance which I prefer in a car. Contrary to some reviews I have read, I do not find this car to be any noisier than other similarly priced and sized vehicles. Indeed, it is quieter than many similarly priced cars. It's a great car for the price!
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Great car and good $ per Value
O, 12/21/2020
2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful
Looking for a family car that fits taller than average people, it's the best. My kids are 6.3 and 6.0, and I am 6.0 and have a great room in the back with plenty of room on both the driver and front passenger side. The power is a bit on the low end of the low RPM range, but it has good performance in the higher RPM ranges once you punch it. Good MPG. I get 30 - 33+ on the highway at 70 MPH. I will be using it to go skiing in the winter, and a rear folding seat is a good option for skis and gear.
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LOVE MY PASSAT
JEEPserviceSucks, 05/03/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I now have almost 10k miles on my Passat R Line. I get amazing service with free loaners, car washes etc from every dealership I have been too. No problems at all with my car. I have averaged 28 MPG combined city and highway with a lead foot. On regular unleaded as well. I am a big guy. 6'3" over 300lbs with very wide shoulders as I have to have a 54 long suit and I have plenty of room and the back seat is huge as is the trunk. For the money not a better car on the road. This is my run around car as I also have a big diesel truck. Love it.
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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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Yes, but.....
David Emrich, 09/27/2020
2020 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
I had a 2014 Passat that I hated when I first drove it. But then I adjusted the steering wheel, and seat, and thought, oh. When I bought it, I felt terrible driving it home. I thought I’d made a mistake. It felt like a cheap rental car. But then I got used to it, and I loved it. Ditto this one. I love the motor. So much fun to drive. But it does shake when it warms up. Misses. Salesman says his Jetta does the same thing. 1,100 rpm, then 600 once it’s warmed up. Smooth. You can nit pick this car, but the gestalt of the experience supplants that for me. The sum is greater than the individual pieces.
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Great Car, I have absolutely no complains
Stephan, 10/22/2019
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful
I love my 2019 Passat Wolfsburg Edition. It drives and handles prefect. On the Highway, I don’t have loud noises. It’s a very pleased ride. Why don’t you see a VW Dealer and take him on the highway. Maybe something wrong with the door gaskets .... ? If I compare the ride on the highway with the 2017 Subaru Outback from my Wife, that’s a lot more wind noise, engine noise. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Subaru, I just what to mention it. Test ride the car and see for yourself. I would buy one anytime again and would recommend it to friends and family.
Buyer beware
Remorseful, 09/15/2020
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
34 of 45 people found this review helpful
I have owned the car for just over 3 weeks. I now have 2400 miles on it, having taken a trip to Florida last week. There are some pluses. The air conditioning is ice cold. The gas mileage on the highway is better than the ratings. The standard radio is impressive for its sound quality. The car does have long legs, and highway miles go by easily. But had I known of the issues I have encountered, I never would have purchased the car. The alignment is off, pulling the car to the right. I had already driven another Passat at a different dealer, and honestly did not think I would have any issues, so I did not test drive this car. I wanted to have the alignment looked into when I was in Florida, but the dealer told me that all costs would have to be covered by me. Needless to say, I did not go that route. Once back home, I had to call VW Cares to set up an appointment at the selling dealer to have it looked at. This is to be done tomorrow. The grille is not aligned properly. The gaps between it and the hood and headlights differ from side to side. Yet relative to the bumper, things look okay. The passenger side rear door is not aligned flush with the fender or the front door, standing proud of the fender, and set a bit deeper than the front door. The driver's side is fine. The car does not have a sunroof. Yet it was built with the control wheel in the headliner, which operates the sunroof. Sealant applications under the hood and in the trunk area are sloppy and clearly not applied in a controlled manner. Dash creaks have surfaced. The driver's door and trunk sound like an old screen door hinge that has not been lubricated in years when they are opened and closed. In short, I have to believe that quality controls or tooling on the assembly line in Chattanooga are sadly lacking. Oh, and this car was built shortly after the factory re-opened following the pandemic shutdown. So, I consider mine to be a Covid vehicle. I worked in a production environment, and I know how factories were re-started, with smaller crews, putting operators in positions that they were not familiar with. My guess is that a car built earlier in the model run would have been superior.
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Great midsize sedan
Gokhan.Kamber, 05/08/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2020 Passat S model in October 2020 for only $17,500. Great value for this midsize sedan. It drives very well. It has enhanced torgue with 2.0 Turbo engine. It is very roomy and has good standard safety feautures. I drove it with 120 mph on the highway without hearing any noise and vibration. I also love it's super size roomy trunk. It has 4 years 50,000 warranty which has more than competitors except Hyundai Sonata. It also has good gas milage.
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Disappointed! German cars are better?
FrankD, 01/02/2022
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased this vehicle new. The vehicle is down on power. The engine is extremely noisy. Does VW know what sound insulation is? Lots of road noise from the tires. The best part of the vehicle is the interior space for tall people and the interior seating material is durable. Buy a Toyota Camry I've had two with no issues. German cars are better? Not the Passat! VW needs to improve this vehicle. This vehicle has a place in the market with some engineering changes. Now that all manufacturers are playing follow the leader to E car land. VW will not spend a nickel to improve an internal combustible model.
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This car is loud!
Susan Murphy, 06/14/2019
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
23 of 36 people found this review helpful
I wish I had driven this at highway speed before purchasing. The road noise inside the cabin is just terrible. To the point where after just 600 miles I want to trade the car in for something else. The engine is also loud. Radio sounds tinny and controls are cheap plastic. Wish I hadn't gone down this road.
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Good look and feel
Bobby M, 04/28/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
My wife and I bought the 2020 Passat SEL a year ago at the beginning of the pandemic. In that year we have come to really enjoy the look and feel of the drive. The pluses: * Huge trunk space * huge back seat with back seat leg warmers * Automatic mirrors, * Passenger side power seats * easy and smooth ride * quiet ride unlike previous years models, literally really quiet the Bad * carnet wasn't installed, I was suppose to get 5 years free but they ended up not having it installed even thou I have the buttons for it. It is being installed tomorrow, a little more than a year since I bought it. * touch screen tech is sooo small for today's standards. They couldn't put in a 9 inch screen? * The car is slow to accelerate, you really have to step on the gas to get going. * Gas Mileage on the highway is rather fantastic, in the city, expect 23-24, on the highway, 35. The carnet thing was a huge bummer, but I would recommend this car.
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Road noise unacceptable
FRANCIS J. TEPEDINO, 05/30/2019
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
19 of 33 people found this review helpful
My 2019 Passat is unacceptably noisey in the cabin
Good overall but needs a refresh terrible in snow!
Miller, 03/17/2022
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Passat and my 3rd VW. The ride is smooth and the mileage is very good. I average 29 MPG combined. The 2.0 is not as responsive as the 1.8L I had in my previous Passat and the transmission in this one is sluggish. It always seems to be searching for the right gear. I'm not a big Tech guy and this car offers far less in the way of safety features and technology than it's competitors. Still, it has several of the features I wanted offering Bluetooth, Apple car play, a decent size touchscreen (which is very responsive and always works), heated seats, remote unlock and a backup camera. The ride is smooth however, the front seats are large and very uncomfortable for shorter drivers. I'm 5'-6" and the edge of the drivers seat is constantly poking me in the back of my leg. This makes for a very uncomfortable ride, especially on long drives. Taller people will be extremely comfortable in these seats. As much as I like this car, if I had it to do over again I wouldn't buy it. In fact, I have owned it for about 18 months and I am going to trade it for something else. I really wish it had AWD, remote start and more comfortable (shorter) seats. This car is THE worst vehicle I have ever owned when it comes to driving in the snow!! I know what you are thinking, "just buy winter tires". It's not just the tires. The main issue is that you can't turn off the traction control system and when you try to pick up speed to go up a hill and the wheels spin a bit, the revs are limited and traction control kicks in which actually prevents the car from gaining momentum. Most other cars allow you to turn off the traction control but not this one. My last complaint would be the positioning of the backup camera. It's mounted right under the lip of the trunk and when it rains the water drips off of the trunk and on to the camera making it impossible to see when backing up. My recommendation is to make sure you take a good long test drive before you buy this vehicle. The ride and the MPG are great but you need to determine for yourself if the engine/transmission combination and the seats feel right to you. I will also add that at the 33,000 mile mark I have had no issues whatsoever with this car. I am meticulous about maintenance and getting it serviced regularly and I don't drive it hard so I'm guessing those things all help. However, I will be looking for an AWD vehicle with remote start and more comfortable seats in the next few weeks.
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A Solid Value
tweetconn, 12/15/2021
updated 12/19/2022
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2020 Passat SE about 2 years ago. The current odometer reading is 22,000 miles. The outside is the same Platinum Gray Metallic color that my dad's 2006 Jetta was. The interior is black. The interior is very roomy with lots of legroom. I am 6'1" tall so I appreciate that! My mileage in and around town averages a consistant 33 mpg. I have reached 40 miles per gallon on the highway occasionally. The 18.6 gallon gas tank give you well over 600 miles of range, making it possible to get gas every two weeks. The ride is smooth. There is no wind noise at speed. I also like the 2.0 TSI engine coupled to the 6-speed Tiptronic transmission. Shifts are always smooth. I wish it still had a CD player but then I never have been a "cutting edge" type. The Infotainment system couples up to my Apple phone and Pandora and I enjoy that as well as the Satellite Radio. The Passat looks like I spent more for the car than I did. I got it for $6000 below MSRP! My car insurance actually went down because of features like blind spot monitoring, rain activated windshield wipers, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control and the backup camera, all standard! It does not have the auto stop start feature, which I'm glad of. All in all, a nice package and a soild value. My car continues to be trouble free. I really appreciate the heated seat this winter!
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Great Car for the money!
Artie, 08/18/2019
2019 Volkswagen Passat SE R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
5 of 8 people found this review helpful
Perfect car, only fault is no memory seats/mirrors,or cool seats!
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Issues after issues
Kevin, 05/16/2020
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
4 of 7 people found this review helpful
I’ve had the car maybe a year now maybe a little more. I’ve had electrical issues since week one. First the rear windows would go up close then go back down on their own. Then on the highway the car lost power and went into limp mode. Holding 40 mph for no reason. I had to pull over I shut it off and let the car reset. Started again and she was fine. Then did it again. No check engine lights nothing just falling on its face. Dash lights flickering and now today I lost all dash and touch screen. Just black no gauges pulled over and lo and behold fine again. The touch screen seems to always crash, back up cam goes out then is fine, then the touchscreen goes into this like pixelated screen of a mess. Absolutely horrid and don’t feel safe driving it.
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Lemon
Mike- Menifee , 08/29/2019
updated 03/06/2024
2019 Volkswagen Passat SE R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
10 of 22 people found this review helpful
Remote start doesn’t work, no current solutions to fix it, navigation system goes dark, very loud ride, you need the music 1/2 way to max in order to drown out the road noise, skip this car folks, it's a lemon
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Comfortable but dangerous
Jim, 03/09/2020
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
5 of 11 people found this review helpful
The 2019 Passat is comfortable and rides OK, but you never know what to expect when you accelerate from a stop. When you press on the gas pedal it will either lunge forward and slow, rev up to 5K RPM's in each of the first two gears as it creeps across and intersection, or just sort of noisily rears back and takes off. If you like dangerous surprises when you take off, this drive train is for you. Check this out before you buy or lease.
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Underwhelmed
Richard Maina, 09/22/2020
updated 09/24/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
9 of 22 people found this review helpful
For a car with a $ 33000 msrp it rides like a cheaper car. Transmission shifts erratically and has many features that are very complicated!
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WAY too many dumb ass-istants
Dennis, 07/16/2019
updated 07/26/2024
2019 Volkswagen Passat SE R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
14 of 41 people found this review helpful
I am EXTREEMLY disappointed with the above car I purchase almost two months ago. The front dumbass-itants cannot be disabled despite the fact that it is shown on the dash to be disabled, if someone passes me and cuts to close (according to the assistants) in front of me, the car with automatically brakes, If your mother (VW) thinks you're going to fast in a corner it automatically brakes the car NOT NECCESSARY!! This is just a scam to generate revenue for spare parts and service because we all know everyone in Wolfsburg is living in a van down by the river! If the front grill, dumbass-istants get covered with snow the cruise control is INABLED!! Again these are ways for VW to generate $$$$$ for spare parts and service! With regard to the GPS, smoke signals and carrier pigeons are faster and more accurate, VW should put their big boy pants on and install Google maps. I hope I'm wrong but I really believe that their are a lot of employees in Wolfsburg on opioids because you wouldn't design a car to function like this unless you were on narcotics. If you need all of these dumbass-istants you should not be driving a car. I know it snows in Germany. If you're bring a takeout pizza home make sure you put it in the back seat as the sensors think it is a person, not even babies weigh as much as a HUGE (as said by Bernie Sanders) pizza!
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Passat, just OK
Paul Cee, 04/07/2023
updated 01/24/2025
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had this vehicle for about 3.5 years. I bought it from a 2nd owner, through a car dealer (vehicle was a Hertz rental unit). I've put about 30K miles on it and this Passat has done well. No major issues. Have done all the maintenance through VW (they make it easy, emailing virtual coupons directly to me for all maintenance - oil changes and tune-ups). The dealer network is plentiful, so they all compete with these emailed coupons. The OEM tires wore well, I just replaced them with the next higher grade 18-inch Continentals. Vehicle still drives smoothly. Although, shifting is a bid more "jerky", especially at cold start, then seems to even out. I have put on the record about the tranny "choppiness" at cold start, just in case there is an issue in the future. The 72K miles/6-year VW warranty is a good one. Haven't had to use it yet. My only gripe I have is an intermittent issue with the radio/CD system. From time to time it just shuts off and takes numerous re-starts to reset the power. Of course, when I take it in to VW, it never manifests this issue. But this too, is on the record for future issues. I got a great deal when I bought it less than a year old. So, this has been a great investment, without having to take it in the shorts for depreciation. I would purchase again but this model/Passat has been obsoleted and no longer offered/available It's kind of restored my faith in the VW product. Edit - 1/22/24 - Still performing well at 51K miles. Transmission still slips intermittently but I still got on my service record, even though VW says this is 'normal'. Radio continues to blank out/inop intermittently, which is more a PITA than anything else. I put new tires/Conti's on it and road noise has lessened a bit. No real issues. I'm averaging just over 30-mpg, mostly highway driving, using regular unleaded. Oil changes have risen to over one-hundred bucks but I wait until they go on sale [VW mails me deals factory oil changes for 80-bucks]. I'd buy this vehicle again, if they made it [VW discontinued this model/Passat in 2021]. Edit - 1/23/25 Now have just over 57K miles on the odo. Still no major issues/problems. Radio still blanks out but only occasionally and then it always resets and comes back on - weird. Tranny also still slips. It's a bit more prevalent in occurrence and sound. I suspect, at some point, I will have an issue - so, to that end, I'm looking to replace this vehicle before my warranty expires [soon]. Just about everything else if fine. I'm still getting around 30mpg, using regular unleaded. One other thing I've noticed, small item, is the 'premium wheels' are delaminating/paint cracking/peeling. Most of this vehicle has performed well but this tranny slip is disconcerting. I think it's a flaw in the mechanism, unfortunately.
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Most Bang for the Buck
Pcrottygator , 01/20/2023
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Bought low mileage certified Passat SE. Seats look like leather but are much more durable. Original tires are a little noisy. Plan to upgrade tires and shocks when needed. I like a firmer ride so will probably buy Bilsteins later. Happy with purchase. Car has been reliable, fuel efficient. I will be changing oil at 6 months/ 6,000 miles for long life. 1 yr/ 10000 miles is too long for a turbo engine. Love the clean styling and bright LED headlights.
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My car of choice
Edna Siltman, Mason City, IL, 05/07/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
My first Passat was a 2008, driven to 230,000 miles. I knew I would eventually own another so when I found this 2020 Passat it was inevitable. Very pleased with the engineering and handling as well as overall look and luxury. Thank you Volkswagen.
Too bad
Lewis, 10/23/2020
2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
10 of 51 people found this review helpful
Hello Not long ago, Volkswagen purchased a new 20-year Passat R line with finance. Since August, my existing car broke down, so I was thinking about buying it, but I heard that there is a Korean dealer in Atlanta because I like Volkswagen, so we talked about it and thought about buying it. My grandfather passed away from late September to October, so I went to Korea in a hurry, but as I was re-entering Atlanta from Korea on Saturday, the 10th, I visited by Atlanta Volkswagen dealership to buy a car. I was told to write the contract first because the car I liked on the Internet was not stocked yet, so I test-drive the car with the same color option trim and bought it at the end of 5 hours and came back to Montgomery, Alabama. I had too much luggage. I came back home feeling complacent because I needed to adjust to the time difference and because I was in such a hurry to leave the company for a long time, and because I was in a test drive. When I arrived at home and I checked the exterior and interior of the car, and found that the car was not able to be restored with black marks and A-pillar scratch trunk hinges. I've been commuting to and from work, so the tire balance and wheel alignment didn't fit at all. When I told the dealer these facts because the rear parking aid (alarm) or the front vehicle operation brake (automatic deceleration) does not work properly and the wind noise or road noise is so severe if it exceeds 50 miles per hour, he was lucky in two hours, so he finished the inspection quickly and he said the Passat car was perfect . When I will come to Atlanta, he said he'd test-drive with me. What's more disgusting is that it's my first time buying a new car, so I didn't know the other options (accessories), so I thought it was the original condition that my car had no tints and leather protectors. So I asked the dealer how much tint it was and he said 399 dollars. Yeah, well, I thought that it's a new car, so I had to invest. But when I got home, I looked at the contract and found out that it should have basic tanning and leather seat protection. When I called the dealer, he said he was mistaken. He said he would do it when I will come up to Atlanta because of a car problem and tinting. I am so angry now and I think that I have no eye for people, not because of the Korean sentiment but because of the fact that there are a lot of discounts when purchasing cars in the U.S. since it is the end of the year with Corona. I'm glad I'm working in the quality department in the car manufacturing industry and my coworkers are familiar with cars. I almost fell for it thinking that I had a bad luck with the car I've written down all these facts, but can I get a refund or a car exchange if I tell Volkswagen headquarters about my claim or complaint? I feel so bad and I feel bad and annoyed when I ride a new car every day. Help me. The trim in the rear seat’s door does not fit at all and there are too many sealers in the driver's compartment. Obviously, this car has not been inspected properly or is a defective vehicle.
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Satisfied haven't had car long enough
Lawrence Digsby, 01/15/2019
2019 Volkswagen Passat SE R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
3 of 24 people found this review helpful
Haven't had car to be sure of my feelings. So far I am satisfied.
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Luxury Touches and Sporty Look
SchuyGuy86, 09/27/2023
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned a used Volkswagen Passat 2.0T Wolfsburg Edition for a little over 3 years now. After roughly 40,000 miles, it has stood the ultimate test of 2nd ownership. THe bronze color is STUNNING, most of the dealerships I go to compliment on its sheen and uniqueness. Its zippy when you need it to be, very beneficial in urban highway on-ramps when you need it most. Handles turns and quick movements without a hitch. The interior feels elevated and classy. I get compliments on the car all the time. Leather seats are durable and easy to clean. All the touch points are soft touch material and feels nice to the touch. Only interior complaint I have is climate control is a little lackluster and slow to get to warm or cold temps quickly. Technology is good. It has modern necessities like a touch screen and Carplay/Android Auto. All the computer reads you may need. A few downfalls though, occasionally Carplay will freeze up or glitch out unexpectedly, not sure if its a car issue or connectivity in general but it does require a restart of the infotainment center by holding the power button to restart. One convenience I miss is a digital tire-pressure reading in the computer readings. Only issue I have had is an AC Compressor that needed replaced, which was covered under the certified warranty.
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Love it/Hate it relationship with my 19 SE R-line
Cars n Stuff, 02/15/2025
2019 Volkswagen Passat SE R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Passat, the first being a CPO 2016 SE w Tech package. That car was unfortunately totaled when I was rear ended by a pick up truck after owning it for only a month. The car's safety convinced me to later get another, which is my current 2019 SE R-Line. But as my title indicates, this car does a lot of things well but also can make you want to get rid of it. The pros mimic what most people say positively about this car. It handles like a German sedan should; a good looking exterior; is one of the roomiest in its class with great rear legroom and an airy interior; good visibility, non-intrusive safety tech; no annoying start/stop like most VW products; and my favorite of all is the fuel economy and fuel range with the big 18.5 tank and 34 average hwy mpg. However, there are quite a few things that I am not happy with like the many mechanical issues that should not be happening before 50,000 miles. Examples: warped plastic oil pan, leaking oil gaskets/sensors, Infotainment system malfunctions (on my 3rd); electro steering rack failure, fuel tank noises; overhead console parts breaking; evaporator core replaced; strut/strut mount noises and clunks; leatherette gets very hot in summer and you will stick to it even with the a/c on full blast, hands free trunk opener works when it wants to which is almost never; remote start is the type that shuts off when you open the door; when you let off the brake at a light the drivetrain shudders (my 2016 did this also). I'm sure some will say they don't have any of the problems I have, well you're lucky then. Unfortunately, this will be my LAST VW product I ever own.
Upgrade
Trjoel, 02/18/2023
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had a 2014 Passat TDI SEL. Was my first VW and I absolutely loved it. I sold it because I was nearing 90k miles and I didn’t wanna deal with any problems with DPF. That car was also losing all of its warranties. Warranties that saved me thousands, that car had a problem every year. But I did love her. I bought a red 2020 Passat SEL. This car is drastically different on the outside but the inside is the same old Passat we love. It doesn’t bother me, feels a little nostalgic. This car has many upgrades from the 2014 (blind spot, lane assist, automatic high beams, heated rear seats, parking sensors, automated cruise control etc). But two things that really surprised me are the fact that this car uses a prop rod to hold up the hood, and the fuel door doesn’t lock when the car is locked. What gives? Those were some of my favorite parts about my old vehicle. Guess the power folding mirrors and easy open kick trunk makes up for it. Also feels great to finally have LED headlights. So bright. They even do the little dance when you turn the vehicle on.
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We love it!
Elma, 10/13/2024
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car was in excellent condition inside and out.
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Underrated Beauty
J C Corales , 12/26/2024
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Vehicle performs better than I expected. Fuel consumption is above average; Japanese brands and smaller counterparts are overrated compared with this sedan.
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Not a family friendly vehicle
Andrewryan3, 02/24/2022
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
No room for more than a family of 3 normal size people
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A nice ride.....
SenorBoston, 12/24/2020
2019 Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this Passat (Wolfsburg Ed.), previously owned (it had 23K miles on it, so it was driven). It now has 28K miles, so I've driven it and can now give this review. I find it a great pleasure to drive. It's very smooth ride is luxurious but not over the top soft, it does have great road feel. The 2.0L turbo, accelerates decently and you can merge onto the fwy. pretty effortlessly. The tranny (in auto mode) does slightly struggle finding the gears up thru 3rd, then moves on nicely. It's not so much a delay, than it is a choppiness of shifting. Not major but slight, you do notice it but it's not obtrusive. The tranny in sport/DSG mode is much smoother, I use it often. The seating is abundant and I easily fit 5 comfortably. The sight-lines out the vehicle are competent and the pillars are not in the way or cause blind spots. I love the moonroof because it has many choices in how you deploy it. I also like the stereo (8 speakers), so I can play my jazz-fusion music loud. The temp compressor is competent in any mode (A/C or heat). I often use the heated (3-way) seats instead of the heater. The only thing that bothers me with this Passat is the way the diagnostics (clearing oil changes/service intervals) is set up. To use it, is like reading a German train schedule. I had to view how to reset these things on-line/web a couple of times before I finally got it. The owners manual sucks at describing many things but this is almost impossible to comprehend and decipher. It came with Conti tires, which are a terrible match for this vehicle. I'll be replacing them soon with either Yoko's or Pirelli's. With 18" wheels, the Conti's are loud/noisey, even on smooth roads. They whine at highway speeds. I fear as they wear more, they'll get louder. I may pre-emptively replace them earlier than their 60K (?) life. But they do seem to wear well, so far. Overall, a very competent vehicle, especially with the warranty (bumper to bumper 6-yrs or 72K miles, whichever comes 1st). Can't beat that!
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