While the 2022 Volkswagen Passat lacks personality and style, there's still a lot to like. It's comfortable and spacious. The interior is one of the biggest in the class, and the smooth ride and quiet interior remind you of its German origins. We just wish it was a little more fun to drive — the lackluster powertrain could use more power and refinement.
The Volkswagen Passat has been the German automaker's midsize sedan offering in the U.S. since 1989. Now in its fourth generation, the 2022 Passat will be the last sold on this side of the pond. The midsizer's demise is due in part to a shift in consumer preferences toward SUVs, but the Passat's decade-old platform certainly didn't help its case.
The Passat received a largely cosmetic update in 2020, but it also got some useful features including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite that, the aging Passat struggles to compete with newer sedans like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5, which all have newer in-car tech, a wider array of drivetrain choices, and a more exciting driving experience. The Passat does have a smooth ride and a large back seat, making it a viable choice if those are your priorities. Check out the in-depth evaluation in our Expert Rating to find out if the Volkswagen Passat is the car for you.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Average
7.6
out of 10
We drove the 2022 Volkswagen Passat on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Performance
7/10
How does the Passat drive? It's acceptable but nothing exceptional. The engine lacks punch, making the Passat one of the slowest vehicles in its class. And unlike much of the competition, there's no optional engine to improve performance. There's a delay when you step on the gas, and the transmission is eager to upshift, furthering the sense that there's just not much sizzle here. The Passat feels sluggish when passing on the highway.
Another issue is braking performance. In our testing, the Passat's panic-stopping distances were longer than average for a midsize sedan. An uneven pedal response makes coming to a smooth stop somewhat frustrating too. The situation is a little better when the road bends. Around turns, the Passat is smooth and composed. The steering lacks feedback, but it's light and quick, making it relatively easy to park and maneuver in tight spaces.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the Passat? Volkswagen errs on the side of plush. It delivers on comfort with a smooth ride that tunes out most imperfections in the road. Some drivers may prefer a firmer and sportier ride, but the Passat is plenty comfortable for the daily drive. The wide and supportive front seats help too. You might want more substantial padding from the Passat's seats, but the "relaxed-fit" shape still does a decent job of keeping you planted around turns.
The dual-zone climate control works great, with powerfully cold air conditioning and vents for rear passengers. The fans can be on the loud side when cranked up, but not obnoxiously so. Otherwise the Passat is relatively quiet with just a bit of tire noise on uneven surfaces.
Interior
7.5/10
How’s the interior? The Passat wins big on interior space, with plenty of room for both front and rear occupants. Legroom is particularly generous, except the center console can rub on the driver's knee. The long doors make getting in and out a breeze, though it might be tight in narrow parking spots. The seat and steering wheel offer a good amount of adjustment, a boon for both short and tall drivers. Decently sized windows and narrow roof pillars make it easy to see out of too.
The controls aren't as well sorted. While there are dedicated physical buttons for the climate system and shortcuts to the major menus for the touchscreen, the display itself is low and partially blocked by your hand when driving. It also forces you to take your eyes off the wheel for longer than we'd prefer. That said, the system infotainment system is easy to use. The menu structure is straightforward and easy to figure out without pulling out the manual.
Technology
8/10
How’s the tech? The Passat offers a decent amount of tech including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Integrated navigation is only available on the top-tier R-Line trim. It's easy to program and has on-screen controls that hide when you don't need them. Volkswagen also allows you to connect to your smartphone to check the fuel level or remotely start the car. We also like the Fender audio system's clean and bassy sound. Only lackluster voice controls hold it back.
The driver aids work well, with the adaptive cruise maintaining a decent gap in traffic and holding speeds downhill. The blind-spot monitor works well too, but the overly sensitive parking sensors were annoying. We also had an issue with the backup camera not always turning on.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? The Passat's trunk is wide and deep, and the 60/40-split folding rear seat goes flat, opening the space up further for large items. Up front, there are a few sizable bins and cubbies on the dash and in front of the shifter for small items. The doors have decent-size pockets for most water bottles.
Installing a car seat is relatively easy thanks to wide door openings, a big back seat and easily accessible car seat anchors. Even larger rear-facing seats should fit fine without sacrificing front seat room.
Fuel Economy
8/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Volkswagen Passat will get 28 mpg in combined driving (24 city/36 highway). That's decent but behind the class leaders by a few mpg. That said, we saw 30.9 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, which is better than we've seen in most of the similarly equipped competition and indicative that the EPA estimates are realistic.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Passat a good value? The price of a fully loaded Passat is right in line with the four-cylinder competition, and you get a lot of features and space for the price. The Passat is missing a few features available in the competition such as ventilated seats and a more powerful engine, but for the most part it's a well-equipped sedan. The interior isn't nearly as nice or premium as you'll find elsewhere, but the fit and finish is solid. Our test car had no noticeable build-quality issues.
Volkswagen's bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties cover four years/50,000 miles, pretty typical for the class. You do get three years/36,000 miles of roadside assistance and two years/20,000 miles of included maintenance.
Wildcard
6.5/10
The Passat lacks the charm and personality you'll find in the competition, or even older Volkswagens. VW's been running the same styling theme for a while now, so your new Passat won't look much different than your neighbor's old one. Compared to the Honda Accord, Mazda 6 or Hyundai Sonata, the Passat looks bland and boring. That might be fine if it was more fun to drive, but again the Passat fails to set itself apart from the crowd.
2022 Volkswagen Passat trim level differences
The 2022 Volkswagen Passat is available in three trim levels: SE, R-Line and a loaded Limited Edition commemorating the car's final year of production. All come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (174 horsepower, 206 lb-ft of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Highlighted standard features include:
Which Passat trim does Edmunds recommend?
The base Passat S is gone for 2022, leaving the SE trim as the entry-level model and the best bang-for-your-buck option in the lineup. The SE comes standard with adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a sunroof, heated front seats and simulated leather upholstery that help it feel slightly more upscale than comparably priced competitors.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
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.
Great car and good $ per Value
5 out of 5 stars
O, 12/21/2020
2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
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.
LOVE MY PASSAT
5 out of 5 stars
JEEPserviceSucks, 05/03/2021
2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
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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