Used Volkswagen Passat 2015-2022 review
What's the used Volkswagen Passat saloon like?
The Volkswagen Passat is a car that seems to have been around since Noah first laid out plans for his ark but, in fact, it hit the showrooms in 1973.
This is the 2015-2022 eighth generation, a version distinguished from the others by being more deliberately aimed at the premium end of the market. It took aim at executive cars like the 2012-2013 BMW 3 Series and 2014-2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It worked, too, with this Passat more than capable of offering a sound alternative to those cars, while the Passat still kept its eye on its more usual competition: think 2014-2022 Ford Mondeo and 2013-present Mazda 6. It was a sales success and highly regarded throughout its long lifespan, but it was finally dropped from the line-up in 2022.
Underneath, it shares its underpinnings with many of the other cars in the VW Group which means there’s a good choice of engines. Your petrol options (badged TSI) start with either a 124bhp or 148bhp 1.4-litre, a 178bhp 1.8-litre, and a storming 2.0-litre unit with 187, 218 or 268bhp. There’s also a hybrid GTE version, utilising a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 215bhp and some outstanding on-paper economy figures. The post-2019 petrol range starts with the 148bhp 1.5.
However, most people buy diesel Passats, and again, you have plenty of options. They start with a 118bhp 1.6-litre TDI and move up to a larger 2.0-litre TDI engine, initially offered in 148bhp, 187bhp and twin-turbo 241bhp versions. In 2020, both the 1.6 and twin-turbo 2.0-litre were dropped, with a less powerful 120bhp 2.0-litre TDI replacing the smaller engine.
On the road, the 1.6 TDI diesel is an adequate performer, but only if you work it hard. The more powerful 187bhp 2.0 TDI variant is worth opting for if you want more assertive acceleration, while top of the range R-Line (and the limited-edition R-Line Edition) models get the option of a 237bhp 2.0 BiTDI engine teamed with four-wheel drive, and put simply, it goes like stink.
The 178bhp 2.0 TSI should be plenty muscular for most; it pulls strongly from low engine speeds and has enough clout to haul five people and their luggage around with ease. Finally, there’s the top-spec 268bhp 2.0 TSI petrol; if you’re looking for something quick but also effortless, this engine, with its strong yet linear power delivery, will satisfy you. It’s only available on the R-Line Edition trim level, though.
The headline arrival with the 2019 facelift, other than the new engines, was a semi-autonomous autopilot system capable of operating at higher speeds. Dubbed Travel Assist, this can actively steer the Passat at speeds of up to 130mph (where permitted) – a big advance on the 25mph limit of the Traffic Jam Assist system on the pre-2019 cars.
If you're interested in finding a used VW Passat, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
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