2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

　　

2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　Sometimes being old is good. Like with wine, for instance, or the stuff featured on PBS' Antiques Roadshow. But for the Volkswagen Passat, age seems to be a liability. The 2021 Passat is based on the fourth-generation model that debuted nearly a decade ago. Consequently, it's slowly fading into the background of the midsize sedan class.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$129/mo  for Passat S

　　Passat S

　　S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $23,995 MSRPSE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) (Most Popular) - $26,995 MSRPR-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) - $29,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　On the upside, the Passat still has a few solid attributes such as a smooth ride and a roomy rear seat. But rivals such as the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 have newer technology features, fresher styling and additional engine options that the Passat lacks. So is the Passat right for you? Check out our Expert Rating below to read our full in-depth evaluation. 

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　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 we found the Passat's panic-stopping distances to be 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

8.0/10

　　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

8.0/10

　　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 LATCH anchors. Even larger rear-facing seats should fit fine without sacrificing front-seat room.

　　

Fuel Economy

8.0/10

　　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. That's roughly on par with 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.

　　

Which Passat does zzdcar recommend?

We think the midlevel SE trim represents the best version of the Passat. With extras such as a sunroof, simulated leather upholstery and extra USB ports, it offers a nice step up from the base S model without adding much to the price.

　　

2021 Volkswagen Passat models

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat is available in three trim levels; S, SE and R-Line. 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:

　　S

　　Starts you off with:

　　LED headlights 17-inch wheels Leather-wrapped steering wheel 6.3-inch infotainment touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Satellite radio Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Volkswagen and the car in front) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)SE

　　Adds a few features worth getting, including:

　　Sunroof 18-inch wheels Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated front seats Simulated leather upholstery Keyless access with push-button ignition Remote start Auto-dimming rearview mirror Dual-zone climate control Two rear passenger USB ports Lane keeping assist (steers the Passat back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)R-Line

　　Dresses up the Passat with:

　　Sporty bodywork with gloss black exterior trim 19-inch wheels Paddle shifters Ambient lighting Special interior trim Upgraded 6.3-inch touchscreen with navigation Premium Fender audio system

　　

2021 Passat Highlights

Trim: SSER-LineS

　　

Base MSRP	$23,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$129/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles