Used 2021 Volkswagen Passat

Winner: 2021 5-Year Cost to Own Award
#8 in Best Midsize Cars for 2021

VW updated the Tennessee-built Passat’s look last year, giving its large front-wheel-drive sedan sharper lines, a more coupe-like roofline, and a more aggressive grille.

As VW’s largest car, the Passat battles with heady players like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, and the new Kia K5. While the Passat is far from a best-seller in this class, it offers good performance and a roomy interior. Giving the Passat a leg up on its competitors is VW’s 2-year free-maintenance plan, in addition to its competitive 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. While not as powerful as a Kia Stinger or Nissan Maxima, the Passat’s turbocharged 2.0-liter engine is a strong performer that gets 34 mpg on the highway.

The Passat’s 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine has 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque. It mates to a 6-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.

This engine has plenty of power for the daily commute. The 6-speed automatic is fine, but power delivery isn’t silky smooth during acceleration at lower speeds. An 8-speed automatic, say, the one in the Atlas, would help fuel economy and smoothness.

Steering is light but accurate. While the 2021 Passat has some sporting pretensions, its best characteristics are its comfortably roomy cabin and its huge trunk.

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The Passat interior was redesigned just last year, so little has changed for 2021. As such, this large Volkswagen sedan remains attractive inside, dare we say elegant.

Seat comfort is high, and the Passat’s driver’s seat is height-adjustable, which helps shorter drivers get properly situated. Overall fit/finish is excellent, and the controls are well placed.

In back, passengers are treated to a cavernous rear seat. Even your tallest friends won’t complain about sitting back there. While the Passat’s infotainment system isn’t class-leading, it’s easy to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Bluetooth.

Even with last year’s refresh, the Passat still has an understated look, one highlighted by a sharper nose, crisp lines, and a more coupe-like profile.

VW’s large 5-seat sedan comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, and 18s are available on the SE. In usual VW fashion, the R-Line Passats get unique front- and rear fascias, plus special badging and larger alloy wheels (19s).

STANDARD DRIVER ASSISTANCE
Every trim level of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat comes standard with front-traffic assist with pedestrian monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. There are additional safety features available, which come standard on the trim level just above the base model.

PREMIUM FEATURES
The Passat is a compelling value, but options like the 400-watt Fender audio system, heated front, and rear seats, leather seating surfaces, and Park Assist give Volkswagen’s midsize sedan some luxury touches.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat S includes a 174-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, and a rear cross-traffic alert. Also standard: manual-adjust cloth seats, a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 6-speaker audio system with a CD player, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

All Passats come with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, plus two years of free maintenance.

After the S, the Passat trim levels are SE and R-Line (last year’s flagship, the SEL, has been discontinued). You can get 18-inch wheels, plus features like leatherette seats, remote start, and keyless access. Also available: paddle shifters, power front seats, heated front seats, memory settings, dual-zone climate control, navigation, and a sunroof.

Additional safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking-steering assistant, park-distance control, and automatic high-beam headlights (Light Assist). The R-Line comes with 19-inch wheels, a front spoiler, a rear diffuser, gloss-black accents, and chrome exhaust pipes.

One powertrain is available in the 2021 Volkswagen Passat: a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that sends 174 horsepower and a healthy 206 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission.

It’s a proven engine, and it gives VW’s big sedan respectable fuel economy. For the record, the Passat is rated by the EPA at 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. We think 4Motion AWD would be a welcome addition to the Passat, but it’s not available.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
174 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
206 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway 24/36 mpg