2018 Volkswagen Passat review
Volkswagen Passat highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Comfortable and calm ride
- Spacious interior and cargo area
- Potent Fender® audio system
Cons
- Tiny infotainment screen
- Slow transmission response
- Weak base engine
Mileage (EPA estimate)
19 city, 28 highway, 22 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat gets more power and performance
When the current-generation Volkswagen Passat was last redesigned in 2012, it received praise for its comfortable ride and spacious interior, but it wasn't that fun to drive. For 2018, the lineup receives a welcome injection of excitement with the addition of a sporty new GT trim with a powerful V6 engine and a sport-tuned suspension. The base engine also gets larger, more powerful, and more fuel-efficient.
These improvements help the Passat close in on the class leaders, including the Honda Accord, Kia Optima, and Hyundai Sonata, but it doesn’t quite surpass them. It remains held back by some slow transmission responses, a base engine that’s merely adequate, and the lack of some newer tech features. The 2018 VW Passat can certainly meet expectations for the class, but we think you'll agree that other sedans deliver more performance, features, and value.
All Volkswagen Passat years
What is new for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat?
- The Passat is available in a new trim called the GT.
- Passat trims have been upgraded with Rear Spoiler as standard equipment this year.
- A/C Seat(s) features are now available as options on select trims.
- The R-Line trim now comes with Automated Cruise Control, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment.
- The S trim now comes with Power Seat(s) as standard equipment.
2018 Volkswagen Passat trims
S:
- 174-hp, 184-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Rear Defroster
- Cruise Control
- Cloth Seats
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Side Airbags
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- View our Volkswagen Passat S inventory
R-Line:
- Includes all features available on the S
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Automated Cruise Control
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leatherette Seats
- Android Auto
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Apple CarPlay
- View our Volkswagen Passat R-Line inventory
SE:
- Includes all features available on the R-Line
- Sunroofs
- Smart Key
- View our Volkswagen Passat SE inventory
GT:
- Includes all features available on the SE
- 280-hp, 258-lb-ft of torque 3.6L
- Rear Spoiler
SEL Premium:
- Includes all features available on the GT
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seats
- Parking Sensors
- Lane Departure Warning
- Remote Start
- Navigation System
- Fender Audio
- View our Volkswagen Passat SEL Premium inventory
Volkswagen Passat photos
5 reasons to buy the 2018 Volkswagen Passat
What We Like
Smooth ride: If you're like a lot of buyers looking for a midsize sedan, the Passat's standard soft suspension tuning should appeal to you. It delivers a very smooth ride over rough roads and shrugs off potholes with ease. It may not be as sporty as the new GT or some other sedans, but it corners with confidence and poise.
Plenty of passenger and cargo space: The Passat's rear seats offer a bit more room than some rivals and more easily accommodate taller passengers. There's enough headroom and legroom that 6-foot-tall people won't feel cramped. Behind those seats, the trunk can hold a class-average 15.9 cubic feet of cargo, but the wide and deep space is better at holding big and bulky objects.
Fender audio upgrade: We're fans of the available Fender premium audio system as it delivers powerful bass and clarity throughout the dynamic range. Cranking up the volume doesn't result in distortion either. We recommend tracking down a Passat with this system if you're an audiophile, but even if you're not, we're confident you'll appreciate what it has to offer.
What Needs Improvement
Small infotainment touchscreen: The Passat's 6.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is small compared to its competitor systems. Additionally, the placement of the display lower in the dash is not ideal since it requires taking your eyes off the road to operate it. It is also surprising that there is no larger screen available even if you upgrade to higher trim levels and opt for navigation.
Shop with your budget in mind
Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Volkswagen Passat an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Volkswagen Passat 20th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Volkswagen PassatVolkswagen Passat features and specs
R-Line 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Front Seat Heaters
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- A/C Seat(s)
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Parking Sensors
- Rear Spoiler
- Remote Start
- Smart Key
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
174
Torque (ft-lbs)
184
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
18.5
Wheelbase
110.4"
Overall length
191.9"
Width
72.2"
Height
58.5"
Leg room
F 42.4"/R 39.1"
Head room
F 38.3"/R 37.8"
Front tires
P235/40HR19
Rear tires
P235/40HR19
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
100/1000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2018 Volkswagen Passat FAQ
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- R-Line : 25 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- S : 25 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- SE : 25 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- SEL Premium : 25 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- GT : 19 MPG City and 28 MPG Highway
The Volkswagen Passat received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Volkswagen Passat as 19 out of 28 among Midsize Car
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat has received an average 3.5 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 Volkswagen Passat, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 Volkswagen Passat Reviews.
The 2018 Volkswagen Passat has a maximum towing capacity of 1000 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat:
- GT
- Rear Spoiler
- A/C Seat(s)
- Automated Cruise Control
- Android Auto
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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