The Volkswagen Passat has been rolling off the production line since 1973. The ninth generation is only available as a station wagon, but it seems as if Volkswagen has done its best to make it a good car. You can stow more luggage than in a Mercedes E-class Estate. And it drives amazingly well.
What stands out about the Volkswagen Passat (2024)?
There are few certainties in the car world, but in the price list Volkswagen you will find some. The Passat (1973), Golf (1974) and Polo (1975) have been a holy trinity since the 1970s. Since 1983, no fewer than 278,318 Dutch people have purchased a Passat.
There has been a lot of speculation about the end of the Passat in recent years, because interest is waning. His heyday is behind him (partly due to the arrival of… Volkswagen Tiguan), but like an old rock star, he doesn’t give up and continues tirelessly. And so, despite its somewhat decreased popularity worldwide, there will still be a ninth generation. Although the Passat is no longer available in the United States, among others.
Volkswagen did sweep through the offer: the sedan was destroyed, there is only a station wagon left. Until now, it was always called Variant, but Volkswagen has deleted that addition.
The engine choice is much the same as in the Volkswagen Tiguan (review): you choose from a mild hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The only difference is that the Tiguan has an entry-level model with 130 hp, with the Passat you immediately get the 1.5 eTSI with 150 hp. The plug-in hybrids deliver 204 or 272 hp in both models and have an excellent electric driving range of 100 kilometers.
What is good about the Volkswagen Passat (2024)?
Volkswagen writes comfort and practicality in elegant curling letters. Because the Passat is actually a disguise Skoda Superb it is ridiculously spacious. We start in the luggage compartment, which can accommodate 690 liters. That is 40 liters more than the old Passat. With the rear seats folded down, it holds 1920 liters. That is even more than the Mercedes E-class, which does not exceed 1830 liters.
You can do a TikTok dance in the backseat if you want. The wheelbase is 5 centimeters longer than that of the old Passat and that means that you feel like you are in an executive car. At the front, our test car is equipped with the nice ErgoActive seats. They heat, ventilate and massage and provide excellent lateral support to every figure.
Volkswagen is struggling to find its niche in the electric world, but its knowledge and expertise in the field of petrol engines and chassis technology is undisputed. Every kilometer with the Passat is wonderful; it offers the comfort of an ICE train, but you are more likely to arrive on time.
The whisper-quiet four-cylinder turbo engine is barely audible and the tires and wind do not disturb the peace. We left the chassis in Comfort mode for almost our entire test drive, the best driving program for highway kilometers. What a wonderful one grand toureras the French would label him.
What could be improved about the Volkswagen Passat?
Volkswagen’s design has been a bit tasteful lately, with a large light bar between the headlights and a glass ‘grille’. There is also a huge light bar between the rear lights of the Passat.
Well, let’s mention two more minor negatives. When overtaking quickly, you would wish that the eTSI engine with 150 hp was a little smoother. And the seven-speed DSG transmission shifts somewhat abruptly when driving away quickly, a typical problem for a dual-clutch gearbox. But this is also no reason to give a wide berth to the Passat.
When will the Volkswagen Passat come and what is the price?
Over the last three years, Dutch sales of the Passat have been considerably disappointing, with 745, 663 and 628 registrations successively. The love for SUVs comes at the expense of traditional large middle class cars, of which there are fewer and fewer left.
A shame, because the Passat is an excellent car. The last of the Mohicans who do want a large Volkswagen station wagon can go in any direction. The Passat 1.5 eTSI is ‘already’ available for 48,990 euros, the eHybrid PHEV costs 49,990 euros. If you don’t want a car with a combustion engine, the Tourer version is the electric one Volkswagen ID.7 ready for you. Exact prices are not known, but count on at least 60,000 euros.
What do I think of the Volkswagen Passat?
At 51 years old, the Passat is the veteran in Volkswagen’s price list. This is probably the last edition with a combustion engine. The farewell is in style; comfort, silence and (luggage) space were clearly a priority during development. Volkswagen still has to find the right shape with its electric cars, but they still build old-school cars like no other.
If I had the choice between a Passat and a Tiguan – same technical basis, almost the same prices – then the choice was simple for me. The Passat involves you just that little bit extra in driving and looks much less bulky. A distinguished and reliable traveling companion.