Introduction
The Volkswagen Passat is a popular midsize car that has been around for many years. The Passat has changed and been updated a lot over the years, which makes it hard to choose the best year to buy. But In this blog post, we’ll talk about the 12 best and worst years of the Volkswagen Passat so you can make a smart choice when shopping for the best Volkswagen Passat to buy.
Here’s The Short Answer To What The Worst And Best Years For The Volkswagen Passat Are:
The best Volkswagen Passat model years are 2021, 2018, 2015, 2012, and 2006. The worst model years of the Passat are 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, and 2001. This is based on NHTSA statistics, auto industry reviews, reported problems, and consumer feedback.
Brief History of Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat replaced the Volkswagen Type 3 when it came out in 1973. Since then, it has been upgraded and modified eight times, which is called a generation. The Passat has always been a popular choice for people who want a reliable, fuel-efficient, and comfortable midsize car.
Importance of Choosing the Right Passat Year
It’s important to choose the right Passat year to make sure you get a car that meets your wants and expectations. In terms of dependability, safety, gas mileage, and features, some years are better than others. If you choose the right year, it will help you save time and money in the long run by avoiding repairs and maintenance that cost a lot of money.
Purpose of this Article
The main purpose and goal of this blog post are to give you a full guide to the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Passat. We will talk about the features, speed, safety, and dependability of the top 12 years. We’ll also talk about things to think about when picking a Passat year and how to buy a used Passat.
Best Volkswagen Passat Years
2006 Passat
One of the best Volkswagen Passat years to buy is the 2006 Passat. The engine in this model year is a strong 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 200 horsepower. It also has a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic gearbox that provides great fuel efficiency. When compared to other popular car brand of the same year such as Kia Optima or Honda Civic, you will find that the Passat is a reliable sedan car that can serve all your basic car needs without spending so much money.
The 2006 Passat comes with a lot of standard features, like heated seats, a sunroof, and automatic temperature control for two different areas. It also has a high safety grade because it has anti-lock brakes, stability control, and side airbags.
2006 Volkswagen Passat
2012 Passat
Another great Volkswagen Passat year to buy is the Passat 2012. This year’s model has a roomy interior, great fuel efficiency, and a smooth ride. It comes with three different engines choice, one of which is a diesel that gets up to 43 mpg on the highway.
The 2012 Passat also comes with a lot of basic features, like Bluetooth, a touchscreen infotainment system, and satellite radio. With features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and a backup camera, it has a great safety rating.
2015 Passat
The 2015 Passat is a great choice for people who want a comfortable midsize car that gets good fuel efficiency. This year’s model has a roomy cabin, great fuel efficiency, and a comfortable ride. It has two engines to choose from, one of which is a diesel engine that gets up to 44 mpg on the highway.
Also, standards on the 2015 Passat are a touchscreen infotainment system, a backup camera, and Bluetooth communication. It has features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and side airbags that make it a very safe car.
2015 Volkswagen Passat
Related: 11 Best & Worst Volkswagen Jetta Years (With Facts & Stats)
2018 Passat
The 2018 Passat is a great choice for people who want a luxurious midsize car with a lot of space. This year’s model has a roomy cabin, great fuel efficiency, and a comfortable ride. It comes with two different engine choices, one of which is a turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 174 horsepower.
The 2018 Passat also comes with a lot of standard features, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a back view camera. With features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and a suite of driver-assist features, it has an excellent safety ranking.
2021 Passat
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat is among the best Year model to buy in the market. It is a great choice for people who want a reliable and fuel-efficient midsize car. It has a roomy cabin, gets great fuel economy, and is comfortable to drive. It has a four-cylinder engine that is supercharged and makes 174 horsepower.
Also, standards on the 2021 Passat are a touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and a smartphone connection. With features like anti-lock brakes, stability control, and a suite of driver-assist features, it has an excellent safety ranking.
2021 Volkswagen Passat
Reasons why these years are the best
The Volkswagen Passat years listed above are the best because they have a good mix of features, speed, safety, and dependability. They are known for their smooth rides, roomy interiors, and good fuel efficiency. They are also very safe and come with a lot of features and qualities that make them a great deal for the price. When compared to other sedan cars such as Honda Civic or Kia Optima, you will discover that Passat is a great car for its price.
Consumer Scores For Best Volkswagen Passat Years
Model Year | Edmunds Consumer Rating |
Kelley Blue Book Consumer Rating |
JD Power Consumer Rating |
2022 Volkswagen Passat | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.4 / 5.0 | NA |
2021 Volkswagen Passat | 3.6 / 5.0 | 4.4 / 5.0 | NA |
2018 Volkswagen Passat | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | 79 / 100 |
2016 Volkswagen Passat | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | 82 / 100 |
2009 Volkswagen Passat | 4.3 / 5.0 | 4.1 / 5.0 | 80 / 100 |
2005 Volkswagen Passat | 4.5 / 5.0 | 3.9 / 5.0 | NA |
Worst Volkswagen Passat Years
2001 Passat
One of the worst Volkswagen Passat years to buy is the 2001 Passat. This model year is known to have problems with the transmission, which can be expensive to fix. Also, it has a low ranking for reliability and often has electrical problems.
2005 Passat
2005 is another bad year for the Passat. This model year is known to have problems with the engine, like a timing belt that doesn’t work right and can cause the engine to break down. It is also not very reliable and has a lot of power problems.
2005 Volkswagen Passat
2007 Passat
Another year to stay away from is the 2007 Passat. This model year’s transmission is known to have problems, such as slipping and changing problems. Also, it has a low ranking for reliability and often has electrical problems.
2009 Passat
Another year to stay away from is 2009. This model year’s engines are known to have problems, like a broken valve that can cause the engine to break down. It is also not very reliable and has a lot of power problems.
2009 Volkswagen Passat
2010 Passat
Another year to stay away from is the 2010 Passat. This model year’s transmission is known to have problems, such as slipping and changing problems. Also, it has a low ranking for reliability and often has electrical problems.
Reasons why these years are the worst
The years listed above are the worst years for the Volkswagen Passat because transmission and engine problems are common and can be expensive to fix. They also have a low-reliability score and often have electrical problems. These problems can be very frustrating and can cost a lot to fix.
Reported Problems Per Model Year
The number of reports and complaints for each year of the Volkswagen Passat is listed below.
This report and data are collected from CarProblemZoo.com, a website that tracks NHTSA customer reports, and CarComplaints.com, a website where car owners can file complaints.
Model Year | Complaints (CarComplaints.com) |
Problems (CarProblemZoo.com) |
2022 Volkswagen Passat | – | 5 |
2021 Volkswagen Passat | 0 | 7 |
2020 Volkswagen Passat | 9 | 8 |
2019 Volkswagen Passat | 0 | 17 |
2018 Volkswagen Passat | 6 | 42 |
2017 Volkswagen Passat | 9 | 127 |
2016 Volkswagen Passat | 30 | 130 |
2015 Volkswagen Passat | 38 | 320 |
2014 Volkswagen Passat | 52 | 684 |
2013 Volkswagen Passat | 82 | 890 |
2012 Volkswagen Passat | 63 | 620 |
2011 Volkswagen Passat | – | 22 |
2010 Volkswagen Passat | 40 | 220 |
2009 Volkswagen Passat | 21 | 211 |
2008 Volkswagen Passat | 29 | 233 |
2007 Volkswagen Passat | 29 | 349 |
2006 Volkswagen Passat | 105 | 754 |
2005 Volkswagen Passat | 34 | 171 |
2004 Volkswagen Passat | 56 | 346 |
2003 Volkswagen Passat | 194 | 809 |
2002 Volkswagen Passat | 112 | 774 |
2001 Volkswagen Passat | 38 | 555 |
2000 Volkswagen Passat | 39 | 618 |
1999 Volkswagen Passat | 12 | 850 |
1998 Volkswagen Passat | 5 | 474 |
1997 Volkswagen Passat | 1 | 104 |
1996 Volkswagen Passat | 4 | 186 |
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Passat Year
When picking a Passat year, you should think about your budget, the features you want, the mileage, the size and performance of the engine, the fuel economy, the safety features, and how reliable the car is.
Budget: The price of a Passat can change from model to model & from year to year. It is important to think about your money and pick a year that fits within it.
Features: Different years of the Passat have different features. It’s important to think about the features you want and pick a year that has them.
Mileage: Depending on the year and model, a Passat’s mileage can be different. It’s important to think about the miles and pick a year with the right mileage for your needs.
Size and Performance of the Engine: Each year of the Passat has a different size and amount of performance for the engine. It’s important to think about the size and power of the engine and choose a year that fits your needs.
Fuel Economy: Different years of Passat have different scores for how much fuel they use. It’s important to think about fuel economy and choose a model year with the best fuel economy for your needs.
Safety Features: Different years of the Passat have different safety measures. It’s important to think about the safety features and choose a year with the ones that are most important to you.
Reliability: Different Passat years have different scores for how reliable they are. It’s important to think about how reliable the year is and pick one that has a good track record of being reliable.
Conclusion
The Volkswagen Passat is a popular midsize car that has been around for a long time. Some years are known for how well they run and how reliable they are, while other years are known for issues with the transmission, engine, and electricals. You can choose the best Passat year for your needs by thinking about things like budget, features, mileage, engine size and power, gas mileage, safety features, and reliability. If you want to buy a used Volkswagen Passat, the years above are some of the best and worst ones to look at. In the end, it is important to do your homework and test drive several models before making a purchase. This will help you choose a Passat year that you will enjoy driving around for years to come.