VW Passat buyer’s guide
FROM £4,200 Capable family car makes even more sense second-hand
How to bag a bargain on Volkswagen’s trusty saloon
FEW family cars are more polished than the Volkswagen Passat. This model has it all: cutting-edge safety features, a spacious cabin, lots of equipment and excellent build quality.
But the sober design inside and out means the VW has a dowdy reputation, which isn’t entirely deserved. Add keen prices into the mix and you can see why the Passat makes a great used buy.
Sure, you’ll pay more than you would for an equivalent Vauxhall Insignia or Ford Mondeo, but we’d argue that the Passat is more well rounded than either of those less premium alternatives.
Here we guide you through what is on offer and what to look out for.
History
THE Passat Mk7 that arrived in October 2010 was heavily based on the Passat Mk6, introduced in 2005. At launch there were saloons and estates, in S, SE or Sport trims. Petrol fans could choose
between 122PS (120bhp) 1.4 TSI and 160PS (158bhp) 1.8 TSI engines, while there were 105PS (104bhp) 1.6 TDI and 140PS (138bhp) or 170PS (168bhp) 2.0 TDI diesels. All versions were available with either a manual transmission or a DSG automatic gearbox.
Highline trim replaced SE in October 2012, and a 158bhp 1.4 TSI engine took over from the 1.8 TSI unit in May 2013, when an R-line trim option also arrived. Executive and Executive Style specs arrived in January 2014, the former replacing the Highline. An all-new Passat reached the UK in October 2014.
Which one?
THE TDI diesels are smooth, torquey, refined and frugal, and while the TSI engines are also excellent, they’re extremely rare. Autos are plentiful and the DSG is a superb transmission, if not usually as reliable as the manual box once a high mileage has been racked up. All Passats come with alloy wheels,
ESP, curtain airbags, climate control, electric windows all round, USB input, plus an eight-speaker stereo system.
SE adds DAB radio, cruise control, Bluetooth, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat plus automatic wipers, while Sport comes with privacy glass, sports suspension and seats, plus tyre pressure monitoring. Highline models feature parking sensors all round, the R-line has a bodykit and xenon lights, while the Executive gets leather trim.
Alternatives
THE Passat sits between premium and volume, which is why the Audi A4 and Ford Mondeo are both rivals. Both come in saloon or estate forms, but only the Audi is offered with four-wheel drive. The Ford is more spacious, far more affordable and better equipped.
The Honda Accord and Mazda 6 are reliable, stylish and come with some excellent engines, while the Skoda Superb is huge inside, dependable and
well equipped. If your pockets are a little deeper you could also shortlist the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-class; both are excellent, plentiful and come with a wide choice of engines and trims. If you like a bargain, look at the Hyundai i40, which is excellent value in comparison.
Verdict
YOU won’t stand out if you drive a Passat, and you won’t be excited by it, but this is one polished performer. There are no poor choices when it comes to bodystyles, engines, transmissions or trims; all are great at what they do and are a safe bet as a used buy.
Last year’s Driver Power used car satisfaction survey shows that the Passat is still desirable, but considering the often hefty asking prices, it should have done better. The VW lost marks for reliability and was beaten by the Ford Mondeo and Skoda Octavia. We still think it’s a great family car, but it’s clear that you need to buy with care.