Used 2018 Volkswagen Passat for sale 

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat has a starting price of $22,995 and it goes all the way to $34,650 for the range-topping Passat V6 SEL Premium trim. You can choose between the standard 2.0L TSI I4 or a powerful 3.6L V6. However, it only has front-wheel drive and there is no hybrid powertrain option either.

Too many to choose from? We help you find the best trim

We think the Passat SE equipped with the SE technology package delivers the best value for your money. The feature list includes a power-adjustable driver seat, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless ignition, and heated seats among others.

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat now comes with a larger 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine as standard instead of the 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the 2017 Passat. At 174 hp, the new engine delivers 4 more hp than the old one.

This engine has a smooth throttle response despite being turbocharged and its 184 lb-ft torque kicks-in as low as 1500 rpm.

A 280 hp 3.6L Naturally Aspirated V6 is also on offer but only on the top end Passat V6 SEL Premium. While the base engine is sufficiently quick, the V6 delivers luxury-car-like effortless acceleration. While the 6-speed automatic looks dated compared to the 8-speed automatic in the Camry, it still delivers smooth shifts and has well-spaced ratios.

Acceleration

The 2.0L Passat can accelerate from 0-60 in 8.1 seconds. Aided by the much more powerful 3.6L V6 engine and the lightning-quick 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, the Passat V6 SEL Premium posts a much faster 0-60 mph time of 5.7 seconds.

The base engine of the competitors offers similar acceleration. However, the Honda Accord with a more powerful 192 hp engine and CVT transmission does 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. That's 0.8 seconds faster than the Passat.

Ride and Handling

The Passat gets fully independent front and rear suspension as is the norm with modern mid-size sedans. Suspension tuning prioritizes ride comfort over excitement and the Passat easily filters road imperfections and expansion joints. However, the quick and precise steering also makes handling the Passat down a curvy road a pleasant experience. When the car goes around long sweepers or tight corners, it feels a lot smaller than it actually is; however, you’ll surely feel the athleticism of its rivals.

Braking

The Passat gets 12.3-inch brake rotors up front and 10.7-inch brake rotors at the back. The brake pedal feels spongy and its travel is quite longer than expected which reminds of other Volkswagen vehicles.

Within the city limits the brakes get quite cumbersome and irritating while on the highways it performs in an acceptable manner. In a panic braking situation, the Passat takes 128 feet to stop from 60 mph. 

The Toyota Camry has the best braking performance despite being only slightly lighter than the Passat. The Honda Accord and the Chevy Malibu performs decently enough.

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat with the standard 2.0L TSI engine gets a higher EPA mpg rating than the earlier 1.8L TSI engine. It delivers 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 29 mpg.

While it's sufficiently frugal, the competitors like the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry post considerably better figures despite being more powerful. The more powerful and more expensive 3.6L V6 is also considerably thirstier with an EPA rating of 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The Passat rear-seat legroom is second only to the immensely roomy rear seats of the Honda Accord. While three people in the rear seat will be slightly tight, two passengers will be happy at the rear even after a long transcontinental trip.

Upfront, standard power-adjustable driver seat makes finding the perfect driving position easy and outside visibility is good too.

The base Passat S gets a fabric interior but the higher trims upgrade to the synthetic leather interior. If you desire real leather, upgrade to the Passat SEL premium package. While the interior has well-fitted trim pieces, there is an overabundance of hard plastic. Rivals like the Accord and the Camry have considerably more upscale interiors and upholstery on offer.

Cargo Capacity

With 15.9 cubic feet of luggage capacity, the Passat trunk can pack enough for a weekend getaway. The wide opening makes loading easier and the rear seats can be folded for added flexibility.

However, rear seats do not fold as flat as some of the rivals.

The Toyota Camry has the smallest trunk on the list while the Honda Accord offers the maximum boot space. The Chevy Malibu has almost similar capacity as the Passat.

Infotainment System

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat gets a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the base Passat S - only. All other trims get the larger 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. A Fender premium audio system is also available in the Passat SEL premium and Passat V6 SEL Premium.

The Volkswagen Passat is one of the most distinctive-looking yet understated midsize sedans in the market. While its rivals exhibit busy styling details, the Passat has a very conservative design with oodles of German presence.

The LED lights on higher trims give the Passat and Audi-like glare from a distance. Except for the base Passat S, all trims can be equipped with LED lights.

While the Passat bears a heavily understated appearance, its rivals look quite handsome and have a sense of sportiness imbibed within. The Camry has a modern-looking wide front fascia and the side profile looks simple with smooth lines. The Accord looks the sportiest among the segment with a very aerodynamic design. The Chevy Malibu’s front fascia looks a bit weird with a bifurcated front grille.

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat has received a 5-star crash test rating from NHTSA and has also performed well in the IIHS crash test but missed the Top Safety Pick award by a slight margin. The 2018 Volkswagen Passat gets the following advanced active safety features from Passat R-line onwards:

• Rear Cross-Traffic Alerts
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind-Spot Monitors

These are also available in the base Passat S for just $495. Passat SE and higher trims also get Adaptive Cruise Control as standard. Other safety features available in the 2018 Volkswagen Passat are:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), and Engine Brake Assist (EBA)
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD), Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
• Side Curtain Protection head airbags, front, and rear
• Automatic locking feature (doors lock when the vehicle reaches 8 mph)
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor points
• 3-point safety belts for all seating positions
• Driver and passenger front and side thorax airbag supplemental restraint system
• Intelligent Crash Response System (ICRS)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Volkswagen Passat Vs. Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevy Malibu is a genuine alternative to segment leaders with a spacious cabin, excellent efficiency, and an impressive roster of standard features including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Automatic Parking Assist. Add a reasonably priced hybrid and excellent reliability to the mix. On the styling front, it stays away from busy elements but still is more eye-catching than the Passat.

Volkswagen Passat Vs. Honda Accord

The new 10th generation Accord is one of the most acclaimed mid-size cars around combining exceptionally well-built feature-loaded interior, tremendously roomy rear seats, intuitive but modern infotainment, and a capable chassis motivated by a strong but frugal engine.

Add the availability of manual transmission for enthusiasts and hybrid for environmentalists to the list and you get an unbeatable package. The Passat is actually comprised against the Accord. But, if you don't need all Accord has to offer and fall for the subtle German flair of the Passat, get the Passat.

Volkswagen Passat Vs. Toyota Camry

The all-new 2018 Toyota Camry has daring styling never seen on its predecessors. However, inside it's still that safe, roomy, and cushy family hauler, millions of Americans have trusted. The Passat has a roomier back seat and slightly better handling but the Camry is better on all other grounds.

The Volkswagen Passat is no doubt overwhelmed by the presence of competitors like the new Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Passat interior is not as upscale as these rivals and it gets fewer features too. Those looking for a comprehensively modern car will find the Passat unappealing.

However, Passat is not bad and has extremely spacious seats, a pliant ride, capacious boot, impressive powertrain, and comes with plenty of features too. It's just not as competitive as the rivals. So who should buy the Passat? Probably those who can happily ignore its minor shortcomings and are attracted to its understated German charm.