Volkswagen builds the Passat for drivers seeking a straightforward sedan with plenty of passenger and cargo space. It's powered by a turbo-four engine and is tuned for easy, comfortable driving. The current Passat is based on the one that went on sale in 2012, when it won MotorTrend's Car of the Year award. It was updated for 2020 with new styling and features.

What's New

• All trims now equipped with adaptive cruise control
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob become standard
• The SE trim gets 18-inch wheels and a sunroof
• R-Line is now the highest trim; SEL trim is discontinued
• Built-in navigation, premium audio, and adaptive headlights are included on the R-Line trim

What We Think

The Passat won MotorTrend's Car of the Year award back in 2012, but the midsize sedan segment—and the industry as a whole—has come a long way since then. Despite a restyle in 2020, the Passat remains the same old car underneath.

In an era defined by technology, the Passat lags behind. See the tiny gauge cluster information display for evidence. The infotainment touchscreen is smaller than some competitors' and runs an older user interface. However, standard adaptive cruise control added for 2021 is welcome.

On the road, the Passat can't keep up with newer sedans. Long gears hinder its acceleration, and handling is artificially light, if precise. Stopping distances are good, although the  strange-feeling brake pedal doesn't inspire confidence. At least ride quality is comfortable, and the cabin is roomy, but there's a bit more wind noise than we'd like.

Now nearly a decade old, the Passat is in need of a redesign. But with sedan sales dropping and Volkswagen's focus on EVs, we wonder what will become of this renowned nameplate

Performance and Fuel Economy

The Passat uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 174 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. It uses a six-speed automatic to drive the front wheels. Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes 7.8 seconds. EPA-rated fuel economy for the 2021 Passat is 24/36 mpg city/highway.

Safety

From the IIHS, the Passat earns the top Good score in all crashworthiness tests. The upgraded LED projector headlights found on the SEL trim also get a Good score, but its standard headlights get a Marginal score, the second lowest.

Standard driver-assist and active safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and, new for 2021 model year base models, adaptive cruise control. Automatic windshield wipers and high beams are included on the SE and R-Line trims.

Cargo Space and Interior Room

Cargo capacity in the Passat's trunk measures 15.9 cubic feet.

When a sunroof isn't equipped, front-row headroom in the Passat measures 38.3 inches, which compares to 39.5 inches in the Honda Accord. Second-row headroom is 37.8 inches in the Passat, a bit more than 37.3 inches in the Accord. Front-row legroom is close, measuring 42.4 inches in the Volkswagen and 42.3 inches in the Honda. The Passat has slightly less rear legroom, with 39.1 inches to the Accord's 40.4 inches.

Technology

All Passat trims include a 6.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; built-in navigation is standard only on R-Line trim. There's also a small black-and-white information display in the gauge cluster. The entry-level S trim has one front-row USB port, while the SE and R-Line trims add two second-row ports. A six-speaker audio system is standard, and a nine-speaker Fender premium setup is included on the R-Line trim.

Trim Levels

2021 Volkswagen Passat S

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Adaptive cruise control
• Cloth seating upholstery
• LED headlights and taillights

2021 Volkswagen Passat SE

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Keyless entry with push-button start
• Leatherette seating surfaces
• Two second-row USB ports

2021 Volkswagen Passat R-Line

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Sport-inspired body styling
• Interior ambient lighting
• Steering-adaptive LED headlights

Key Competitors:

• Honda Accord
• Subaru Legacy
• Hyundai Sonata
• Mazda 6