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2018 Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat OEM Exterior Primary Photo
OEM Interior Primary
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OEM Exterior
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Used Car Price Range
$12,995 - $18,998
$12,995 $18,998
Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2018 2.0T S 4dr Sedan
most popular
Price:   -  From $22,995
2018 2.0T R-Line 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $24,995
2018 2.0T SE 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $26,295
2018 3.6L V6 GT 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $29,145
2018 2.0T SEL Premium 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $31,650
2018 3.6L V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan Price:   -  From $34,650
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize sedan that offers a tad more luxury than the competition. There's a high-end interior that is both functional and affordable, while standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking provide a big boost in safety.

What's New for 2018

There are still two engine choices for 2018, but one has changed. Gone is the base 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, replaced by a turbocharged 2.0-liter mill making 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That's an increase of four hp and 23 lb-ft over the outgoing model. The new engine pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Volkswagen Passat

Choosing Your Volkswagen Passat

Two engines and six trims make up the choices available for the 2018 Volkswagen Passat. There's the new turbo 2.0-liter engine making 174 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and 3.6-liter VR6, which produces 280 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

The four-cylinder engine returns 25 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 29 mpg. The VR6 engine returns 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for a combined fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg.

There are six trims available:

Volkswagen Passat

S

The Passat S is the most basic offering and starts at $23,845 (including an $850 destination charge). Standard features include cloth seats, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, and a five-inch touchscreen. While you can get forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking on the base Passat, it's only available with the Driver Assistance Package for $495, which also adds adaptive cruise control.

Volkswagen Passat

R-Line

Starting at $25,845 R-Line is an appearance package, adding R-Line specific bumpers, side skirts, badging, and some stylish 19-inch wheels. Inside, there are steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

The Driver Assistance Package is standard with this trim, although you'll also get blind-spot monitoring, too. The only real option, aside from dealer-installed accessories, is the reasonably priced R-line Lighting Package. The $1,195 option group adds full LED headlights with LED runnings lights and then swaps out the rear lamps for LED units.

Volkswagen Passat

SE

The $27,145 SE trim adds leatherette seating surfaces as standard with contrast piping. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, and 8-way power driver's seat. Keyless access with push-button start, power tilt/sliding sunroof, and blind spot monitoring are also included. Like the R-Line, the entire Driver Assistance Package is standard, as is blind-spot monitoring.

Standout features include a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a sunroof.

The SE Lighting Package wears a slightly different name but carries the same price and equipment.

Volkswagen Passat

SE w/Technology

The $30,445 SE with Technology builds on the SE trim with more technology. What's the Technology in this model's name add? For a start, there's standard LED headlights, running lights, and taillights, heated front and rear seats, and 18-inch wheels. Those are the big-ticket features, but this trim also adds a host of goodies that are more convenient than crucial, including a hands-free trunk, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, remote start, a color display in the instrument cluster (the standard setup is monochrome), and ambient interior lighting.

Aside from dealer-installed accessories, there are no optional extras for this trim.

Volkswagen Passat

SEL Premium

The $32,500 SEL Premium is available with both the turbocharged 2.0-liter or 3.6-liter V6. Going with the brawnier engine adds $3,000 to the price tag.

At this price point, customers score standard leather upholstery covers upgrade seats, an automatic parking assistant will help with tricky low-speed maneuvers, and a Fender audio system kicks out the tunes as one of the best branded audio systems at this price point. On the safety front, the SEL Premium adds lane-departure warning to its quiver of active safety systems.

Aside from the V6 engine, there are no optional extras for the SEL Premium.

CarsDirect Tip

The Passat SE with Technology is the undeniable sweet spot of the range, adding advanced headlights to a package that already includes the most crucial active safety systems. That it's available for just a shade over $30,000 makes it a tremendous value in a competitive segment.

Get your price on a Volkswagen Passat »

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Automotive Editor
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Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

Seven years into its current generation, the 2018 Volkswagen Passat is a larger offering in the mid-size sedan class. But its vast interior, comfortable ride, and advanced safety features are offset by uninspired styling, a thirsty V6 option, and cheap-looking interior trim.

Best Value

2018 Passat models start at $23,845 (including an $850 destination charge) for the base S trim and top out at $35,500 for a V6 SEL Premium model. The biggest difference: the top trim is equipped with a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The rest of the lineup receives a 174-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder.

All seven models feature the usual power features plus a power driver's seat, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear view camera, an automatic post-collision braking system, and automatic crash response. All but the S trim are equipped with adaptive cruise control. Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert systems are optional on the S and standard on all other variants.

We'd skip both the base S and the R-Line and head straight to the SE trim that adds a power sunroof, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette seats (heated in front), keyless push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a larger 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, plus those safety features. Choosing the SE also allows access to an optional advanced lighting package that ditches the base headlights for a much better set of LEDs.

Here's how we'd build it:

  • Model: 2018 Volkswagen Passat SE
  • Engine: 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
  • Output: 174 hp / 184 lb-ft
  • Transmission: Six-speed automatic
  • Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
  • MPG: 25 City / 36 Hwy
  • Options: SE Lighting Package ($1,195, LED headlights, tail lights, and daytime running lights: halogen front fog lights with low-speed corner illumination).
  • Base Price: $27,145 (including an $850 destination fee)
  • Best Value Price:$28,340

Performance

Volkswagen Passat

The Passat delivers a firm, well-controlled ride, while steering is both light and direct. The standard turbocharged four-cylinder delivers excellent fuel economy along with adequate acceleration and maximum torque available at a low and very usable 1,500 rpm. The optional V6 accelerates more strongly and also feels more self-assured when passing.

But all is not perfect as the larger 19-inch wheels found on the sporty GT and R-Line models amplify road imperfections. Meanwhile, the V6 engine guzzles gas at an EPA-estimated 19 miles per gallon in the city, 28 on the highway, and 22 combined; sounds rough when you put your foot into it, and, while it can be run on regular unleaded, its 280 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque figures are attained using more expensive premium fuel.

Style

Conservative sheetmetal is wrapped around an equally restrained interior that delivers on space in spades – especially in back where two adults can enjoy plenty of legroom. The leatherette found in most models will wear better than leather and feels like the real thing, while a low beltline and narrow roof pillars offer a great view out.

On the flip side, room in back for three adults is tight and, while the fit is very good, the finish on many interior trim pieces looks cheap – which is acceptable on the base model but unsuitable for those trims costing upwards of $30,000.

The Best and Worst Things

The Passat's combination of ride comfort and interior space make it competitive in its class, but its bland design and cheap interior trim could be a turn-off for many buyers.

Right For? Wrong For?

Volkswagen Passat

Even as many families are migrating away from mid-size sedans, the Passat's blend of quality, interior space, and standard safety features offers a real alternative to a number of crossovers on the market.

An uninspired interior and a bland exterior design that renders the Passat nearly invisible in parking lots means the style-conscious need not apply.

The Bottom Line

Despite a smooth ride, expansive interior, and advanced safety features, its pedestrian styling, fuel-thirsty V6, and cheap-looking interior only place the Passat mid-pack in the mid-size sedan class.

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Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 174 HP / 184 ft.lbs.
Transmission
6-spd Tiptronic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
25 / 36 / 30 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 174 HP / 184 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
25 / 36 / 30 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.5 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$71
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
15.9 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
102 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
191.9 "
Exterior Width
72.2 "
Exterior Height
58.5 "
Front Headroom
38.3 "
Rear Headroom
37.8 "
Front Legroom
42.4 "
Rear Legroom
39.1 "
Front Shoulder Room
56.9 "
Rear Shoulder Room
57.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,274 Lbs.
Wheel Base
110 "
Turning Radius
18.2 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
16.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote / Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Chrome
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Armrests
(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Front Assist W/autonomous Emergency Braking Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Blind Spot Monitor Blind Spot
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer Iii
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2018 Volkswagen Passat for Sale

9 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Volkswagen
2.0T R-Line
Color: Black
Price

$13,495

Mileage

73,630 mi

Map location icon

Pacific Auto Center - Costa Mesa (33 mi)

Phone: (949) 536-8000
Volkswagen
2.0T R-Line
Color: F
Price

$13,729

Mileage

62,480 mi

Map location icon

California Motors Direct Montclair (42 mi)

Phone: (909) 200-2277
Volkswagen
2.0T SE
Color: White
Price

$13,998

Mileage

58,297 mi

Map location icon

Winn Volkswagen of Woodland Hills (20 mi)

Phone: (855) 419-9299
Volkswagen
2.0T R-Line
Color: White
Price

$14,599

Mileage

68,450 mi

Map location icon

Covina Valley Kia (32 mi)

Phone: (877) 314-6819
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