2022 Volkswagen Passat review
Volkswagen Passat highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Comfortable ride quality
- Plenty of rear passenger and cargo space
- Powerful Fender® audio system
Cons
- Small infotainment touchscreen
- Slow transmission response
- Lacks some tech features
Mileage (EPA estimate)
24 city, 36 highway, 28 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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2022 marks the end of the line for the Volkswagen Passat
As car shoppers push the industry toward SUVs, the traditional midsize family sedan has fallen out of favor. That's no real surprise since SUVs offer more space and convenience. The latest sedan to succumb is the Volkswagen Passat, and the 2022 model marks the end of the line after 33 years in the U.S.
To commemorate the Passat's final year, Volkswagen offered a special Limited Edition trim and discontinued the base-level S trim. You're not out of luck if you still want a VW sedan, though. Those looking for a newer midsize Volkswagen sedan can seek out the sleek and sporty Arteon.
The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's comfortable ride and spacious interior make it worth considering against other top sedans in the class. But compared to the Honda Accord, Kia K5, and Hyundai Sonata, the Passat is at a disadvantage since it has been a decade since it was last redesigned. As a result, it looks dated and is missing some newer tech features.
All Volkswagen Passat years
What is new for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The Passat is available in a new trim called the Limited Edition.
- The S trim has been discontinued for 2022.
- Passat trims have been upgraded with Leather Seats and Memory Seat(s) as standard equipment this year.
- Power Hatch/Deck Lid features are now available as options on select trims.
2022 Volkswagen Passat trims
Curious how Volkswagen Passat trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesSE:
- 174-hp, 206-lb-ft of torque 2.0L
- Automated Cruise Control
- Power Seats
- Side Airbags
- Parking Sensors
- Lane Departure Warning
- Remote Start
- Sunroofs
- Rear Defroster
- View our Volkswagen Passat SE inventory
R-Line:
- Includes all features available on the SE
- Fender Audio
- Navigation System
- View our Volkswagen Passat R-Line inventory
Limited Edition:
- Includes all features available on the R-Line
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seats
- View our Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition inventory
Volkswagen Passat photos
What We Like
Comfortable ride quality: The Passat's softer suspension tuning should be a hit with comfort-minded shoppers. It smooths over imperfections in the road with ease yet the sedan never feels floaty. Handling doesn't suffer as a result either—the Passat is composed and confident when cornering. Midcorner bumps are also well absorbed and do little to upset the car's stability.
Passenger and cargo space: The Passat provides larger-than-average rear passenger space, with plenty of head- and legroom to accommodate taller adults. Cargo space is about average on paper, but the wide and deep trunk is good at accepting large, bulky items. The rear seats fold flat into the cargo floor, further expanding capacity.
Powerful Fender audio: It's not often that we praise audio systems in non-luxury vehicles, but the available Fender system is certainly deserving. In addition to powerful bass, you also get crystal-clear highs with no distortion. It's definitely worth stepping up to the higher trims just to get this upgrade. We also admit it's cool to see the iconic Fender logo in a car.
What Needs Improvement
Small infotainment touchscreen: Compared to the competition, the Passat's 6.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is tiny. Placing the display lower in the dash doesn't help matters since you'll have to take your eyes off the road to operate it. We're also surprised that there's no larger screen available even if you step up in trim levels and add navigation.
Shop with your budget in mind
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the Volkswagen Passat an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Volkswagen Passat 20th out of 28 among Midsize Cars.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Volkswagen Passat is $496, compared to an average of $430 for Midsize Cars and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Volkswagen Passat owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.1 times per year, compared to an average of 0.9 times for Midsize Cars and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 11% for the Volkswagen Passat, compared to an average of 12% for Midsize Cars and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Volkswagen Passat features and specs
Curious how Volkswagen Passat trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
SE 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- Automated Cruise Control
- Power Seat(s)
- Side Airbags
- Lane Departure Warning
- Remote Start
- Power Locks
- Power Windows
- Sunroof(s)
- Air Conditioning
- Rear Defroster
- ABS Brakes
- Front Seat Heaters
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Rear View Camera
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Smart Key
- Alloy Wheels
- Automatic Transmission
- Turbo Charged Engine
- AM/FM Stereo
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Bluetooth Technology
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Satellite Radio Ready
Drive Wheels
Front Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
2.0L
Horsepower
174
Torque (ft-lbs)
206
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
18.5
Wheelbase
110.4"
Overall length
193.6"
Width
72.2"
Height
58"
Leg room
F 42.4"/R 39.1"
Head room
F 37.4"/R 37.8"
Front tires
P235/45HR18
Rear tires
P235/45HR18
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
100/1000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2022 Volkswagen Passat FAQ
The 2022 Volkswagen Passat is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- SE: 24 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- R-Line: 24 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
- Limited Edition: 24 MPG City and 36 MPG Highway
The Volkswagen Passat received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks the Volkswagen Passat as 19 out of 28 among Midsize Car
The 2022 Volkswagen Passat has received an average 2.5 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2022 Volkswagen Passat, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2022 Volkswagen Passat Reviews.
The 2022 Volkswagen Passat has a maximum towing capacity of 1000 pounds, when properly equipped. Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Here is what's new for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat:
- Limited Edition
- Leather Seats
- Memory Seat(s)
- Parking Sensors
- Rear Seat Heaters
We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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