2019 Volkswagen Passat review

What We Like

Smooth ride: Most shoppers in this class prioritize a comfortable ride quality over sporty handling, and for them the VW Passat should have plenty of appeal. Ruts and bumps in the road are smoothed over with barely an acknowledgement, yet the sedan keeps from feeling overly soft or floaty. This should noticeably reduce fatigue on longer trips.

Plenty of passenger and cargo space: Compared to other midsize sedans in its class, the Passat boasts a slightly larger interior volume that offers ample rear seat headroom and legroom that is suitable for taller adults. The 15.9-cubic-foot trunk capacity is about average, but it's wider and deeper than its rivals, allowing for easier loading of large items.

Fender audio upgrade: The available Fender premium audio upgrade is well worth the extra cost. Even casual listeners will appreciate the punchy bass and clarity in the high notes. We usually reserve audio accolades for luxury vehicles, but in this case, the VW and Fender partnership is deserving.

What Needs Improvement

Uninspiring drive experience: The Passat requires 8.5 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph, which is slower than other sedans in the class. It feels even slower due to some delayed transmission responses. The Passat is likely able to corner with some athleticism, but the stability control system is tuned so conservatively that you won't be able to have any fun. It's adequate but far from impressive.