2020 Volkswagen Passat review
Volkswagen Passat highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Quiet and comfortable ride
- Roomy back seat and spacious trunk
- Optional Fender® sound system
Cons
- Smaller touchscreen than competitors
- Sluggish transmission hinders performance
- Not the most engaging drive
Mileage (EPA estimate)
23 city, 34 highway, 27 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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An upscale sedan with legroom to spare
The Volkswagen Passat has had a longtime presence in the midsize sedan space, first being sold in the United States in the early 1990s. The 2020 Volkswagen Passat brings a fresh new look to this well-loved sedan. The exterior looks sleek, while the interior is filled with everything you'd expect from a modern vehicle. You'll also love the way the Passat drives. It's a smooth experience that's perfectly suited to the commute or longer trips with friends and family. The sole engine option for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque
All Volkswagen Passat years
What is new for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
- The Passat is available in a variety of new trims, including the R-Line, S, SE, and SEL.
- The SE R-Line and Wolfsburg Edition trims have been discontinued for 2020.
- Passat trims have been upgraded with Leather Seats, Memory Seat(s), Leatherette & Cloth, Cloth Seats, and Fender Audio as standard equipment this year.
- Full Roof Rack features are now available as options on select trims.
2020 Volkswagen Passat trims
Curious how Volkswagen Passat trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesS:
Includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, USB plug-in, 6.3-inch touchscreen display, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more.
R-Line:
Adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, an R-Line body kit, interior ambient lighting, and paddle shifters.
SE:
Adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, available remote start, and more.
SEL:
Unlocks hands-free opening trunk, front and rear parking sensors, an automatic parking system, power passenger seat, leather upholstery, and more.
Volkswagen Passat photos
5 reasons to buy the 2020 Volkswagen Passat
1. Generous driver aids
It used to be that features like cruise control were premium upgrades on most vehicles. Now, in addition to all the features you might expect as standard (like cruise control), the 2020 Volkswagen Passat includes driver aids such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard.
2. Entertainment features
Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® connectivity have become highly sought-after options on today's cars. These applications connect your phone to the infotainment system of the vehicle and give you access to everything from weather and podcasts to audiobooks and navigation. The 2020 Volkswagen Passat comes standard with both options, so regardless of whether you're an Android or Apple user, the Passat has you covered.
3. Available premium sound system
If a good road trip or enjoyable commute means hearing your favorite tunes through a high-quality sound system, you'll love the 2020 Volkswagen Passat's available nine-speaker sound system by Fender®. The Fender sound system, found on the Passat's SEL trim, provides a premium audio experience for every drive. Combine that with smartphone connectivity, and you'll never run out of things to listen to.
4. Excellent cargo space
Of all the great features of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, cargo space is one of its best. With 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, the Passat has plenty of room for luggage, groceries, or a combination of the two. Cargo hooks in the trunk are also standard, helping you keep fragile cargo in place.
5. Roomy cabin
The cabin of your car is a place where you spend a lot of time, so space to move around or stretch out can really make or break the overall experience. With 42.4 inches of legroom for front passengers and 39.1 inches for the rear, there's plenty of room in all areas of the 2020 Passat. Shoulder room is also excellent, at 57 inches for both the front and rear passengers.
Similar vehicles
If you're interested in the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.
The Camry is one of the longest-running Toyotas available. It received a significant refresh in 2018 and offers three powertrain options, including a hybrid. All-wheel drive is also an option on 2018 and newer Camrys, which is something that hasn't been available for several generations. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard for the first time in 2018 and newer Camrys.
The 2019 Toyota Camry comes standard with the following features:
LED headlights
Seven-inch infotainment system
Adaptive cruise control
The Hyundai Sonata is a great choice, offering a range of trim and powertrain options as well as high-end features. A popular optional feature on 2017 and newer Sonatas is dynamic bending light technology, which rotates the headlights in the direction the steering wheel is being turned. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata brings bold styling in a complete refresh and three engine options, including a hybrid. The base engine for the 2020-2022 Sonata is a 2.5L four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata comes standard with the following features:
Automatic headlights
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
Keyless entry
The Honda Accord is one of the last midsize sedans to offer an available manual transmission, including one that can be paired with a six-cylinder engine. This was available until 2019, when the manual transmission was discontinued for the Accord. 2017 Accords carry over from a refresh that took place in 2016, which included the addition of a sportier exterior design. The base engine is a 2.4L four-cylinder that produces 185 hp; a 278-hp 3.5L six-cylinder engine is optional.
The 2020 Honda Accord comes standard with the following features:
LED headlights
Dual-zone climate control
Push-button start
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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.
View RepairPal's full rating of the Volkswagen PassatVolkswagen 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
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Blind Spot Monitor
- Bluetooth Technology
- Front Seat Heaters
- Lane Departure Warning
- Leatherette Seats
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear View Camera
- Remote Start
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Sunroof(s)
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
58.5"
Leg room
F 42.4"/R 39.1"
Head room
F 38.3"/R 37.8"
Front tires
P215/55HR17
Rear tires
P215/55HR17
Seating capacity
5
Max towing capacity
100/1000 lbs.
Transmission
Automatic
2020 Volkswagen Passat FAQ
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is an upscale car with premium features and many luxurious touches, such as a glass-covered touchscreen and available adaptive cruise control.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is not four-wheel drive. The 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, powers just the front wheels. The Passat is equipped to be a competent and engaging commuter car.
The Volkswagen Passat is not rated for towing; however, its ample trunk space of 15.9 cubic feet provides plenty of room for cargo and extra items on long trips. If additional space is needed, the rear seats can fold down to provide more room for cargo.
More about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat
Color options
Exterior colors:
Aurora Red Metallic
Deep Black Pearl
Platinum Gray Metallic
Pure White
Reflex Silver Metallic
Tourmaline Blue Metallic
Interior colors:
Mauro Brown
Shetland
Shetland and Black
Titan Black
Interior details
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has seating for five passengers and comes standard with black cloth interior in the S trim. Leatherette seats are available in the SE and R-Line trims, and leather is standard in the SEL. The 6.3-inch touchscreen is glass, which is a nice premium touch, and the interior space is generous, with 57 inches of shoulder room (front and rear). You'll also get 42.4 inches of legroom in the front and 39.1 inches in the rear.
Child seat details
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has room for three car seats in the back seat. LATCH seats (front- or rear-facing) can be used on the outboard seats. Booster seats can also be used in the rear of the Passat.
Performance
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 174 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Under full power from a stop, the Passat can achieve 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and will continue on to an electronically limited top speed of 115 mph (according to the manufacturer, when new). The 2020 Volkswagen Passat gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg combined from its 2.0L engine.
Year comparison
2012-2022 Volkswagen Passat (eighth generation)
The eighth generation of the Volkswagen Passat was released in 2012 and was the first Passat designed specifically for the U.S. market. This generation of the Passat is still in production as of the 2022 model year, though it has seen a number of updates and changes over the years.
In 2012 the Passat had seven different trim levels and three different engine choices, including a 2.0L turbodiesel. In 2019 the trim levels dropped to two (Wolfsburg Edition and SE R-Line), and the current 2.0L four-cylinder engine became the only option. 2020 brought the most recent exterior refresh.
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