2020 Volkswagen Passat - Review & Road Test
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- čas přidán 15. 12. 2019
- The sedan struggle is real. The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has some stiff competition in the midsize segment. Less than a new design and more of a refresh, is a new look enough to keep the Passat relevant in an SUV-dominated world? Micah Muzio from Kelley Blue Book answers the tough questions.
For the latest Volkswagen Passat pricing and information:
www.kbb.com/volkswagen/passat/ - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I just purchased the Volkswagon 2020 Passat after checking out several other sedans. The reasons why I purchased it was the following reasons. I really like the way it looks. The grill, the updated rear, the wonderful comfortable but firm seats that are a good size side to side. The features the car has from Android Play to front end collision. The pickup is good with low end torque that is acceptable for a 4 cylinder car. The steering is not too light or tight. The trunk space and rear seat space is excellent. I like the way the interior looks and the ride is quiet, firm, and just a joy to drive. I have to drive a lot with my job and I know due to the design of the seats, I won't feel fatigued after driving for several hours. I don't care if the design is older. It was a good design and I have no issues with it. Breaking it also very good as well as the radio which has good solid bass that is not overdone.
Check if your coolant pump is made out of plastic. If it is then it’s gonna crack and leak. I had a 2019 Passat and it cracked and i traded it in for a Camry.
I love my 13 Passat 2.5 5 cylinder.
How has it held up so far?
Looking at buying one how it been?
@user-gu7dn9gr8f No issues at all. There was a software recall but honestly I still love this car and highly recommend it if you find a good one used. It's a shame that they no longer make it. Not everyone wants to be higher up in a SUV and this car handles turns very well
Nice to know this channel isnt bought and they actually post negative reviews too
Well, it could also be bought by Japanese car brands to spread negative reviews about VW.
VW doesn't care about this car, neither should you.
?
The b8 passat in other markets is the real passat, this one is a fake
I totally agree with you. VW doesn't care about NA market at all. They have over 30-40 models being sold in China, and a good number of the models are sold in China only.
@@vincentli5466 Hombuk.
@@ptingz9307 You are talking about the 1.4T they have in Europe? Those are the "real ones"?😂
A man who gives an honest review. I respect you even more than I did like 8 seconds ago. A win!
Honestly what is VW thinking? The competition is so far ahead it's embarrassing. Why aren't they selling the European Passat over here?
Why invest in a dwindling market?
They have been cheapening the car for years. It's typical VW.
I think new emission regulations
They are, it’s called the Arteon. I know, it’s not exactly the same but it’s as close as we get. You know why we don’t get the Passat? It would cost as much as the Arteon! No one would buy it (look at Arteon sales) so VW does what they have to and just make as big of a sedan as they can for the US and sell it for cheap. Otherwise buy an Arteon or an Audi A4. They give us choices at least!
@@michealknight609 But in Europe, lol
I actually like the looks of the exterior🤷🏾♂️
I also give credit to them for finally putting amber turn signals on the rear. The red ones suck
Definitely a baby Audi
Me too.
@@exoticcar5482 nah fuck those tacky yellow outdated rear turn signal
@@xL0stKIlah Still better than the godawful red turn signals
love the honest review. tough to get the straight scoop in this world.
Just bought a 2020 Passat SE last week. This is my 4th. Volkswagen. Maybe cause I’m an old guy at 60, I love the car. Very happy with my purchase. Plus it’s VW certified. Super comfortable, great to drive. Still has that European feel when driving.
So many haters for this VW, yet some professional reviewers consider it a smart value. If you take care of it with proper maintenance the machine will do its thing and do it well.
It's a great car. I don't get your complaints. I have driven a 2016 model, and it was very peppy and fun to drive. Left the line quickly, and had great driving dynamics. Solid, and authentic. If you care about a bigger screen, and that's your main concern, get the Sonata 1.6T. This screen is perfectly fine, functional, and has all the features anyone would need. The materials in the Passat are high quality and solid. The 2.0T is very efficient and tunable, and offers plenty of acceleration for daily driving. If you want the Euro Passat with the 1.4T or 2.0 TDI, go ahead an import one. This one looks better and does the job really well, at a great value.
I got a 2014 vw passat and love it. Went to the auto show to look at the 2020 passat looks just like my 2014 with some few upgrades to it.
That dash trim is made of the heart-wood from the Plastalyptus tree.😁
Your attempt at humor is like that 'pudding' you referenced!
Looking at the newest Passat makes me appreciate my 2004 Passat 4motion with the 2.8 V6. Yeah, she is a bit old and has no advance technology but she runs like a champ and is decently fun to drive.
The B5/B5.5 Generation is the best one we’ve had to date in the USA. Bar none, it is one of the best non-luxury or non-sport vehicles to come out of that era as well; there are many running reliably on the road today and they have aged exceptionally well. I passed up a B5.5 Passat 1.8T 5MT 4Motion in favor of a C5 A6 2.8 (V6 not the VR6) Quattro, which was also a phenomenal era for Audi. Both cars would’ve been great, but the Audi’s amenities and unique styling really sold me on it. Twenty years of smooth sailing and it never once failed me. One of my younger coworkers bought it as his first car when I sold it a while ago, and he loves it!
This new Passat may not be a special car, but it will certainly age well. It will continue dutifully serving drivers in reliable comfort for years to come. It will be a phenomenal value on the pre-owned market, and when end of model year sales come around. It may not dazzle like other entrants in the segment, but it’s still a very good car - we’re just spoiled with many more expensive, great cars these days!
My 2014 Passat w/roof with 1.8 EA888 tiptronic trans new in Feb 2014 has 132,960 miles.
Original rear brakes replaced at 110,000 miles, still have the original plugs and coil packs and great mileage and performance from the engine .
Polish Mastertech at VW said leave the plugs and coils if its running smooth. He can replace them when needed without damaging the head.
Flushed coolant twice . Had trans fluid, screen and gasket replaced. I use BG products. 44K for fuel treatment, EPR and MOA for oil.
My car doesn't have a single squeak or rattle. I've owned 7 new VW'S including a 2011 GTI w/DSG, Ford Windstar and Explorer, Honda Pilot; Toyota Celica.
I maintain all of my vehicles very well, and my USA built Passat has been without question the most reliable, trouble free, squeal and rattle free car I've ever owned regardless of brand, and I'm 64 years old.
Looks like a kick back to the 09-12 Passat CC
i have a 17 model passat SE with tech, i love it! only downside is i have a big dog and will be looking for a SUV for trunk space
I like how you leave TIM with all the gear and walk away from him at the end LOLOL
It's my job to torment Tim. And I take my job VERY seriously. ;)
I would love to try this car. Of course a new one.
I had one for a rental. The turbo lag was annoying. I was used to a car where you push the gas it goes not thinks then goes. The steering is super light. You can sneeze on the steering wheel and it will turn. Takes time to get adjusted. When moving and your adjusted to the turbo lag, it picks up and goes good for this vehicle. Would not buy one but as a rental, first time driving was odd but knowing the car now makes it easier next time.
This car is still handsome.
I think so too even though most people don't. I don't like the canry and acord futuristic design that will be outdated in couple of years.
It’s absolutely gorgeous the design
Get your eyes chocked
Agreed. It’s very handsome - much less obnoxious than most other entrants. The Passat and Mazda6 have to be the nicest looking models in the segment, but the Passat is falling behind very quickly in all other regards. At least it will age well, if past models are anything to go by.
You hit the biggest reason to own, for long continous driving is pleasurable, that's about it.
This isn’t a good looker I liked last year’s design and I’m getting tired of the turbocharged 4 cylinders but whatever there’s other sedans to check out
Great channell
I have the 18 GT. White/Black. VR6. Red line in grille. I had a 2015 but somehow uber bought all the lease turn ins and gave contractors the option of using one of these instead of their own car. Passats were all over new Orleans. So I got the GT. People stare because it looks a tad bit different😅
It’s a very good car for mature buyers!
3:59 your arms went 💪
He is so right about the unpredictable acceleration I bought a 2019 and the car either flies from a stop or will barely creep forward. Very very odd from a stop or accelerating. I will say it’s very comfortable on the highway.
It's missing the manual gearbox
no longer 6year 72K mile warranty - 4/50K miles with 2 year free service, and extended CarNet for those trims equipped.
Great value to me is the key word
For what it's worth Consumer Reports recommends the car.
The last time I was this early, car reviewers wouldn't upload reviews of next year's releases :)
Gee, Micah. Try to contain your enthusiasm for the Passat. :) The truth is that VW has found repeatedly that Americans aren't willing to pay for European spec VW's. Americans want cheaper, larger vehicles from VW. Thus, the Euro-spec Passat was replaced by what VW believes Americans want. When the American-ized Passat was introduced sales nearly tripled. The excellent but expensive Touareg was dropped in the US and replaced by the Atlas. The first generation Tiguan, still sold internationally, has been replaced by the larger, less expensive Tiguan in the US, a vehicle that's called the AllSpace internationally. The current generation Jetta is not even sold in most of Europe. Even the iconic basic Golf won't be sold in the US for 2020. And the GTI and Golf R are significantly "de-contented" in their US guise. The MK8 versions won''t be available as 2020 models.
For a European spec VW sold in the US, the primary example is the Arteon. It's fine European touring sedan but VW admits their expectations for sales are modest in the US. Hopefully, those sales will be sufficient for those of us who appreciate a true European GT at a reasonable price will be able to consider it.
Wow it’s like they want it to die off. Being a fellow consumer, this kind of feels like an insult.
What’s insulting is that the mass consuming market buys mediocre CUVs and SUVs by the dozens, ignoring traditional sedans, hatchbacks, wagons, etc and then have the gall to complain relentlessly when manufacturers wind down their efforts on cars to cater to the much larger demand on SUVs.
If we want better cars, like the stellar European Passat, then we ought to buy more cars and show the industry what we want. Otherwise we have no right to complain. If we point at the Accord, Camry, and Optima/Sonata, then look at their sales figures and the consumers buying them - they tend to be exactly the same demographics over and over, and are often repeat customers. Makers like Volkswagen don’t see that kind of demand on their cars here, and they never have. It’s likely, therefore, that they never will, so they have no reason to create anything more expensive and more competitive for a market that doesn’t actually care. Meanwhile look at their SUVs; the new Atlas and Tiguan are doing phenomenally well, especially the Atlas. There has been a massive uptake in sales with those two Americanized SUVs.
@@apollosbrownies those people will cry when gas goes over $5 a gallon, those sedans have hidden discounts and people only buy suvs because their neighbor has one, probably end up broke.
I've always been a fan of the Passat and even though the competition is far ahead the Passat is still a nice car I'd buy it
What sedan looks better? Don't say anything Hyundai or kia
The 2020 models don’t have the 6yr 72,000 mile warranty anymore. Vw has don’t away with that warranty going forward. That’s offered only on the 2019 models.
Yeah
and 2018 - but that new budac 2.0T with the 6 speed 09G Aisin transmission, was a poor match and will probably tap on that warranty.
I just bought a 2020 Passat R-Line. It was the best option for the money especially with the current "Corona" deals. I'm sure the Camry and Accord are technically superior but both are very expensive particularly with any leather/leatherette option and I don't really care for the styling of either model. I really liked the Altima but not it's CVT transmission. In the end it was a choice between the Passat, Mazda 6, and the Hyundai Sonata but in the end VW had the best bang for the buck and I've always enjoyed my previous Volkswagens...... Plus the R Line has the coolest wheel rims.
I love Micah's reviews, because he detects every vehicle's nuances and quirks in NORMAL city driving. He doesn't just hammer a car around a track and give 0-60 facts along with a specifications list. Specifically around 1:55 he explains how the Passat does not launch smoothly from a stop, unless being driven hard. Gentle-throttle driving will result in lumpy/jerky acceleration, with poorly-matched shift points. This means the car is going to be tiresome and annoying to drive in the city. Funny thing is, I know a LOT of cars which behave like this under light throttle, but reviewers miss it while they are trying to push the car hard for giggles and grins.
Howdy, great review as always! Who would think we would live in a world where Toyota are making better looking and driving cars then Volkswagen!😸😻😸
Definitely not bad for the price !!
I have 2017 R line and I’m very happy.
Very smooth and comfortable car 👍
The car looks beautiful to me, but I just wished the braking and speed was better, but I really really love the looks of it.
If it looks so beautiful why don’t you marry it?
@@kristenhanby6090 Because, you can't marry cars... but it is nice indeed.
Man, I really want to like this car. I'm still a huge fan of midsize and fullsize sedans. The styling on this is pretty nice and the quality looks good. But 174hp on a 2 liter turbo? Why so low? And then fuel economy is not as good as the others? It's still good but it could definitely be better. I guess it's maybe because of new emission regulations? I think vw is starting to give up on sedans. Just like ford...
Man I love full size sedans it's such a shame that they are the most dead category
Even though it's a Passat I'm glad its a Sedan👍🏾
Looks like a relic from 2012.
I think you'd better be off buying a used one. It probably still feel just as new.
Disrespectful.
@@direfranchement he has a point but you can say the same about most cars after 2012
I kinda dig the subdued styling
What styling?
Micah does some 👌 asmr at 3:50 😂
For me it's a beautiful car, It's Big and I love it and Volkswagen Cars can last a Lot of Miles without problem if do always your manteniance.
Many news outlet reported that 2020 warranty is no longer 6 years. Did vw decide to continue that ?
I am renting this car as of now for couple of days. I am sort of a “theoretical car guy” who loves driving and O read and listen to most car magazines... THIS REVIEW IS SPOT ON!!
I kept driving and I felt something is so weird and not comfortable, not predictable, doesn’t feel new... especially driving couple of weeks ago a Kia K5... this car feels like the engineers stopped half way in development and dropped it on the market.
My 2017 Corolla feels more balanced and better seat-positioned... etc... WOW WHAT A RIPOFF!!!
I must admit, it IS good looking though.
In Asia we get the 7 speed dual clutch instead of 6 speed auto. So our drive is peppy and fun. Cheers.
Thoughtful for used car market. Great cheap used car for first time car buyer.
I have seen a lot of Micah's car review videos and I have never seen him so harsh and so blunt in his criticism of a car.
I always one a lightly used one as a comfortable cruiser.
Correct warranty is 4 years or 50k which ever comes first, 2 years of oil changes.
Now I can understand why the dealerships are trying to get ride of it with big discounts.
What's the variant? I am looking at 2020 Passat's but the behind is not as nice as the one in this video.
i was considering buying one of these until I watched this video.
I have a 2017 and love it . The body is beautiful and people with newer versions always stair at my car lol
the 6-year 72,000 mile warranty is for 2019 and is not being carried over to the 2020s.
No matter how warranty VW provide, it’s a poor quality control on VW car, engine light on and parts issues will be occurred one by one on your 🚗
wow that horse power and torq and gear box.
Greatly respect the honest review for Micah. Telling it how.it is. One of the few bad cars on sale. Just such a step backwards
Blake Swan lol oh boy it’s Black swan and his negative comments on every car review out there!
I’m surprised that VW USA chose amber rear blinkers!
I really know someone that has one nice car he traded a 2018 a 18 in for it . You have to drive for a 6000 miles for the transmission to break in after that its smooth
Imo the Camry v6 wins over the Passat. But I like the looks of the pasaat
Really unfortunate that they aren't offering a V6 model anymore. I loved and never had any issues with my 2013 with V6 and would totally buy another. But what I won't do is buy a smaller, less powerful engine with the same fuel economy.
Full model name? Can't find one with the rear lights in Europe.
I agree I had as a rental ,gas and speed and acc was good
The 2021 optima will blow this car out of the water
alex 2021? 😂
it doesn't get a more honest review than this LOL
The make the Golf, one of the best selling cars off all time and excellent machine all around. And then, this thing...?
It's hilarious how you Americans get this version of the Passat whereas here in Europe ours is virtually a small luxury car haha.
yes but the rock bottom poverty spec 1.5 tsi manual costs as much as the 2.0 auto in the us
@@sssssneaker true but at least it's not rock bottom quality like the American one! 🤣
@@MrVroom1 The words "VW" and "luxury" are incompatible for Americans, but they are for Europeans. Every American buys SUVs nowadays and VW still had to pull out the new Touareg from the US because the average American doesn't spend that much money for a VW product. Maybe that's why they don't get the EU Passat - it would be too expensive and would fail against its Asian rivals like it always did.
@@tiborsztancs4779 that's a good point. I think that's why they treat American consumers as 2nd class citizens with their model line up whereas they put far more attention to detail and effort into their other offerings in other markets.
Easy Driver That's not VW's problem though. VW sits between entry-level and luxury, but Americans want to pay entry-level prices for an almost luxury level product, and that's just not going to happen. If Americans didn't just look at the badge, and saw value in what VW offers instead then we wouldn't be getting these watered-down versions in North America.
Based on personal experience I have lost lots of money, time and effort to fix the GSG gearbox after usage of 50 thousands KM. Please check the experience of previous buyer before you take the purchase discussion.
I've never pushed a plunger into pudding. Never even have I come close.
Exactly how would you find yourself in such a scenario?
Everyday
wow mike usually doesn't criticize the car that much lol
gbatt gba yeah he dragged the Passat in this vid
That only highlights the fact that it's a pretty awful car.
Yikes, you'd think they'd iron out the kinks since this is essentially the same car from 2012. I will say that is the fastest I've ever seen one of those foot activated trunks works so kudos there I guess.
Probably the only thing this has going for it is that's it's one of the few cars in this segment that cares about visibility and rear headroom. It's kind of sad how little VW seems to care about this car.
It’s not a matter of VW not caring about the car; just look at the sedans and hatchbacks they sell throughout the rest of the world. It’s a matter of us, the consumers, not giving two hoots about cars anymore. We only have ourselves to blame. For the shrinking sedan market here in the USA, buyers tend to stick with their Toyota, Honda, and Kia/Hyundai models while other brands’ sedan offerings languish on dealer lots. Even Mazda’s stellar 6 is still a poor seller, despite being one of the classiest vehicles in the segment. VW certainly isn’t going to commit the same level of time and money to a car that will inevitably die off in the US market. I still like the Passat, I’d absolutely buy one if I had to replace my current car, but it barely shakes a stick to the European model, and it’s unlikely we’ll ever get a model as nice as the European one.
Strange- both the last two videos seamed considerably less polished than the rest of their videos. Rushing stuff to get to the holidays?
6 year 72 mile warranty does not carry onto the 2020 models. 4 year 50k mile warranty will replace
I think vw is trying to bring back European Passat later and keep old us version Passat until that
I am currently renting a ‘22 Passat SE. It is so ridiculously uncomfortable. I called up enterprise half a day into borrowing it to switch with an accord or Camry.
0:59 🤦🏻♂️😂
That looking
I know, I love it when Micah gives us the side eye.
I purchased a new 2017 Passat SE with technology One year to the day Kelley blue book said car lost 1/3 of its value with less than 12,000 miles on it.
I leased a white one to which I recently turned in for the 2020 r line. I was significantly under mileage and people were telling me to buy and sell it for a profit. One visit to carmax and I realized it would be a loss.
Just bought 2020 SE . Had a Ford Fusion titanium . Have had German cars all my life . I will never change again . Quality ride . Say what you want . Honda Accord doesn’t handle or feel like this on the road .
deal breakers for me are the base model [S] seats that when you raise them they also tip backwards so that gravity puts maximum pressure on the small of one's back- OUCH! also there is a dead zone in the accelerator's first inch or so of travel where you step on it and get nothing until your foot has depressed about an inch, then all of a sudden the tip-in pushes you back in the seat and possible into the back of the car in front of you. not smoothly drive-able at all. also, the top of the door openings are about 3 inches below the actual roofline forcing tall drivers to have to double over to get in and out. my verdict is that i can't live with those fault for anything but a rental car. a pity, as it was mercedes-level quiet and very smooth-riding over some pretty ragged pavement. NVH levels were vanishingly low. driver's rearward visibility is sub-par as well.
They should redesigned it I rather buy a used one since it’s the same car
Micah: I guess we should talk about those upgrades.
Me: 💀
My 2016 SEL V6 just turned 25K miles and I would NEVER trade it for this 2020 version even though VW keeps sending me offer letters. No thanks! Mine rocks!
This makes sense! It's why the US Passat has one of the Top 10 highest depreciation rate of any automobile...🤣
It looks like a big Jetta. Anyway, love the Passat, it's one of my favorite VWs not to be made in Germany. Also, another big let down of the new Passat is that just like the Q7, is the absence of a diesel now. No more diesel, no more inline-5, no more VR6 engine.
Exactly. I'm keeping my 12 i5 manual Passat for life. I'm in love
watching this on my Volkswagen Passat
Tell us about the car
Haha Kelly blue book uses a Honda Pilot for their recording car. Reliability
I see you, squirrel elbow comfort rating system
This is sad to me. I drive a 2008 Passat and it’s so nice both to drive and in terms of interior quality. Seems like it is nicer than the new Passat despite being much older
Nah that one looks hideous and bubbly boat like
@@xL0stKIlah I’m afraid you’re wrong on that one :(
@@joelpphillips the older Passats are so bland looking that didn't even know what they were until the b7 generation. The sexy new arteon is clearly the descendant
VW needs to bring back the 2.5 5 cyl and refine it.... That engine had character.
I'm saving to modify mine
This channel is biased to Honda, I have this car and the steering column never hit my knee.
Exactly..unless you set too close to the pedals and your legs are bowed out because of it like his
I still think it looks better than the accord, sonata or Camry, though it's not a better vehicle.
In Europe, you can get 100 more horsepower, and a wagon.
What's so cool about wagons? They look like a hearse.
Carwheeldrive I live in Europe. I don’t like the looks of most wagons. As I’ve said before. They look like a hearse or some construction worker’s car. I like the look of SUVs. Nonetheless I don’t need any practicality so I’d go for a sedan or coupe.
@Carwheeldrive Why everything has to make sense? I just like sedans. The classy look. Not every car is available as a coupe, and not every coupe is as good as sedan.
@Carwheeldrive Only RS6 I like is the C6, I just don't find Audis to be very attractive.
@@Brian-jv8iy I'm the type of guy that would rather buy and older Mercedes than a new Toyota.
I have a 1.5 Accord and am thinking about trading it for the 2020 Passat. Would that be a mistake?
No this mine 3rd Passat, I love it
You can get the Arteon anyways
Beat Lounge it’s too expensive
And it takes regular gas the Arteon doesnt
The Arteon is beautiful but it is overpriced, I think that they should drop the price down by like 6 K and it would be such a big seller. A loaded arteon at like 41k would be ideal, not $50,000
@@nicholasbabeaux2052 ? You can get a 2021 sel R line premium for like 39k in my area. Pretty good for that price