Volkswagen Passat

The eighth Passat at a glance

The B8 (internal type 3G) is a D-segment family car that replaced the Passat B7. It uses a stretched version of the MQB architecture shared with the Golf, a smaller MQB car. Its wheelbase grew by almost 8 cm over the B7, mostly to the cabin's benefit.

Body styles were a four-door saloon and a five-door estate, the Variant, which competes with other station wagons in its class. European cars were built in Germany; the plants are usually given as Emden and Zwickau.

From reveal to the last Variant

In March 2015 the B8 was voted European Car of the Year with 340 points, ahead of the Citroën C4 Cactus and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The Passat name dates from 1973, and the B8 is a recent chapter in the history of Volkswagen.

Engines and gearboxes

European B8s used turbocharged TSI petrol and EA288 TDI diesel engines from 92 kW (125 PS) to 206 kW (280 PS), plus the GTE hybrid.

The 1.4 TSI version was the entry petrol until the facelift brought the 1.5 TSI and petrol particulate filters. After 2019 the 4MOTION 2.0 TSI had 400 Nm; sources give its output as 206 kW (280 PS) or 200 kW (272 PS).

Among diesel cars of this size, the 2.0 TDI version with 110 kW (150 PS) and 340 Nm (251 lb-ft) is the core of the range.

Gearboxes were a 6-speed manual and DSG twin-clutch automatics: the dry-clutch DQ200 for engines up to 250 Nm, the wet-clutch DQ250 and, from October 2017, the 7-speed DQ381. 4MOTION uses a fifth-generation Haldex coupling that drives the rear axle when needed; it was standard on the strongest engines.

GTE plug-in hybrid and Alltrack

The GTE pairs a 1.4 TSI of 115 kW (156 PS) with an 85 kW electric motor and a 6-speed DSG, for a system output of 160 kW (218 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft).

The first GTE had a 9.9 kWh battery and about 50 km (31 miles) of electric range on the NEDC cycle. The facelifted car, ordered from August 2019, got 13 kWh and about 55 km (34 miles) on WLTP. Charging is AC only, at up to 3.6 kW. The GTE Variant's boot is usually quoted at 483 L (17.1 cu ft).

The Alltrack has 4MOTION as standard and a ride height raised by about 25 mm (1.0 in). Its boot holds 639 L (22.6 cu ft).

Dimensions, interior and boot

The B8 saloon is 4,767 mm (187.7 in) long, 1,832 mm (72.1 in) wide and 1,456 mm (57.3 in) high, with a wheelbase of about 2.79 m (109.8 in). The saloon's boot holds 586 L (20.7 cu ft), and the Variant's 650 L (23.0 cu ft), or 1,780 L (62.9 cu ft) with the rear seats folded.

The B8 offered the digital Active Info Display; the 2019 facelift added MIB3 infotainment, IQ.Light matrix LED headlights and Travel Assist, which can steer, brake and accelerate at up to 210 km/h (130 mph).

Passat B8 key specifications (2.0 TDI Variant, 2020–2023)

Fuel economy and running costs

The 2014–2017 2.0 TDI 150 PS manual Variant was rated at 4.2 L/100 km (56.0 mpg US) on NEDC, or 4.6 L/100 km with DSG. The 2020 Variant with the same output is rated at 4.8 L/100 km (49.0 mpg US) under the stricter WLTP procedure, so the gap mostly reflects the test. We found no reliable real-world consumption data.

Trims, equipment and list prices in Germany

The B8 launched in Trendline, Comfortline and Highline trims, with LED headlights standard on the Highline; from 2019 VW renamed them Passat, Business and Elegance. In November 2014 the saloon started at EUR 25,875 in Germany with the 1.4 TSI 125 PS. In August 2019 the facelifted GTE was listed from EUR 44,795 (saloon) and EUR 45,810 (Variant), before the EUR 3,000 environmental bonus. The last 2.0 TDI SCR Variant, sold from late 2020, was listed by ADAC at EUR 41,095.

Safety: Euro NCAP five stars in 2014

Euro NCAP awarded the Passat B8 five stars in 2014, with 85% for adult occupants, 87% for child occupants, 66% for pedestrians and 76% for safety assist. The result, from a 2.0 TDI saloon, also covers the Variant.

Front Assist with City Emergency Braking was standard on most trims. According to UK reviewers, the rating expired in January 2021, and it is not comparable with newer tests. The widely shared scores of 93% adult and 83% pedestrian belong to the 2024 B9, not this car.

Reliability, recalls and known issues

According to ADAC breakdown statistics cited by German magazines, the B8 has regularly been in the green zone. TÜV inspection reports show above-average defects in suspension and brakes, partly because many cars are ex-fleet.

German used-car guides list these points:

• DQ200 dry-clutch DSG: clutch wear on lower-torque petrol engines and the 1.6 TDI.
• EA288 diesels built up to September 2014: water-pump faults that could cause overheating.
• 4MOTION: sludge in the Haldex oil can disrupt the pump, so an oil change after purchase is advised.
• Electronics: early infotainment, cameras and the electric tailgate draw the most complaints.

Several recalls were registered with Germany's KBA, among them the 1.5 TSI manual built in May and June 2019 (delayed acceleration) and brake booster bolts on 2019 cars. UK owners rated the Passat below average in the 2020 Driver Power survey.

B8 against its rivals and the B9

The closest alternative is the third-generation Škoda Superb, which shares the MQB platform with the Passat. The Arteon (2017–2023) is a more style-led MQB sibling that VW positioned above the Passat, and the Audi A6 is the premium step up.

The 2023 B9 moved to MQB Evo and dropped the saloon in Europe.