2018 Volkswagen Passat

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Rating6.5

Ranked #12 in 

Midsize Sedan
Write Review
$22,995 - $34,650
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Super-spacious and cozy interior

The base 6-speed transmission is slow and clunky

The base engine is now more powerful and fuel-efficient

Strong V6 powertrain

The V6 engine has a disappointing fuel efficiency

New GT trim with a V6 powertrain

Supple ride quality

Unimpressive interior material quality

Base model now available with blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking

Specs & Features

$22,995

price

174 hp @ 5000 rpm

horsepower

184 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

torque

6-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 6A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat is a midsize sedan offered in 6 trims, starting off at a base MSRP of $22,995. For that price, it mainly competes with the Ford Fusion, the Mazda 6, and the Subaru Legacy. Between 6 trims, the Passat offers 2 powertrains. The base engine is a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine capable of making 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. If more power is required, there is also a 280 horsepower-making 3.6L V6 engine. Both engines are mated to 6-speed automatic transmissions. The Passat reaches 60 mph from zero in 8.4 seconds on its base engine, which gets pumped up to 5.8 seconds with the V6 engine. Depending on the powertrain, the Passat can manage a combined fuel economy of between 22 and 29 mpg. While we're on the topic of choices, the 7 striking colors the Passat comes in really pull you towards itself.

Buying Advice

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat is a spacious and powerful sedan in the segment. There are six trims offered and we recommend getting the SE trim that offers an impressive feature-set and multiple packages available to equip. 

Trims

    S
    $22,995 onwards
    • 16-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Manual front air conditioning
    R-Line
    $24,995 onwards
    • Dual zone climatronic automatic front AC
    • V-Tex leatherette Seat trim
    SE
    $26,295 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    GT
    $29,145 onwards
    • Engine: 3.6L 6cyl FWD 6AM
    • Horsepower: 280 hp @ 6200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 258 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.8 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg
    SE Technology
    $29,595 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 6A
    • Horsepower: 174 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 184 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.4 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 29 mpg
    SEL Premium
    $31,650 onwards
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Navigation system
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers

Compare to similar cars

Price

$22,995- $34,650

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.55

Horsepower

280 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque

258 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$23,570- $35,800

Gasoline

8.41

192 hp @ 5500 rpm

192 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

5

Read Review

$54,900

Gasoline

7.06

310 hp @ 6500 rpm

272 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,000- $45,750

Gasoline

7.39

206 hp @ 6800 rpm

182 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,565- $47,070

Gasoline

7.3

194 hp @ 6300 rpm

187 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

-

Read Review

$27,895- $36,420

Gasoline

6.78

197 hp @ 6300 rpm

191 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

$21,680- $30,975

Gasoline

7.89

160 hp @ 5700 rpm

184 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$28,995- $66,295

Gasoline

7.77

292 hp @ 6350 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$17,950- $41,120

Gasoline

7.6

160 hp @ 6500 rpm

146 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$25,390

hybrid

7.4

188 hp @ 6000 rpm

129 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Volkswagen Passat vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    8.4 sec16.4 sec-
    4.7 sec--
    6 sec14.4 sec132 mph
    6.1 sec14.5 sec-
    6.1 sec14.6 sec-
    6.1 sec13.7 sec124 mph

    2018 Volkswagen Passat vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      25 mpg36 mpg29 mpg18.5 gal.462.5/666 mi.
      51 mpg53 mpg52 mpg13 gal.663/689 mi.
      39 mpg46 mpg42 mpg15.9 gal.620.1/731.4 mi.
      43 mpg41 mpg42 mpg14 gal.602/574 mi.
      29 mpg41 mpg34 mpg14.5 gal.420.5/594.5 mi.
      28 mpg40 mpg33 mpg14.5 gal.406/580 mi.

      2018 Volkswagen Passat vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        191.9 in.72.2 in.58.5 in.5.4 in.110.4 in.
        202.9 in.76.2 in.60.7 in.5.1 in.112.9 in.
        201.3 in.73 in.58.9 in.7 in.111.7 in.
        198.4 in.75 in.58.2 in.4.9 in.120.2 in.
        197.8 in.74.4 in.57.7 in.4.5 in.112.2 in.
        197.5 in.73.5 in.57.5 in.7 in.114.4 in.

        2018 Volkswagen Passat vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          15.9 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.-
          16 cu.ft.107.8 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.
          2018 Mazda 6

          Ranked #2

          14.7 cu.ft.99.7 cu.ft.148.9 cu.ft.
          55 cu.ft.102 cu.ft.83.2 cu.ft.
          13.2 cu.ft.90.7 cu.ft.58.5 cu.ft.
          20.1 cu.ft.102.2 cu.ft.59.9 cu.ft.

          2018 Volkswagen Passat vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            -15.9 cu.ft.--
            -12 cu.ft.--
            41.9 cu.ft.15.9 cu.ft.41.9 cu.ft.-
            18 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.15.4 cu.ft.-
            2018 Mazda 3

            Ranked #5

            47.1 cu.ft.12.4 cu.ft.47.1 cu.ft.-
            6 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.14.9 cu.ft.-

            2018 Volkswagen Passat vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -1014 lbs.3274 lbs.
              3500 lbs.1149 lbs.3619 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1340 lbs.3917 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3681 lbs.
              1000 lbs.1080 lbs.3934 lbs.
              1000 lbs.-3431 lbs.

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              MPG Combined : 29 mpg

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              Horsepower : 150 hp @ 5000 rpm

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              2018 Volkswagen Passat User Reviews

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              POPULAR TAGS

              MR

              Michael Ricker

              2017 Volkswagen Passat

              R-Line 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 23, 2024

              Good looking car but too many defects

              Pros - ["Roomy spacious seating", "Good looking interior"]

              Cons - ["Too many defects", "Radio interface always malfunctions"]

              Good looking car but too many defects. Early on, I had problems with the coils getting moisture in them due to a leaky seal. This is allegedly a pretty common issue according to my searches online. There's also a problem with a moldy smell with the sunroof. I really liked the way it looked and drove outside of these issues but they're pretty big problems.

              Not Rated
              Features
              Not Rated
              Interior
              Not Rated
              Design
              Not Rated
              Safety
              Not Rated
              Reliability
              Not Rated
              Deal Value
              Not Rated
              Dealer Review