VW Passat Review Covering 2005 To Date

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Quick Summary of the VW Passat

OVERALL

The sixth generation Passat offers the mainstream market a reasonably priced glimpse of what premium car buyers have been enjoying for some time. Used examples are now beginning to appear in decent quantities and make a very sound purchase, especially if you plan to keep the car for longer periods.

ACHIEVABLE ASPIRATION

To say that Volkswagen’s sixth generation Passat went back to basics would be underselling quite what a technically sophisticated car it is, but the sentiment represents what the German company has done with this model range. Where the fifth generation model got a bit big for its own boots, with super powerful eight cylinder models and such like, for the MK6, Volkswagen recognised the limits of the Passat’s reach and kept things sensible. As a used proposition, it’s hard to buy better but you’ll need to fork out some serious money still. These cars are in serious demand.
Used VW Passat for sale

History of the Passat

By early 2005, the basic Volkswagen Passat silhouette hadn’t changed much since 1997 and what was a striking car at the time of launch had become slightly anonymous in the premium part of the medium range car market, a sector always demanding the latest thing. Therefore, the launch of the sixth generation Passat was widely anticipated. Would Volkswagen launch a car that would really establish itself as a credible rival to the likes of the BMW 3 Series? The tack they took caught quite a few on the hop, Wolfsburg eventually deciding to settle for a less aspirational market position and instead clean up at the top end of the shrinking mainstream sector. Volkswagen retains the flexibility to introduce more powerful and expensive Passats at a later date should it see fit but as it stands, the car is looking to offer buyers of Honda Accords, Mazda6s and lower order Saab 9-3s a real and very well built alternative. Landing in dealers in Spring 2005, the Passat’s order books soon bulged with letters of intent and a 3.2 V6 FSI range topper and an estate variant followed in November. The following summer, a powerful 170PS version of the 2.0 TDI diesel was added to the range. Residual values are very strong.The petrol engine range began to embrace turbocharging more fully late in 2007. It was announced that the normally-aspirated 1.6 and 2.0 FSI units would be phased out in favour of 1.4 and 1.8-litre TSI turbo engines producing 122 and 160PS respectively. The Highline trim level replaced the SE in early 2008, just after the economical BlueMotion models arrived.
Used VW Passat for sale

VW Passat Road Test

As usual with Volkswagen, there’s a wide variety of engines on offer, with four petrols and three diesels from which to choose over four trim levels (S, SE, Sport and SEL). There’s also an estate bodystyle available. The petrols comprise a 115PS 1.6-litre unit, 150 or 200PS 2.0-litre powerplants and a 250PS 3.2-litre FSI V6. If you’d rather plump for diesel, there’s a 105PS 1.9-litre TDI or 140 or 170PS versions of the vastly superior 2.0-litre TDI engine. There’s a 4MOTION four wheel drive option if you choose the 140PS 2.0-litre TDI variant, a system that comes as standard to buyers of the 3.2-litre petrol model.Team the 2.0-litre TDI with the revolutionary DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) and you’ll have a very satisfying ride. This uses a sequential manual gearbox in order to ensure efficiency and rapid responses, but it also uses a clever twin clutch system to ensure creamy smoothness. Engage first gear and the gearbox will pre-engage second gear in advance, the second clutch engaging as soon as you flick up to fire the Passat instantly into second gear. This means a seamless flow of power. The electronics predict what gear you’re about to engage, depending on whether you’re accelerating or braking, and the result is astonishing, making every other gearbox look distinctly clunky. The other option is to slip it into ‘D’ and drive it like a normal automatic. Even in this mode it’s butter smooth. One comes away with the impression that some day all gearboxes will be made this way. The petrol cars have to make do with the less special six-speed tiptronic automatic.
Used VW Passat for sale

Buying a VW Passat

Ask most people and they’ll cite the Passat as a paragon of reliability although owners of the old MK5 model may not share that opinion, the Volkswagen often doing only averagely in customer satisfaction and reliability surveys. The MK6 model tightened genuine as opposed to merely perceived quality up a good few notches. Most of the engines are tried and tested powerplants and the DSG gearbox is rugged. Look out for 1.6-litre models that have clocked up big mileages in a short space of time, as these can feel rather tired with CV boots a particular point worth checking. Instead, try to land a 2.0-litre diesel or a petrol 2.0-litre FSI that has been well looked after.
Used VW Passat for sale

VW Passat Typical Pricing

Front up at a dealer with anything less than £11,750 and you’ll be better advised to shop for a Jetta instead. That’s what you’ll need to land the entry level 1.6-litre petrol model, although a better buy is probably the 2.0-litre FSI engine which kicks off at £14,300 in S trim on an 05 plate. Step up to the SE and you’ll tack another grand onto that asking price. The 1.9-litre TDI diesels open at just under £14,000 for an S saloon but the 2.0-litre engine is so manifestly superior it’s worth stretching for. Here values start at £16,000 for an SE trim on an 05 plate. Insurance ranges from Group 7 to Group 16.
Used VW Passat for sale

VW Passat Parts

(approx based on a 2006 1.6S Saloon) A clutch assembly retails at around £190, front brake pads are £75 a pair whilst rears are £40 a set. A new alternator is a fairly reasonable £280, and a new headlamp is a hefty £275. A new exhaust system including the front and down pipe is £1250.
Used VW Passat for sale

VW Passat Rated

Performance Performance 3.5 out of 5

Comfort

Handling

Economy

Styling

Equipment

Build

Depreciation Depreciation 4 out of 5

Insurance

Value

VW Passat Review2005 To Date