2022 Volkswagen Passat – All You Need To Know

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat doesn’t thrill like the more dazzling, speedier family sedans it contests against. Parked next to the low and wide Hyundai Sonata or the sleek Kia K5, the VW looks y bland. Although its interior is equally unassuming, it’s put together well and boasts pleasant materials. The Passat’s cabin is also a spacious place, particularly in the back seat.

This along with its myriad standard driver assists, such as automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, make it a solid choice for families. Its four-cylinder powertrain operates without fuss, but it’s notably slower than rivals such as the Honda Accord, and VW doesn’t offer all-wheel drive or a hybrid variant like many of its classmates.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat has a single powertrain option: a 174-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic transmission. In our testing, the engine was smooth and refined throughout its rev range and helped move the sedan with ease. The automatic is mostly a smooth operator, but occasionally it stumbled during our testing when crawling along at low speeds in heavy traffic.

Whether eating up highway miles or tooling down back roads, the Passat is up to the challenge. It combines a soft, almost luxurious ride with predictable handling, providing a vehicle that’s as comfortable as it is capable. Steering is accurate and well-weighted, but as with many others in the class, it doesn’t offer as much feedback as we want.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat‘s turbocharged four-cylinder engine’s EPA fuel economy is average among family sedans, and many rivals offer more efficient models and hybrid options. The VW’s 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway estimates trail those of the four-cylinder Toyota Camry. We tested both on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen; the Passat earned 36 mpg while the Camry delivered an impressive 42 mpg. For more information about the Passat’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Inside the 2022 Volkswagen Passat , clean, straight lines follow Volkswagen’s unassuming design language. The Passat’s interior is handsome in a German, utilitarian way, but it’s lacking true inspiration to earn our full praise. The Volkswagen’s cabin isn’t completely without merit, though; it’s among the most spacious and comfortable in its segment.

With an open cabin and thin door pillars, outward visibility in the Passat is excellent. There is little variation in cargo capacity among family sedans. With the seats folded to their not-quite-flat resting position, we managed to fit 16 carry-on-sized boxes behind the front seats. The Passat fell to the bottom of the family-sedan pack for real-world carrying capacity, perhaps because Volkswagen sacrificed some trunk space to the Passat’s huge back seat.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The standard infotainment system of the 2022 Volkswagen Passat includes a 6.3-inch touchscreen with a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, and several USB ports. The top model adds navigation, a larger 8.0-inch display, a premium sound system, and a six-month subscription to VW’s Car-Net services. This allows users to locate the vehicle, call for roadside assistance, and even lock/unlock the doors remotely from their smartphone.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

While even the base model has several standard driver-assistance technologies, only the top trim has the most advanced equipment. For more information about Passat’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

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Full Specifications