2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

Name: 2021 Volkswagen Passat Review
Brand: Volkswagen

Price Range: $18,500 - $23,726

2021 Volkswagen Passat R-Line Sedan Exterior Shown

+157

While the 2021 Volkswagen Passat lacks personality and style, there's still a lot to like. It's comfortable and spacious, and it packs in some of the segment's best tech and driver aids. The interior is one of the biggest in the class, and the smooth ride and quiet interior remind you of its German origins. We just wish it was a little more fun to drive — the lackluster powertrain could use more power and refinement.

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Price & Payment

4 cars

$21,297 avg. price

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Volkswagen Passat model years

Volkswagen Passat for Sale

2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

SEL trim level has been dropped
Adaptive cruise control is now standard
Minor changes to standard equipment
Part of the fourth Passat generation introduced for 2012

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.51 per gallon for regular unleaded in Hawaii.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Hawaii

$192/mo

$222/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#20 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Volkswagen Passat from 2008-2022.}

$496/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.12x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.6%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Volkswagen Passat Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

28 reviews

5(57%)

4(14%)

3(10%)

2(12%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Roomy and Comfy!

tweetconn, 12/15/2020

2020 Volkswagen Passat SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I bought my new 2020 Passat SE in September. I had wanted a Passat for some time. I chose the Platinum Gray Metallic color. The car is very roomy with lots of legroom even in the rear seating area. There are many safety features; lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, backup camera, adaptive cruise control, etc. To my surprise, my car insurance premium actually went down because of …

Great car and good $ per Value

O, 12/21/2020

2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Looking for a family car that fits taller than average people, it's the best. My kids are 6.3 and 6.0, and I am 6.0 and have a great room in the back with plenty of room on both the driver and front passenger side. The power is a bit on the low end of the low RPM range, but it has good performance in the higher RPM ranges once you punch it. Good MPG. I get 30 - 33+ on the highway at …

LOVE MY PASSAT

JEEPserviceSucks, 05/03/2021

2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

I now have almost 10k miles on my Passat R Line. I get amazing service with free loaners, car washes etc from every dealership I have been too. No problems at all with my car. I have averaged 28 MPG combined city and highway with a lead foot. On regular unleaded as well. I am a big guy. 6'3" over 300lbs with very wide shoulders as I have to have a 54 long suit and I have plenty …

Not as hoped for, not what I paid for

I 95 commuter, 07/04/2021

2020 Volkswagen Passat SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A)

Previously I owned a Passat wagon for 6 years, leased 2 CCs and am about to end a lease on a 2018 Passat SEL which was the top of the line Passat at the time - that's 15 years with VW. Though the Passat is a larger sedan for its class, sits higher and is less expensive than its cousin the Audi A4, my 3 year experience has been disappointing overall. Though it came loaded with options, …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, so we've included reviews for other years of the Passat since its last redesign.

See all 28 reviews of the Volkswagen Passat

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2021 Passat Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$23,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$192/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Passat models:

Forward Collision Warning: Warns the driver of an imminent front collision with a pedestrian or vehicle and, if necessary, applies automatic emergency braking.
Blind-Spot Monitor: Uses rear radar sensors to warn the driver of vehicles in adjacent lanes. Also illuminates an icon on the side mirror when a vehicle enters the blind spot.
Lane Keeping Assist: Applies countersteering to nudge the vehicle back into its lane if it drifts over lane markers when no turn signal has been activated.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall3 / 5
Driver3 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

Price & Payment

2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

What's new

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.51 per gallon for regular unleaded in Hawaii.}

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Volkswagen Passat Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Roomy and Comfy!

Great car and good $ per Value

LOVE MY PASSAT

Not as hoped for, not what I paid for

2021 Passat Highlights

Safety

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2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

Price & Payment

2021 Volkswagen Passat Review

What's new

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.51 per gallon for regular unleaded in Hawaii.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Volkswagen Passat Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Roomy and Comfy!

Great car and good $ per Value

LOVE MY PASSAT

Not as hoped for, not what I paid for

2021 Passat Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2021 Volkswagen Passat info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Volkswagen

Research similar vehicles

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.51 per gallon for regular unleaded in Hawaii.}