1998 - 2005 Volkswagen Passat review

Overview

2003 Volkswagen Passat (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

2003 Volkswagen Passat interior (Photo: Volkswagen Canada)

Volkswagen Passat is a premium family car available as a sedan or wagon. The Passat offers excellent handling, very comfortable and quiet ride, classy interior and a number of engine choices. On the downside, the Passat is expensive to keep and reliability is questionable.

Available with front- or all-wheel drive (4Motion), the 1998-2005 Volkswagen Passat shares its platform with Audi A4. The Passat has a longitudinally-mounted engine and comes with a manual or automatic transmission. The Passat comes with two main engine choices: the 170-hp 4-cylinder 1.8L Turbo and the 190-hp 2.8L V6. Starting from 2002, the 270-hp 4.0L W8 (W-shape 8-cylinder) engine was available, but it's rare to find. The economical 134-hp 2.0L TDI Turbo Diesel was added from 2004. The Passat has disk brakes on all four wheels. The ABS is standard; the Traction Control (ASR) is available.

Inside, the Passat is very roomy with distinctive European styling. The fit and finish is very good and all interior materials have quality feel. The driver's seat is very supportive and comfortable on long trips.

On the road, Volkswagen Passat handles beautifully. The ride is smooth and quiet, even when driving over rail tracks. The steering is balanced and responsive. You can feel the car is designed for high-speed German autobahns. Even under hard acceleration, the Passat exhibits very little torque steer, thanks to a drivetrain layout and front suspension design. The 2.8L V6 is smooth and fairly quiet; you only can hear a pleasant "hum" on acceleration. The 1.8L-turbo is quick once the turbo kicks in.

In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat received 5 stars for both the driver and the front passenger. For more details, visit Safercar.gov. In the frontal offset crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 1998-2005 Passat received "Good" overall rating.

Pros

- Stylish look
- Excellent handling
- Variety of engine choices
- Premium interior
- Corrosion warranty
- Available AWD
- Available manual transmission

Cons

- Expensive to keep
- Reliability issues
- Not every repair shop will work on Volkswagen cars

Overall

The Passat is a premium family car with a classy interior, great handling and generous level of standard equipment. It offers a rare-in-class manual transmission and a number of engine choices. You also can get an AWD model. Overall, it's a great car to drive, but similarly to other European vehicles, The Passat is expensive to keep. In terms of reliability, the Passat is also not as good as Honda or Toyota. If you want to buy a used Volkswagen Passat, keep some money aside for the repairs; the Check Engine light issues, oil leaks, electrical, front suspension and some engine problems are not uncommon. You also may need to find a repair shop specialized in servicing Volkswagen cars, as not every shop can handle the repairs. Consider a good extended warranty, to protect from unexpected repair costs. If you want an upscale sedan that is more reliable, check Lexus ES or Acura TL.

What to look for buying a used Volkswagen Passat

Check used car history records, as it may show you if the car has had accidents or other issues in the past; follow this link: How to check used car history. Also, check the insurance quotes before buying a car. If possible, check the service records; see if the vehicle was maintained regularly and if the timing belt has been replaced. Watch for the burnt oil smell from under the hood; the oil leaks are fairly common. If the "low oil pressure" light comes on while driving or at idle, avoid a car; sometimes, a sludged-up oil pick-up screen can cause this issue in the 1.8L turbo engine. While testing the radio, check the AM reception. Test all the electrical features. During a test-drive, watch for the noises from the front suspension; the front suspension problems are expensive to fix. Learn more what to look for when buying a used car. Before buying a used Volkswagen Passat, have it thoroughly inspected by a mechanic closely familiar with Volkswagen products. Check our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.

Maintenance tips

If you are looking for a mechanic to service your Passat, look for a VW-specialized shop, as there is a lot of specifics. Regular oil changes are very important to keep your engine in a good shape. Make sure to use only recommended oil type; if the engine requires a synthetic oil, use only synthetic. Keep the interior dry, as there is a lot of electronics under the carpet that can get corroded if water gets there. Keep all the fluids clean and topped up. The Passat's engine has a timing belt that needs to be replaced at recommended intervals. At least once a year have your car inspected in a garage on the lift. If the "low oil pressure" light comes on at idle, have the problem repaired before the engine gets ruined. Check more Car maintenance tips. If you already know the trouble code that caused the Check Engine light to come on, read more: Engine Trouble Codes. If you need a DIY repair manual with diagnostic procedures, wiring diagrams, component locations, technical service bulletins, recalls, etc, follow this link: Where to find repair manual.

2001 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Sedan specifications