2021 Volkswagen Passat Review & Road Test

We review and road test the 2021 Volkswagen Passat R Line. All-new sporty body, new technology plus other upgrades, and a Fender audio system.

We show you everything you need to know, score it in 10 categories with Car Coach Reports ratings before you go for a test drive. If you have additional questions, put them in the comments below and I'll be happy to answer.

0:00 2021 #Volkswagen #Passat R-Line #VW #car
1:30 Under the hood
1:49 Performance
3:19 Handling
4:26 Safety
5:38 Visibility
6:36 Seating Comfort
9:18 Features
11:39 Design
12:51 Quality
13:29 Value, Price & Cargo
14:43 Car Coach Reports Total
15:14 Comments and questions

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[ralphbernard]

I have been driving Volkswagens since 1970. My current ride is a 2020 Passat SE which I bought about two years ago. It is a great car. At the 24, 000 mile mark there have been no problems. Likes: Safety features, no engine stop/start feature, comfort, nice style, control simplicity, lots of room, nice radio sound Dislikes: no CD player, wimpy horn. I enjoyed your review. I also like the fuel economy. My car averages 33 mpg in and around town and has gotten 40+ mpg on the highway at times. Great range with that 18.6 gallon tank! I'm not a big "whistles and bells" guy so I really like this car!

[arturn_czyk]

I own a 2014 Passat 2.5 with its kind of sort of unique 5 cylinder gas engine. And 155k miles later, I still love it. It doesn't give me any issues whatsoever. As it is my work vehicle, I spend hours in it driving every day, and the comfort on long distances is awesome. NYC to Florida with 1 stop on the way? It is possible 😉.
In a meantime, I have been in couple of rental passats (if not for rentals, I would have 200k miles on my vehicle), including 2020 and 2021 SE.
And while I agree, the 2.0TSI is not always the smoothest, putting the transmission in the S mode makes the vehicle more alive, especially when merging onto the highway.
Otherwise, it always returned more than EPA estimated MPGs, and can relatively easily achieve 40+mpg on the highway. And the tank size is another of Passats advantages- 18.5gal, combined with excellent mpgs makes for a perfect long distance cruiser, with at least 650 miles of range.
That said, as I am eyeing to get a replacement by the end of the year, my heart is a team Passat, but my brain is behind the new Accord hybrid.

[bobguttenberg]

You have mistakenly stated that there are no driving modes. Get back behind the wheel and select the S position for the shifter. You will be amazed

[markshattis]

Sucky roads are "what we're dealing with right now and hopefully that will improve. Of course, that's a whole nother conversation."
I think I get it and also think it would be great to be able to hear you having that conversation. 😊

[jodydanniballe]

I've been driving VW Passat's since 2006. I bought a new 2020 SEL and thoroughly enjoy driving it. Sorry to hear that 2022 will be it's last year. ps: My son in law put 250, 000 miles on his 2008 Passat.

[tag]

Hi Lauren, Have you reviewed the new "Limited Edition" Passat yet? While not hugely different, it does offer some nice features not available on the other trim levels. Things such as adaptive front lighting, and a power passenger seat and even heated REAR seats. The interior on the Limited edition is genuine Vienna leather plus other tweaks that make it an even more attractive value, plus the exclusivity of color offerings that are not available on the "regular" Passats, such as Racing Green Metallic with a very nice Mauro brown interior. I get that the engine may not be powerful enough for some, but it really depends on how you drive. Not everyone feels the need to launch quickly away from a traffic light, so to some it isn't too important. I have a 2018 Jetta SEL premium and look forward to upgrading up to a Limited edition Passat. Volkswagens thus far have treated me well and I'll gladly enjoy the last of the Passats in the Limited edition. I DO wish America could have gotten the European Passat - as that does appear to be a much more upgraded and technologically advanced car with very nice dash upgrades. I did like your point though about the analog gauges, should there ever be a problem with a digital dash. Nice point to make. Keep up the nice reviews! :)

[bobdavis]

2022 is the last year of this excellent car. Great car. Superb WA. Ups like this car. But I prefer the GTI

[billsheehy]

What is really scary about the Passat is the depreciation .

[christopher]

I live where it snows, I hope to see a 4 motion passat.

[Slim]

This is why the car has been discontinued!! Behind the competition

[jrs]

I drove one, rental, for a week while my own car had collision work. it was ok, but not up to the level of Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, etc. The USA version is dumbed down from the European model. Not a good move.
Vampire State roads suck despite highest tax burden in the country, thanks to the welfare party.😳😤🙄👎 Florida has 2 million more residents, yet state budget is only half of the vampire state. where can you guess all that extra money gets spent on?

[anthonysmitley]

Adaptive Cruise Control is not new for the 2021 year. My 2018 Passat R Line came standard with Adaptive Cruise Control.

[kratosgutierrez]

How's the sound🔊 features goodusic sound .

[KhrissyDaDon]

I thought this car was discontinued...

[mopartony]

“All new” Passat has been cancelled. 2022 last year it’ll be available in North America . Sedans are a dying niche.

[bextar]

I'm cancelling my order after hearing all your negative comments !

[midnight]

The Passat has a curious history. It never competed well in its class but was the only VW sedan with a roomy interior. I am embarrassed to say that I once considered a diesel. The car has a bit of a cult following, and while I don't have faith in VW, the Rabbit I owned didn't like me very much, there evidently are Passats around with 2 and even 3 hundred thousand miles on them.

[Crazyuncle]

Only 174 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque out of a turbocharged 2 Liter 4 is embarrassing for a German engineered car. Volvo gets 250 hp out of their turbocharged 2 liter 4 and 316hp by adding a supercharger.

[pbentsonable]

Exterior looks decent too bad the rest is such a let down.

[Jluislive]

Say what you will about is style, still looks better than a camry, accord or sonata.