2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI - Drive Time Review with Steve Hammes | TestDriveNow

Drive Time review of the 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL Premium by auto critic Steve Hammes. MSRP as tested: $33,710.

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2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI - Drive Time Review with Steve Hammes | TestDriveNow

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[chrisengletx]

I just bought a 2013 Passat TDI SEL.. I cannot begin to describe how much i love it, the torque-y feel is amazing for normal driving, the car has the most leg room i've ever experienced, and the mileage is in the 40's so far, for real. with a fairly heavy food. The car is loaded. It wasn't cheap, but i nailed a $4700 off MSRP due to the last of the 2013's, which put the price down to about $29k, loaded with every possible option- nav, fender audio, leather/suede, etc..r

[stevehammes]

Good question. I haven't driven an M3 in YEARS. BMW can be difficult sometimes in getting just the car you want to test.

[lando]

Here in FL, diesel is $3.94 and premium unleaded runs between $4.00 and $4.11 at the stations near me. With my 06 Acura TSX requiring premium and getting combined ~26mpg for ~400 miles per tank, diesel is a strong consideration for me in my next vehicle.

[stevehammes]

At the current generation Prius press launch a few years back, a colleague and I finished first in a mileage contest against other journalists. So I have experience in hypermiling techniques. But with most hybrids, a "normal" driving style yields disappointing results. With a TDI, you can still have "fun" driving moments and carefree driving and get just what the EPA estimates or better.

[stevehammes]

One cautionary tale with the diesel vs. gas numbers. For instance, the Passat V6 requires premium gas...so VW is going to tell you that buying a TDI isn't going to shock you quite as much at the pump.

[johncusanelli]

I just purchased the 2013 Passat TDI SE model and I love it. This video accurately describes the fuel economy and driving experience. Drive one before considering your next vehicle.

[Hamjoli]

Same here. I have 2013 Passat TDI SE and I get 43MPG. Very happy with mileage and I do not care about AdBlue. It cost less than $9 for half gallon bottle but compare to fuel savings, high mileage and fun to drive that is nothing. Besides, I do not have to worry for next 3 years or 36, 000 mileage because it is being taken care of by VW free.

[FirstHillSeattle]

Good point....I don't think that most of the country realizes that diesel is often at par with gasoline or sometimes even cheaper on the west coast.

[Lanier]

I'm a fan.
I checked out a Passat at a VW dealership a while back, but never considered the diesel alternative. I think the thing that attracts me the most is the mileage numbers. 700 miles on a tank? Pretty remarkable.

[googlyg]

Hopefully diesel is FINALLY catching on in this country! Let's thank VW for not giving up. Great review! I will note that while I agree with you that don't have to baby the TDI to get great mileage, if you do slow it down on the highway you will be rewarded with even better mileage. I've hit 55 MPG in my '11 Golf TDI. Crazy!!

[stevehammes]

Some of the video was repurposed from the 2012 shoot. So good for you on picking that up!

[islandgirl]

Steve, what were separate mileage numbers (city and highway) for the C-Max hybrid? I thought out got in the high 30s on the highway, but don't recall you mentioning a city figure. Hybrids are at their best, and most efficient, in city traffic.

Re: diesel prices -- Diesel costs 75¢ more per gallon than regular unleaded in my area, and a few years ago when gas neared $5 a gallon, diesel was $1.40 more per gallon than regular unleaded. That's a big difference.

[rrt]

Thanks Steve for a good review, another group went from West coast to East coast with this same car full of Adults, bags, etc and got that and better mileage. Try doing that with your Hybrid. Another study showed how the Prius is less green over its life span than a Hummer. This Hybrid craze makes no sense.

[stchman]

You can get DEF(diesel exhaust fluid) at Autozone for $5 to $6 a gallon. All you need is the 32.5% urea 67.5 distilled water mixture. Don't pay those ridiculous prices for AdBlue no matter how much the dealership wants to screw you out of money.

All you need to do is keep one of the bottles, cut the top off to use as a funnel.

[donaldames]

Dave Dunn:  In many places in the US, diesel fuel is now cheaper than premium gasoline.  The University of Michigan recently completed a study which showed that diesel-powered autos enjoy a 20-30% cheaper cost of ownership for the first five years when compared to gasoline powered cars.  We're on our second Passat TDI, and drive cross-country from South Carolina to Arizona twice a year.  In addition to incredible fuel mileage (44-46 mpg at 70-75 mph), the Passat is extremely roomy, incredibly comfortable to drive, and has a HUGE trunk to boot.  I don't know of any other automobile that offers these features for the price of a Passat TDI.  For my money, it's an incredible value!

[myt]

vw diesel engines are designed for normal diesel not premium diesel . i have clarified that issue with the dealership

[madjak]

I agree about the diesel being the better bet...I drive a Ram 2500 MegaCab and my average highway consumption is 11.5L/100kms (24.5mpg imp~20.4mpg US). Guys at work with 1/2ton trucks are usually around 16L/100kms(17.6mpg imp~14.7mpg US). The diesel does cost more, but with my consumption & range being so much better...sometimes convenience comes into it, especially if you are off in the boonies!

Jetta TDI is my next car...without a doubt!

[amosjsoma]

I would love to agree with you because I would love to buy a diesel but as of today, in my town, regular gas is $3.459 compared to diesel at $4.339. That's about 25%. My Honda Accord gets 35 to 38 mpg on the highway. The TDI has to get 44 to 47 to compare. I use Consumers Report to compare long term quality because that information comes directly from owners and VW can't hold a candle to Honda in that comparison.

[stevehammes]

You won't get anywhere near 40mpg in those cars...trust me. And this Passat is SO much better than the Altima that it puts it to shame.

[tcddave]

The Mazda 6 and Nissan Altima get nearly 40 mpg highway and cost thousands less than the Passat TDI. They have no need for exhaust fluid, no need to pay $0.40 more for messy diesel fuel, no need for complex turbocharging or unreliable DPF systems.