, but it still has a solid following in Europe among family buyers with traditional tastes and business drivers. VW has sold more than 30 million Passats since the first one appeared in 1973, but adding to that total has meant some important changes for the latest car, which goes on sale in spring 2024.
The last Euro Passat was launched way back in 2014 so with the new one VW had the opportunity to upgrade to the company’s modern MQB Evo platform. It’s the one used on cars like the Mk8, upcoming Tiguan and Audi’s A3, and opened up new possibilities for hybrid power and driver assistance systems on the Passat, which also gets a 2.0 inches wheelbase stretch over the outgoing model.
Other engine options include a mild-hybrid 1.5 eTSI , a pair of 2.0 TSI motors kicking out 201 hp and 261 hp , and threeranging from 120 hp to 190 hp . Only the top-spec 2.0-liter petrol and diesel options break from the FWD convention to deliver all-wheel drive traction, but whichever powertrain you go for it’ll be backed by a dual-clutch transmission controlled by a new stalk-mounted shifter.The new Passat’s wheelbase stretch means more room for passengers to stretch out.
The base Passat doesn’t come with a ton of luxury kit, but it does have the safety angle covered thanks to features like adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, parking sensors, auto braking, lane-keeping and road sign recognition. But step up to Business – a clear reminder of who buys most– and you gain three-zone climate, more USB-C chargers, partially electric seats with massage function and assistance with lights and parking.