2012 Volkswagen Passat Reviews, Pricing & Specs














































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































What owners say
"Overall, drivers really enjoy the 2012 Volkswagen Passat for its comfort, fuel efficiency, and range of features. Many praise its spacious interior, smooth ride, and impressive gas mileage, with some noting it can reach over 40 mpg. However, there are a few downsides, such as missing heated seats in some models, concerns about the clutch needing service, and a slow GPS navigation system. Overall, it's a solid choice for those looking for a family-friendly sedan."
The 2012 Passat has been a great car the first 14,000 miles. Great gas mileage on the road approaches 33 mpg and the torquey 170 hp 5 cylinder gives plenty of pep for most. VW handles well, and has plenty of room for all but the very tall. Anyone set on a Toyota Camry or Chevy Impala, Honda Accord, needs to take a look at the new Passat.
June 15, 2012I purchased The 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL premium. 112,000 miles. My first time owning a VW, also my first time owning a diesel. What an incredible vehicle this is, it’s sleek, simple, and drives fantastic. Has the low end torque when you need it, so it can make a pass on the freeway with ease. The inside is not only comfortable but very spacious and roomy. I’m 6’4 225 LBS for reference. I can sit in the front seat with ample room, can sit in the back right behind the driver, with the drivers seat still in the same position. I still was comfortable in the back. That says it all. It will seat 4 adults with no issue. The gas mileage is impressive, I’ve always had trucks or 4x4 SUV’s getting 15 or less MPG. What a relief it is not having to routinely stop for gas 2 times a week. I get a whopping 40MPG! 18.6 gallons of diesel lasts me 2 weeks, with current diesel prices it only costs me 40 bucks a week to commute. I got the SEL premium trim which is totally worth it, upgraded leather seats, premium large screen navigation (even has weather radar function) a premium FENDER sound system with 9 speakers and a subwoofer in the trunk, the music sounds crisp clear and loud. Keyless entry, push to start, sun roof. I’m very satisfied with the SEL trim. Only thing you’ll be missing is a backup camera. (Have no idea why they left that off the top trim level) This car was taken good care of. The maintenance has been mostly kept up with, which is extremely critical with a Volkswagen. If you do the service intervals as proposed you can have a long lasting vehicle. Timing belts are the big one (120,000) if you skip out on that and the belt pops while driving, you just killed the motor (interference engine). also the transmission fluid/filter every 40,000 miles.
September 22, 20232.5L 5 cylinder engine has a good reputation for reliability and low maintenance. Bluetooth, premium radio/CD/with satellite. A step up from the Jetta. Very smooth ride. Purchased 1 week ago.
February 3, 2021What owners say
The 2012 Passat has been a great car the first 14,000 miles. Great gas mileage on the road approaches 33 mpg and the torquey 170 hp 5 cylinder gives plenty of pep for most. VW handles well, and has plenty of room for all but the very tall. Anyone set on a Toyota Camry or Chevy Impala, Honda Accord, needs to take a look at the new Passat.
June 15, 2012I purchased The 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SEL premium. 112,000 miles. My first time owning a VW, also my first time owning a diesel. What an incredible vehicle this is, it’s sleek, simple, and drives fantastic. Has the low end torque when you need it, so it can make a pass on the freeway with ease. The inside is not only comfortable but very spacious and roomy. I’m 6’4 225 LBS for reference. I can sit in the front seat with ample room, can sit in the back right behind the driver, with the drivers seat still in the same position. I still was comfortable in the back. That says it all. It will seat 4 adults with no issue. The gas mileage is impressive, I’ve always had trucks or 4x4 SUV’s getting 15 or less MPG. What a relief it is not having to routinely stop for gas 2 times a week. I get a whopping 40MPG! 18.6 gallons of diesel lasts me 2 weeks, with current diesel prices it only costs me 40 bucks a week to commute. I got the SEL premium trim which is totally worth it, upgraded leather seats, premium large screen navigation (even has weather radar function) a premium FENDER sound system with 9 speakers and a subwoofer in the trunk, the music sounds crisp clear and loud. Keyless entry, push to start, sun roof. I’m very satisfied with the SEL trim. Only thing you’ll be missing is a backup camera. (Have no idea why they left that off the top trim level) This car was taken good care of. The maintenance has been mostly kept up with, which is extremely critical with a Volkswagen. If you do the service intervals as proposed you can have a long lasting vehicle. Timing belts are the big one (120,000) if you skip out on that and the belt pops while driving, you just killed the motor (interference engine). also the transmission fluid/filter every 40,000 miles.
September 22, 20232.5L 5 cylinder engine has a good reputation for reliability and low maintenance. Bluetooth, premium radio/CD/with satellite. A step up from the Jetta. Very smooth ride. Purchased 1 week ago.
February 3, 2021I love this car!!! It has all the bells and whistles that I could ever asked for. The car drives amazing too!!! I seriously recommend buying a Volkswagen!!
October 14, 2020Overall I love this car. I love the diesel engine and its amazing torque. I love the DSG transmission and its super quick shifts. I love the amazing fuel mileage. I use the car as my daily driver and for work. My job involves seeing customers all over southern California and this car is prety close to perfect for my needs. It is roomy (I am 6'2) and is the only car in many years that I have been truly comfortable in. There is plenty of leg room and head room for me, and if I get in the back, I sit extremely comfortably in the back seat with the front seat adjusted the way I need it. The car is maybe not a true sports sedan but I never expected that it would be. It cruises very very comfortably on the freeway and when I want to "play" a little on tight back roads, the steering tightens up very nicely with good response and the car feels very very stable and solid through turns. The sound system sounds really fantastic with clear, powerful sound that is just a joy to listen to. The only downsides I have found so far, is the GPS navigation system is generally slow (has a slow CPU) and the tires that came on my car are noisy when driving on rough roads.
October 25, 2012Liked everything so far. I have only had it for 3 months with no issues. Ride is smooth and fun. Could use a little bit more power when accelerating. Safety windows are nice to have. Great hands free phone system.
September 6, 2012This car was great. I did much out of town traveling and experienced great MPG through my interstate travels. Even better while traveling down two-lane roadways at 65-70 MPH. Very roomy car with lots of cargo space for baggage.
March 27, 2015I loved the style and handling, I was worried about the breaking system and reports about the car being slow to stop, but have had no problems so far. The back seat area is great for our kids. The head room (Im 5'10" ) is not comfortable for me and I have trouble getting in and out the passenger side. The driver's side is not problem for me and it fits my wife like a glove. I am still impressed by how roomy the car is and the cargo capacity. We can fold down the rear seats and it fits sports equipment with ease.
December 28, 2014You can see the family DNA here. It looks and feels like an Audi, at much less money. An amazing amount of luxury and performace for the price, and 30+ MPG. Autobahn safe, but not autobahn fast. The nav system is good with the Sirius Travel link (provides realtime traffic data and re-routing). And the Fender sound system is better than any Bose or Harmon Kardon system I have had before.
January 8, 2013There is not too much not to like about this vehicle, all of its reviews and receive 5 stars for just about every category.the car is one of the most cleanest emissions vehicles in the country let alone the world world.And at 32 miles per gallon what's not to love about that
August 30, 2014Trims & specs
Base MSRP $22,945 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 170 hp I5 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $30,895 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.6L 280 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $25,845 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 170 hp I5 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $26,995 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 170 hp I5 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $33,995 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.6L 280 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $29,995 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.0L 140 hp I4 Diesel | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 35 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $20,845 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 170 hp I5 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 27 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $28,295 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.0L 140 hp I4 Diesel | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 35 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $23,945 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 170 hp I5 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 27 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $28,925 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 170 hp I5 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $28,925 | Seating 5 |
Engine 2.5L 170 hp I5 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 26 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $29,235 | Seating 5 |
Engine 3.6L 280 hp V6 | Cargo Capacity 15.9 cu ft |
Combined MPG 24 | Drivetrain FWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$19,995 - $32,950
Current avg. market price
$6,749
Trending down by 0.1% this month
April 2026 - October 2026







