2019 Volkswagen Passat Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The current generation of Volkswagen Passat is a vastly different today than it was when it first arrived in 2012. Since its introduction, it’s seen an overhauled engine lineup, a comprehensive refresh, and a redesigned technology stack. Volkswagen offers a simplified lineup for 2019.
The previously available V6 option is no more. All Passats this year benefit from a single engine, in the form of a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The sedan will likely feel faster than it is because all that torque is available as low as 1,600 rpm. Power goes to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission, and fuel economy stands at 25 mpg city, 36 highway, and 29 combined.
2019 pares down the six trims from last year to just two: the Wolfsburg Edition and the SE R-Line. The good news is that the Wolfsburg Edition features more standard content than the S trim it replaces: 17-inch alloy wheels, a 6.3-inch touchscreen, keyless access and start, leatherette, a leather steering wheel, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors. With the optional Wheel & Roof package, you’ll get 18-inch alloy wheels and a power sunroof.
Meanwhile the SE R-Line trim keeps the same sportier interior and exterior elements as last year’s R-Line, while throwing in additional content to top out the lineup. Standard features include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, LED daytime-running lights, LED taillights, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, and Fender premium audio.
Despite its age, Volkswagen includes a competitive set of standard and optional safety features on the Passat. Every model gets forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking below 18 mph, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, post-collision braking, and a crash-response system. That last feature shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights after certain types of collisions. Opt for the SE R-Line and you’ll get adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and front and rear parking sensors. The Passat received good scores in most categories during its last round of crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The Volkswagen Passat has always been an attractive, well-styled, and spacious midsize sedan with room for five. And while there’s no doubt that the simplified 2019 model is better than before, it has stiff competition from the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. However, one area in which the Volkswagen definitely excels is the 6-year/72,000-mile full warranty it introduced in 2018, which carries forward into this year.
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2019 Volkswagen Passat Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Single front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 6
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.3 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.7 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.23
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: app marketplace integration · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 6.3 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Halogen
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: rear · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Car-Net
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Fender premium brand · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 400 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.3 · Front brake width: 1.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.7 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Dash trim: simulated carbon fiber · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: simulated carbon fiber · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.23
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: chrome · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 6.3 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: alert system · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front and rear · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 16.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Car-Net · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse