Volkswagen Passat

Name: 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Brand: Volkswagen

EPA MPG: 25 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 25 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 11 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 11 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 11 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 11 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

Introduced for 2012, Volkswagen's midsized sedan was redesigned and optimized for the American market. In other words, it grew larger than most of its competitors, lost some of that crisp European driving feel and became less expensive.

2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Volkswagen Passat

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Malibu

Ford Fusion

Honda Accord

Hyundai Sonata

Nissan Altima

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

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Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

See How All Brands Stack up

Volkswagen vs. Other New Car Brands

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Good

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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2012 Midsized cars Ratings

2012 Volkswagen Passat

$4,875 - $5,725

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

$4,425 - $5,150

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chrysler 200

$4,050 - $5,500

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Dodge Avenger

$4,275 - $4,725

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Fusion

$5,350 - $6,275

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda Accord

$7,300 - $8,400

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Genesis

$6,325 - $7,125

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Sonata

$4,825 - $5,850

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

$4,825 - $5,850

EPA MPG NA

Road test

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Optima

$5,150 - $5,750

EPA MPG 28 mpg

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Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mazda 6

$5,425 - $6,450

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mitsubishi Galant

$4,275 - $4,775

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Altima

$4,425 - $5,825

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Subaru Legacy

$5,575 - $8,400

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Suzuki Kizashi

$2,850 - $4,750

EPA MPG 26 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Camry

$7,250 - $8,500

EPA MPG 29 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

$7,250 - $8,500

EPA MPG 39 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen CC

$4,525 - $5,475

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

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Features & Specs

sedan

2 front, 3 rear

Front

2-liter 4 turbodiesel (140 hp)
2.5-liter 5 (170 hp)
3.6-liter V6 (280 hp)

6-speed automatic
6-speed sequential
5-speed manual
6-speed manual

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

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Model History

2020-2022

2020 Redesign Year

The changes to the updated 2020 Passat help the midsized sedan keep pace with the competition in terms of infotainment and a full complement of standard advanced safety features. The Passat also retains its generous interior space and responsive handling. The ride is on the firm side but absorbs bumps decently. The 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission deliver power effortlessly, but initial acceleration from a stop feels a bit abrupt and fuel economy trails the competition. The front seats are comfortable and rear-seat occupants benefit from limousine-like spaciousness. The trunk is large. Controls are very easy to use, and so is the infotainment system. 2022 is the final year for the Passat.

2012-2019

2012 Redesign Year

Optimized for the American market, the 2012 redesign brought lots of room front and rear, but it was a step backward in terms of fit and finish. It also lost some of its crisp European driving feel, though it became less expensive. We'd look for this generation of the Passat with at least a power driver's seat, the touchscreen infotainment system, and a backup camera. The top-line SEL V6 offers plenty of power and plusher accommodations than lower-trim Passats. Keep in mind though, VW's cheating on EPA emissions tests. Be sure any used diesel you consider received the fixes and passes smog before buying it.

2006-2010

2006 Redesign Year

The Passat has long been known for a quiet and comfortable ride, capable handling and a quality interior treatment. A mid-2001 freshening improved it even more. For 2006, the Passat was completely redesigned and grew larger. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder got 24 mpg while the quicker, stronger 3.6-liter V6 got 22 mpg in our tests. However, the ride wasn't as isolated as it was previously. Fit and finish remained excellent; while crash test results are similarly outstanding. This version of the Passat ranks near the top of the family sedan category. The V6 and AWD were dropped in 2009. There was no 2011 model.

1998-2005

1998 Redesign Year

The Passat long had a comfortable, quiet ride, capable handling, and an interior that exuded quality. A mid-2001 freshening improved it. The turbo four-cylinder delivers lively performance and the V6 is quiet and strong. AWD is available but makes the car slower and thirstier. The turbodiesel that debuted in 2004 averaged 28 mpg in our tests. Fit and finish remained excellent.