What is the Volkswagen Passat?
The Passat is a mid-size family car, offered in saloon and estate body styles over its history. It has long served drivers who want room for passengers and luggage for everyday travel and longer journeys. Volkswagen now offers the European Passat as an estate, placing it among the brand’s larger family cars.
The Passat’s role has stayed practical even as its design and technology have changed. Its latest generation is built on Volkswagen’s MQB evo platform, bringing the model’s established estate format onto the latest version of the company’s modular vehicle architecture.
Passat generations
The North American line listed here begins with B3 (1990–1993), followed by B4 (1994–1997), B5 (1998–2001) and B5.5 (2001–2005). B6 (2006–2010) was sold in Europe and North America. Europe then had B7 (2010–2014), followed by B8 (2015–2023), and B9 began in 2024. North America also had a separate Passat, the NMS (2012–2022).
The latest European Passat is an estate. Earlier generations came in other body styles, and the North American NMS was a distinct line from the European B7 and B8.
Engines, power and official consumption
EU figures list engines from 1.4 to 3.6 litres and power from 77 kW (105 PS) to 220 kW (299 PS). Listed fuels include petrol, diesel, natural gas, flex fuel E85, hybrid and plug-in hybrid. The UK range spans 1.4 to 4.0 litres and 74 kW (100 PS) to 202 kW (275 PS).
The lowest listed EU consumption for petrol, diesel and hybrid versions is 4.6 L/100 km on WLTP. The lowest EU plug-in hybrid figure is 0.4 L/100 km WLTP, a weighted result that assumes some driving is electric. In the UK, the corresponding figures are 3.7 L/100 km and 1.7 L/100 km on NEDC. The best combined US EPA rating is 37 MPG; Canada’s lowest listed figure is 6.3 L/100 km on the NRCan 5-cycle test. European WLTP and NEDC, the US EPA procedure and Canada’s 5-cycle test differ, so their results are not directly comparable.
Where was the Passat sold?
The Passat appears in EU registration figures from 2010 to 2025, UK figures from 2000 to 2026, French figures from 2012 to 2015, US EPA figures from 1990 to 2022 and Canadian figures from 1995 to 2022. EU registrations total 4,005,684 over that period.
Questions and answers
Is the Passat a saloon or an estate?
It has been offered in several body styles. The latest European Passat is an estate.
What is the lowest listed EU fuel consumption?
The lowest listed figure for petrol, diesel and hybrid versions is 4.6 L/100 km on WLTP. The plug-in hybrid weighted figure is 0.4 L/100 km WLTP.
How powerful are Passat versions in the EU figures?
The listed EU range runs from 77 kW (105 PS) to 220 kW (299 PS).
Was the North American Passat the same as the European model?
North America had a separate Passat called NMS, listed for 2012–2022. The European range included the B7 and B8 generations.
