2014 Volkswagen Passat TDI Review - Test Drive

You think you want a mid size SUV? Have a look at the new VW Passat TDI first. You might be surprised what you can fit in it, oh and the fuel economy is amazing as well.

[@Motormouth...]

"nice place to spend some time" Love it

[@viktorkalashnikov2871]

Tennessee is beautiful lots of vegetation wildlife

[@rvtBC]

Good job on the review - informative and covered some real world, practical comparisons and items. The Passat isn't my cup of team but I still watched the whole review as it was well done.

[@EverydayReviews2022]

Thanks rvtBC. I try to convey my real world experiences with my reviews. The TDI isn't going to blow the doors off most things out there and doesn't have a huge wow factor but really was a great car to drive for everyday use - especially with the amazing fuel economy and room.

[@ericrusch8258]

Nice review paricularly in real world application and in small suv trend contrast.

[@malcolmi1]

A detailed and well-presented review of a really fine sedan. I bought a new 2012 Passat TDI Highline with 6-speed manual transmission in October 2011, and at 59,000 km it still delivers 5.2 l/100km on the highway in spacious, quiet comfort. The mileage would be better in the city - 6.6 or so - if I could restrain my impulse to run through the gears using all that torque! The car's been trouble-free, which is a tribute to the quality of VW's Chattanooga factory operation. It's pleasing to see that, 3 years later, VW is still getting it right with the Passat.

[@sweetfordfx4]

Great review. There would be even more room in the trunk if they got rid of those elbow hinges. Not sure why manufacturers still use them.

[@MrDodozor]

this guy would make a handy car salesman Cool review

[@robertpsotka3525]

Nice review

[@Dulqusley]

Love this car

[@Newsthink]

Hi Brian! I'm working on a story about VW and their diesel engine scandal. I'll be mentioning the Passat - may I use a few seconds fo your video? I'm happy to link to your full video in my description. Thank you - Cindy

[@UberKrispy]

Kind of reminds me of like a modern day Monte Carlo. Basic car. I think its very nice.

[@F-16Viper72]

I have this exact car and a 2015 fusion titanium AWD 2.0 EcoBoost and the Ford is better in everything but rear leg room and fuel economy. But the Ford is always much more powerful. I like both of these cars though

[@sgbradley]

Now if only VW could bring the pickup to Canada we would be in Heaven with the TDI.

[@EverydayReviews2022]

No kidding. Pretty slim change the Amarok will ever make it onto North American shores mainly due to the cost of safety certification and the so called 25% chicken tax on import pick up trucks - Unless they decided to build it in the US. Lets cross our fingers.

[@sgbradley]

Everyday Reviews Oh I hope so, a friend has one in Brazil & its awesome with the 2.0 litre but comes in only manual down there. 4.9 L/100Klms

[@sgbradley]

Everyday Reviews go to rantandrave30 & see a VW pull a FORD Ranger with its 2.0 vs a 3.0

[@Evan-memo]

I have 2003 Passat gas 1.8 turbo it’s killing me on gas it’s worst then v8 to be honest I’m looking into diesel in Canada gas is expensive as well as diesel but diesel last longer do you guys recommend Passat ? I wanted to get one for like 7 k 2011 to 2013 and also I live in apartment building outside would the car start fine in winter if not plugged in ? Cause I can’t plug it in outside and also anything I need to worry about when buying this car ? My Passat 2003 no issues at all driving it for a year now when I bought it but it’s killing me on gas if someone can answer let me know would be appreciated

[@chriskeller3705]

I’ve had one of these for three months and it already has electrical problems. It’s been in the shop twice for burned up alternators

[@LegacyIvyTerascale]

great review , but please choose all wheel drive equiped for other reviews

[@arnoldm889]

The music is too loud

[@paulm3886]

Your review basically hits the nail on the head however; I do have a love / hate relationship with our 2012 TDI SE. First I would like to answer the American reader’s request in regards to MPG. We have driven this car four times starting in December 2011, from SW Florida to Los Angeles, CA and back. The odometer displays currently 35,141.70 miles and we have pumped 892.899 gallons of fuel, which equals 38.237 MPG. We were caught in an unexpected snowstorm between Tucson, AZ and Fort Stockton, TX in December 2013, on our way back to SW Florida. We drove in deep snow between Van Horn and Fort Stockton, TX without snow chains and on the regular tires. This drive rounded out our driving experience with the TDI, namely in sunshine, heavy rain and heavy snow and the TDI behave excellently in all conditions. The dislikes; I do hate the 1977 Chevy seats of the TDI passionately. The seating surface has no lateral support and it can only be adjusted up or down. To make things worse it is slightly slanted toward the front and the middle of the car. I do have a hard time finding a good seating position because I keep sliding toward the front and the middle of the car consistently. The steering column is slightly offset towards the right of the seating position. The designers of the car most likely build the seat slant toward the middle of car in purposely to compensate for the offset searing column. This condition is forcing the drivers to slight in front of the steering wheel. The VW folks have added many gadgets to the newer TDI models, but are not capable of building a comfortable seat. We have driven Peugeot 407 and 308SW 1.6 Liter Diesel models every year since 1999, while in Europe on vacation. The only exception was 2002, when Chirac was in bed Saddam. The least expensive Peugeot models as well as the Mexican assembled VW Golf GTI have much better seat then the most expensive VW model build in Chattanooga, TN. It is a shame that they can’t get their royal behinds in gear, which is causing them to loos customer and I am one of them.

[@attmessage7684]

+Paul M sorry Paul, but where a customer is lost , there is also a customer gained!

[@paulm3886]

I pondered for a while whether to reply to your illogical post because of your rancorous and insulting posts to other commentators. However, I do not understand your logic and would like to know where the gained customer is when a customer is lost.

[@viktorkalashnikov2871]

Greetings from Manchester Tennessee

[@skullboosts4527]

What the blue "i" means in tdi because i have one of these and i wanna know what does it mean

[@thegeneral1955]

TDI = Turbo Direct Injection

[@skullboosts4527]

@@thegeneral1955 No i meant in this car if theres a blue i in tdi what does it mean

[@thegeneral1955]

@@skullboosts4527 It means it’s clean. It’s symboling that it has AdBlue (DEF)

[@skullboosts4527]

@@thegeneral1955 Ok thanks a lot for the help

[@shane7133]

oh you say 6.8 liters per 100 k? Sweet let me whip out the old conversion calculator and figure out what that actually means

[@UberKrispy]

Its like spending 10 bucks every 40000 miles. chump change

[@eggbirdtherooster]

too bad there isnt a stationwagon. by the way, the european passat is way better lookin than this car

[@juanreynoso9653]

This thing is a piece of s*** I own one but it's a TDI they reduce the mileage from 720 to the tank two around under 500 The back-up camera and the radio have failed it goes in and out and it cost about $1,000 I have a hundred and twenty thousand miles and already have engine leaks mainly diesel oil I myself will probably not buy another Volkswagen it was supposed to be saving me money but in the end it's costing me money. Also it is not as roomy as this guy makes it out to be especially if you have a couple of big fellas in the car.