2020 VW Passat | Family Review

Thanks to my day job at Kelley Blue Book, I drive and review lots of cars. The 2020 VW Passat is one of them. When the current generation Passat arrived in 2011, I was impressed by its gargantuan rear seat legroom and comfortable ride. For 2020, the Volkwagen Passat is new. Or rather “new”.
With a casual glance the new Passat doesn’t seem very different from the previous model year. Despite swapping nearly all the exterior body panels the 2020 Passat looks a nearly identical to the 2019 Passat. The interior has a similarly dated vibe. Compare numbers between the 2019 and 2020 Passat and the passenger and cargo dimensions are exactly the same. In total, what seems like an all-new Passat is really just a refresh. With a new Hyundai Sonata hitting dealers and continued strong sales from the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the Passat does not look well positioned to compete in an already shrinking midsize sedan market.
For this review my wife, daughter, and I hopped aboard a 2020 Passat on an extended journey to visit family. Along the way we tested family friendliness, practicality, interior, cargo space, and, of course, the arm rests. We also sampled the dynamic cruise control and lane keeping systems, discovering a few surprises along the way. Perhaps the biggest surprise was an issue that occurred when leaving from a stop. Our time with the new Passat was marked by inconsistent acceleration. Sometimes there were problems pulling away (weird lag followed by sudden acceleration), other times it was fine. That unpredictable nature marred our Passat review.
Even with its issues we appreciated the 2020 VW Passat’s roomy cabin, family friendly design, and smooth ride. Were those positives enough to outweight the negatives? Watch and find out. #MicahDrives
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[@MicahMuzio]

Considering the changes are you satisfied with the updated 2020 Passat?

[@JaredRosenholtz]

I'm a VW fan, but not really. I can barely tell it's new.

[@amirmasoudsepehr4947]

The MQB Passat is far better

[@mjhowson2389]

I think they played it way too safe. I thought it was a Mid-Cycle Refresh. My guess is they purposely spent as little as possible given the shrinking sedan market.

[@MicahMuzio]

MJ Howson To be clear, it was a mid-cycle but if you’re changing all the body panels, maybe aim for a bit more flair.

[@JaredRosenholtz]

@@MicahMuzio no, I think this is a new generation, not a refresh.

[@JaredRosenholtz]

I think your daughter wanted to know if the Passat is compact or mid-size, lol. She's a car reviewer in training.

[@madmaxine12]

I think the car is quite handsome inside and out.

[@krane15]

Including the fake exhausts?

[@JaredRosenholtz]

This is such a fun way to review a car!

[@MicahMuzio]

Jared Rosenholtz For simply driving a Passat to Taco Bell, this video really was a lot of fun to make. 🤘

[@attar81]

@@MicahMuzio Taco Tuesday!

[@JaredRosenholtz]

@@MicahMuzio I love that you do these along with your normal KBB stuff. I can't believe we still haven't met at a press event yet, but I'm sure we will next year!

[@xanaduzu5150]

Yep, I think Yuri and Jakub from @thestraightpipes have successfully demonstrated that conversational style car reviews are the way to go. So much more lively and entertaining. Kinda strange it took this long for people to notice considering Siskel and Ebert were doing this 40 years ago for movie reviews.

[@tonyvargas368]

I’ve owned a 2002 and 2007 Passat. Both were nice cars and they each had their quality problems. The 2007 had serious transmission problems. Even while under warranty, VW was not willing to fix it. It was the last time I was foolish enough to buy a VW.

[@cornerofthemoon]

Most Passat buyers (like myself) are those who really wanted a expensive German sedan like an Arteon ,Audi, or BMW but are unable or unwilling to fork over the exorbitant costs for the latter. But the 2020 Passat is not a bad compromise. With the current "Corona" deals VW is offering at the moment I got my Passat for a steal.

[@jacobreed47]

As long as the white van review is shirtless while eating Taco Bell.

[@MicahMuzio]

Acuravigor47 The Double Meat Thirsty Chalupa episode.

[@jonatamaniuk]

Micah I think between you and The Straightpipes I’ve never had so many laughs watching car reviews. And as a guy who hopes to be expanding my family in the next few years, I’m all for the full family reviews. You’re right about the car, great (but not overly compelling) family sedan. Looking forward to more of this format, good sir!

[@NinjaDecimator]

I hate to say this, but your even said something similar in the video. The Camry looks nicer than this. "Look at the Camry!" I didn't think another car maker could make a more boring looking interior but VW pulled it off. That said, another great review man! Love that you bring your family along for the ride.

[@MicahMuzio]

Thanks for the kind words. And thanks for looking at the Camry!!!!! 😁

[@Tinrs80]

I remember Many many years ago the Passat was the High quality luxury car for the class. Not so much the case anymore i guess. Thanx for the review. Happy Holidays to your and your family.

[@MicahMuzio]

Happy holidays to you, Terriell!!

[@krane15]

It was the leader in its class. Always a step above in materials to the other big three.

[@afcgeo882]

When they created this China/North America Passat, they made it cheaper, larger and a total bore to drive.

[@DJL78]

Your daughter deserves to behold the beauty that is the Mazda Mazda6.

[@FLJAMESFL]

I love my 2018 Passat R-line, but I must say he’s so right about the throttle mapping.

[@vividvulpe9842]

does disabling traction control help? Can u disable traction control? lol

[@mjhowson2389]

I had a 2000 Passat with the VR6 engine and manual transmission. It was a total blast to drive. It was also a total POS. Lots of problems, including the cooling system failing a few months after the horribly short warranty ended. The dealer was kind enough to repair it free of charge. When I asked the service manager how a cooling system could fail so soon, he simply said "cheap parts" and lowered his head. It was my first and last VW. Fantastic driver, though. When it wasn't in the shop.

[@MicahMuzio]

MJ Howson Thanks for sharing your experience. Evie and I can corroborate the dicey reliability of early 2000s VWs.

[@drambie]

I had a lot of fun watching this family review. Your four year old is adorable. Cheers,

[@smarzig]

you always bring good energy to your reviews.

[@MicahMuzio]

smarzig Yup. They’re called my wife and kiddo. 😆

[@smarzig]

@@MicahMuzio I have your KBB Chevy Bolt video review on a USB drive and play that to new people coming into the car :-)

[@MicahMuzio]

smarzig That’s awesome to hear! Funny you mention the Bolt video. That specific car is the one that took my dad from electric car skeptic to believer. Or at least “less skeptical”. 😁

[@djcoronel]

Evelyn's new hairstyle looks great on her!

[@MicahMuzio]

Evie says "Thanks so much!!"

[@4784gperkins]

I like when Micah winks at the camera! 😉

[@MicahMuzio]

4784gperkins 😉

[@otterylexa4499]

You guys are hilarious. You get me to watch a review of a car I'm not even interested in.

[@esme9122]

Thank you for this awesome review on VW Passat!! Great Job Micah and the Muzio Family!! 👍🏻😃Hope all is well with you and your awesome beautiful family!! great team work on this fun video!

[@ronaldcampbell17]

More family car reviews!! Love them.

[@kencoleman8929]

"I bet this hard plastic cleans up nice. You'd be fiiine..." 😂⚘

[@ForgotToMentionThat]

Nothing beats a feel good car review such as this one.

[@julianmukerji9371]

So I have a B6 and took my friends in my passat to look at the new Passat and they thought mine was newer 😂

[@FlyGuy457]

Ok, I watched the first one on KbB. I watched this one,,fully-note to self. I find these remarkable. I learn more because there are more than one viewpoint, I am entertained and a non-professional reviewer (Micah) gets to tell me all about the car while the pro (wife). You three make a great team. Go team!

[@MicahMuzio]

Hehe! Thanks for the views on both channels! Thankfully here I've got Evie to carry my dead weight! :)

[@germanium1872]

The Passat looks the best out of all the sedans in it's class

[@mkel0385]

Your wife is funny. She’s awesome

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

The Passat is the car you see in every street here in the netherlands...

[@dadov7238]

No more 6 year/ 72000 miles VW warranty, 2020 VW cars have 4 year/50000 miles warrranty. Did we talk about VW reliability???????

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Howdy, awesome review as always! You’re family is so cute!😸😻😸

[@omars.8073]

The car just looks like it was new maybe three or four years ago. Nothing terribly ground-breaking or even relevant in this "new" model.

[@geigerzoola6642]

Your daughter deserves the new Sonata

[@shopwithaaron]

With all that rear seat room VW could play it up making it the right place to sit...Thinking cooling messaging and peasant blockers for sure...great time as always!! Be safe!

[@rmknicks]

I'm a fan of VAG, I own an Audi, but I would never consider this. I am also a fan of the Muzio family road tests and "bonus folds." As to your shirtlessness, I would suggest washing your daily driver in a speedo. And make sure to use extra suds.

[@UnnDunn]

Your daughter clearly isn’t impressed by the Passat parking itself. 😁

[@GamJabbas]

Good to see your family review from Korea.

[@clilesny]

Hello Micah, Now that VW is offering a 20 year / 200,000 mile warranty in the wake of COVID-19 for the 2020 Passat, what do you think about value and reliability? I look forward to an update to this review. Keep up the great work, cheers.

[@krispykareem2112]

“You could literally get poop on it and wipe it right off.” -Micah Muzio (2019)

[@ashantedula5696]

My Jetta has rachet armrest and I love it

[@robertwilliams6218]

That 2.0T engine does the same inconsistant power in the Tiguan. It's so disappointing

[@stephenhendricks103]

Of the many features of my GTI that I love, the ratcheting center console ranks near the top. I cannot understand why other brands don't offer the feature as it makes finding a comfortable elbow rest regardless of arm length and I'm especially amazed that it has been dropped on the Passat.

[@2004cyrus]

Stephen Hendricks wow Stephen this is the shortest comment I’ve ever seen you leave! Lol

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

Much better sedans from Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Chevy and others. Only smart way to get one of these is the base model and at serious discount. The European version is far superior. This Passat is a throwback to the Eighties. At least the VW sedans have decent interior space

[@mattdinan6990]

I like this new boffo turn, Micah.

[@MicahMuzio]

Matt Dinan Thanks, man! These videos have proven surprisingly fun to make.

[@josuanrodriguez5175]

VW are pretty reliable, but sometimes....not so much. Also, the old passat gens were everything but reliable.

[@krane15]

Average reliability at best. VW have never been too reliable. Then again, that's true for all German cars -- Audis notwithstanding.

[@some1indsm]

As you are closing in on 100k subs, what’s the status of the windowless white van review? Is shirtless Micah still on the table?

[@MicahMuzio]

Guess we'll have to see.

[@evankatz2893]

Micah,Vw of America should Drop Their Entire Lineup From your Helicopter into The Nearest Body Of Water. All The Best, Evan.

[@MicahMuzio]

We’re gonna need a bigger 🚁!

[@raakkor6024]

Hey Micah, I know there are tons of tacoma reviews already out there, but I would really love to get your perspective, of the 2020 model year. Any plans on doing that? or in the making? I have always driven a car, excluding my first car a 1999 Isuzu amigo.

[@alliejr]

More Evie!!!

[@MicahMuzio]

alliejr I agree! More Evie definitely coming to the channel.

[@ast5515]

It's a oversized Jetta. Looks cheap, no innovation whatsoever.

[@xanaduzu5150]

I think VW has a lot of disdain for Americans. This Passat was designed specifically for us and this is what they think we want. Cushy ride, roomy rear seat, and a low price. They're correct, to a point, but the competition is delivering so much more these days that those three attributes just aren't enough anymore, especially in a world gone bonkers for crossovers.

[@ast5515]

@@xanaduzu5150 Just look at the euro Passat. It's still not a segment leader in terms of desirability or driving dynamics or room, but it's a good package. It makes a case for itself. The US version doesn't. And this is coming from a person who knows both of them. I live in Europe but spent last summer in the US for work/holiday.

[@krane15]

@@xanaduzu5150 As I point out above -- VW after dieselgate.

[@tyo8223]

Looks like the dashboard vents were inspired by a 1989 Chevrolet Corcisa, looked bad then looks bad now

[@oliverstemp9132]

It would have been better if VW had rebadged the Skoda Superb as a VW rather than created this

[@afcgeo882]

I agree. I’d love to have the full Škoda line here, re-badged as a VW.

[@yssej]

The blinkers I hate them

[@robb.675]

Just a comment- VW has changed their warranty for '20 to 4year, 50,000. With the first two years of service being free.

[@MicahMuzio]

Thanks for the comment! When VW unveiled the 2020 Passat the 6-year warranty was still in place. Consequently the press materials I was referring to were incorrect.

[@ast5515]

Please do a Micah Flies video with your family :)

[@MicahMuzio]

ast5515 Will do!

[@drea177cha5er]

Hahaha literally get poop on it lol love these reviews, such cute family

[@robertforce888]

Okay question . I searched for new cars and to compare the availability of the Ford Fusion throughout America is just over 20,000 units and only 1,500 New Passats available . Why so many less units available ?

[@MicahMuzio]

If we're talking 2020 models, VW is still ramping up production. Ford also sells many more Fusions than VW sells Passats, resulting in a much larger inventory.

[@robertforce888]

Micah Muzio thanks for clearing that up. I always thought the Passat sold as many units as the fusion. Thanks for the info. You are the man with the answers!

[@MicahMuzio]

@@robertforce888 Happy to assist!

[@JamesCovalentBond]

Can you please do family review for 2020 Sonata??😭

[@MicahMuzio]

Minhyung Kim Yes! Our Sonata review will arrive in about 2 weeks.

[@shaesham]

VW says you have to buy the arteon if you want an adjustable arm rest!!! No adjustment for you.

[@rickhamilton620]

Did ya notice the steering wheel that's off center to the driver's seat?

[@MicahMuzio]

Honestly, there was enough other stuff to distract me. But I'm sure once you're aware it's hard to unsee.

[@419rlanthony]

I guess my eyes are terrible too unless the video quality on my phone is flat out unexceptional because the material on the dash looks like wood to me from the further away shots but the closer the camera zooms in I can tell that it's fake so... 🤷

[@kencoleman8929]

Doesn't 6yr warranty for Atlas go away in 2020?

[@MicahMuzio]

Ken Coleman It’s a bit confusing according to VW’s press materials whether the 6-yr applies to the 2020 Passat or but yes. It looks like Volkswagen is ditching their long warranty. 😐

[@georanchurchill2774]

I love Taco Bell and the Passat!! :)

[@andrewhillman9632]

The Passat leaves me cold and it is Very Cold in Space...... See what I did their.....

[@SilverScarletSpider]

Toyota Camry wins.

[@Yondaily]

Nothing

[@projectpamaphd7042]

The 2014 Passat looks good... wait... it’s 2020? 😖

[@whatevernevermind5960]

This car is really a half-ass effort by VW.

[@krane15]

A broken company. Look to their next generation of electric cars.

[@krane15]

This generation of VW does not stand out. In fact, it looks like someone took a pencil and paper and went around listing everything about the car they could take off to save money. Those cheap goose neck rear lid hinges are a perfect example of that. As for the half down rear windows, my OCD will not allow me to buy any car where the rear window doesn't go all the way down. Just knowing that that is the case would bother me. As for the hard plastics and fake stitching, completely unacceptable.Especially in this day and age where you can get interiors that are far superior even on a pickup truck. Better for VW to simply discontinue the sedans, and focus their energy on what people are buying -- SUVs. Did I mention the cheap looking fake exhausts? One more thing from the rear seat passenger: "daddy, are we there yet?" Anyway, that acceleration thing may be a computer glitch. Volkswagon seems to be sticking to the very basics. Final Passat verdict -- VW after diesel gate. How the mighty has fallen. BTW, you missed the following: Sound System (the used to have Dynaudio) Sun roof Cup holders Adjustable seat restraints Rear seat comfort for adults

[@Mamo878]

So VW does The Dumbest Thing Ever and gets rid of the main reason to buy one over competitors, the 6-year warranty. Hard pass.

[@pacotaco4859]

Accord was 2018

[@MicahMuzio]

Thanks for the reminder! At times it feels like all the cars I’ve drive have blurred together in my mind.

[@kirkm3354]

To be fair i don't think any car this price has real wood.

[@MicahMuzio]

Kirk M You’re right. There aren’t many midsize sedans with real wood trim but the Mazda6 Signature does.

[@Rockinrn]

Why does anyone care if the dash is soft touch!?

[@MicahMuzio]

Gary Modrak If you’re driving a Toyota Yaris a soft dash doesn’t matter but it is a sign of quality. Imagine driving a BMW 7 Series then touching the dash to find it’s hard cheap plastic. Mainstream manufacturers like to emulate luxury car details to convey a sense of quality.

[@2004cyrus]

Gary Modrak it’s a sign of quality versus hard plastic material.

[@ispeakasiplease]

lmaooo a 72k warranty? Bye...

[@pravinkumar7929]

Probably reviewing a jet ski will give you good reason to be shirtless. Also that’s one territory you have not touched.

[@MicahMuzio]

Let's just say, aquatic activities are definitely under consideration.

[@pravinkumar7929]

Can’t wait. Guess you will be the first car reviewer to do so. Man I love your life.

[@ZCT808]

VW is a brand I always want to like, but invariably they disappoint. The Atlas was on my short list, but with a bland and some might say dated meh interior and no auto hold, I had to take a pass. As mentioned in this video, other manufacturers are doing innovative new things, whereas VW seems to think that just putting out something bland and boring is going to be good enough. With the resources available to VAG, there is really no excuse for such a boring vehicle. I ended up stopping the review because I just didn't care to hear any more. No offense, it was the car and not you.

[@krane15]

In all fairness VW has tried upping their class many times and no American would buy them. Claiming it cost too much for a VW. Right now, VW is still licking it wounds.

[@Kyle22030]

Yeah, I like pizza

[@grimdaddy]

This might be my least favorite VW honestly. It just screams midsize sedan, which is a bad thing for me. Lol, but also, a good way to get to 50k subs, esp considering comment sections truthfully, tease the shirtless. A belly peak here, a tank top there, BOOM. The subs will come, and with them, a whole bunch of thirsty comments you may or may not want lmao. 'Tis why I occasionally draw half naked men or pose shirtless on Insta, it gets the views, and those be important. Lol

[@2004cyrus]

Grimdaddy what is your insta ?

[@jacobyo99]

That’s a really weak 2.0 compared to rivals

[@krane15]

It VW's ubiquitous turbo-4. Its in virtually every car they make. It is a world-class engine though. Their safety engine to America.

[@yxflier8409]

I have never had a Volkswagen leave me stranded. They do need to have their normal maintenance though. Toyotas and Hondas are built for neglect. As far as your shirtless cameo goes, don’t let the viewers push you, don’t do it if you don’t want to. No one expects you to be jacked, Normal looking dads are in right now 🤣

[@MicahMuzio]

Oh, I like a challenge. I'm not promising jacked but I am promising a very memorable 100k video. 😃

[@josuanrodriguez5175]

🍕

[@andreworton5034]

I also have VW ownership-related PTSD.

[@MEAMERIE]

Its just so boring ...

[@georanchurchill2774]

The other sedans are just plain ugly...