Why the VW Passat Deserves More Recognition (B6 Review)

The Volkswagen Passat is a car that has always flown under the radar. But they've been quietly pounding up and down the motorways of the world for years now. What are they like to drive as a used car?
Full review of the Volkswagen Passat (B6 generation) (2006 - 2011)
Car on test: 2006 Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.9 TDI Diesel PD SE manual.
#volkswagen #passat
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[@RFFChannel]

I don’t know the reason why in 2006 cars looked better than 2023’s cars. I’m huge fan of these cars. 👍👏🏻😉

[@asdasd01]

Because actual designers did the job, instead of computer algorithm and not everything was supposed to look "sporty".

[@asdasd01]

Another interesting thing is that the modern passat still uses basically the same layout for the interior as the b6.

[@RFFChannel]

@@JacksonOfTheJerry yea, maybe. But look Alfa Milano, the new car. Simply obscene. 🤮.

[@ryggstod]

Pushing 150k miles on my 2007 2.0 FSI Variant. It's nice to see some love for this gen Passat! Apart from broken coil springs and poor milage, it's been great. Really comfortable to drive as well.

[@detonater1348]

I miss my 07 B6 3.6 VR6 FWD Wagon passat. What a grunty angry wagon it was. Bought it so cheap and didnt expect it to last too long and never did serious maintenance to it other than oil change and deleting the pcv valve which removed the check engine light and fixed the high-low rev on idle. The smoothest car i ever had snd best sounding 6 cylinder engine. That car made me love and respect VWs. She was so reliable and went to 4 states with a hiccup. 90% torque at 1500-2000 rpm, it just gets up wnd goes effortlessly. I once beat a 2019 challenger with an oil burner on a mile long light and intersection free roadway on the outskirts of the city. Dude honked and waved, its way faster than its supposed to be. It got power even on the high end power unlike other V6s ive owned. It. Still pulls past 130mph like it got another 50mph to go but its governed at 142 ish and was planted and smooth at those speeds. Felt safe snd big but very light to maneuver. Never clipped a car while going thru tight gaps. I now daily a W140 benz and sometimes foeget the sheer mass of the car snd clipped my side mirror and what not countless times. My B6 passat was my first german sled and it got me addicted to euro imports and now here i am driving a train in the tight streets of DC. W140 benz is the best i ever had and second place is easily my B6 VR6 beast wagon.

[@JJonCars]

Great couple of cars. The 3.6 is super rare and a cool car and I imagine it does feel relatively small in the states, where it's a mid to large size car over here. The W140 S class is just an awesome car, so very classy. Cheers for the comment :)

[@lewisdavies2554]

Love my 07 b6 Passat 161000miles drivers like a 30000 miler , it's had a couple of issues but very simple to repair , after this one I will buy another 👍 great review by the way 👍👍

[@JJonCars]

Thanks Lewis, nice to hear from another happy B6 owner :)

[@Rjhs001]

Hi JJ. I had one of these a few years ago, a 2007 140 'Sport' with the 2.0 140PS Diesel engine. I flippin loved that car and up until getting my CT200H, it was definitely the best car I've had. It was all the things you have mentioned but with that little bit of extra performance and with the slightly lowered suspension and the larger wheels, it looked stunning. I had it many, many years and it eventually failed an MOT on the DPF, a repair which I couldn't afford and which would have cost about three times the value of the car. So I had to bid it a tearful farewell but omg, I loved that car.

[@JJonCars]

Cheers John, it's nice to hear some love for the car as it really does seem to gather a lot of hate lol. I can imagine it did look good in that spec, and it's nice to hear it was reliable until the inevitable DPF issue. RIP old Passat!

[@jaleelaslam7341]

Hi. I've got same model but 59 reg from new and still have it.

[@Rjhs001]

@@jaleelaslam7341 They're lovely, aren't they. Mine was a fabulous, silvery metallic light blue...I've seen many a Jag XF in almost the same colour.

[@jaleelaslam7341]

@@Rjhs001 mines a black colour and yes great cars. I intend to keep mine aslong as it lasts

[@rustywreck3351]

I have a 2008 highline estate 170bhp , I can honestly say it does everything, comfy, leather heater seats, only niggle fault is the electronic steering column

[@mikmerl1]

I liked your video I have a 2006 B6 estate wagon with a humble 1.6 petrol engine 6 speed manual Firstly I love it's looks and the fabulous carry capacity. It is reasonably reliable with some minor maintenance issues I would certainly buy one again

[@JJonCars]

Thank you. I'm glad to hear you like your Passat :)

[@stefmit-qv8rp]

Great review, fantastic car, I have a b6 2008 TDI and I don't want to get rid of it. Volkswagen needs to continue to support this model because it was a game changer for the Passat line

[@JJonCars]

Thank you! Always good to hear more love for the B6!

[@pedromtc01]

I Recently bought a 2006 B6 Variant with the 2.0 TDI 140 PD engine, paired to a 6 speed manual box. Really impressed with it. As a daily, it´s perfect. It´s very comfortable, economical, and very competent on road, it has a lot of grip. After a bit of research, I found that a lot of people spoke badly of these BKP engines. I haven´t had any problems until now, but I will replace the oil pump drive preventativly. It´s actually a really nice engine, has a lot of useful low end torque. Where I´m from (Portugal), I see this model everywhere! It has clearly stood the test of time. Great video! Cheers

[@JJonCars]

Thank you Pedro, good to hear from a happy owner and nice to know there's still lots on the road in Portugal :)

[@MyUAJerk]

How many km did it had and has now?

[@pedromtc01]

@@MyUAJerk Hello. My car has 326k km, I bought it with 323k km (I don't drive it that often). I replaced the oil pump drive last month at the perfect time, it had a lot of wear, my mechanic said it was a matter of months before the engine went kaput. Overall, I'm still happy with the car.

[@reissndashify]

Hi JJ i just want to say thank you your review on the audi a5 is a complete masterpiece in my opinion i was on the ropes about buying one and it gave me alot of much needed perspective on the car and how good it is

[@JJonCars]

Thank you very much, glad you liked that vid :)

[@KisniCojk]

I bought myself a Passat B6 2010 Bluemotion Wagon. It has 420000km+ and still no big repairs, its a 2.0 TDI 140hp, I tuned it to 175hp, so it can get fast if needed. I'm extremely satisfied with it and i would only change for a newer Passat. Cheers.

[@marcoscasado8698]

Same here. B6 2008 1.9TDI 500K km 160 HP no big repairs. Feels like new.

[@johnoshea470]

i bought a 2008 1.4 TSI turbo petrol passat in 2012, i still have it and absolutely love it , apart from having to replace the timing chain kit after the chain stretched ive had no other issues with it whatsoever apart from standard stuff like a new battery etc, the passats are criminally underated as you get so much car for the money i even have heated leather seats (highline model)

[@JJonCars]

Highline model is the one to have! :)

[@petemelchor9903]

I have a 2007 B6 Volkswagen Passat w/ ≈ 219,000 Miles and it still runs great! A few of the things that I’ve had to replace are sensors and the High Pressure Fuel Pump. Absolutely love the car!

[@JJonCars]

That's brilliant, always good to hear more stories of these cars being reliable :)

[@Lot76CARS]

Very accomplished car and great cruisers but were just a bit more anonymous than the B5 and maybe not the same paradigm step that it represented. Good to see this one still going strong!

[@JJonCars]

Yep more of an evolution than a revolution 👍

[@bengilrane]

My b6 Passat is the 1.9tdi 336k miles and its family owned since new and everything works no problems bar the vw rusty wings and the drivers door is sagging a wee bit from all the miles but very reliable car I have to say

[@JJonCars]

Awesome, great to hear it!

[@cezcars]

The B6 passat is my second most disliked passat (behind the mk1) but the cc version is my second favorite passat (behind the B5)

[@JJonCars]

I need to get a CC on here :)

[@cezcars]

@@JJonCars Also you should get a Vel-satis on here.

[@JJonCars]

@@cezcars for sure, crazy car. And an Avantime while I'm at it haha

[@Bmovie5000]

Great and heartfelt review of a car this so common in Europe and the UK! I own a 2009 B6 Passat wagon as they were marketed here in Canada. Over here, B6 Passats and especially wagon versions are few in number, which is sad as few will even know what a versatile, efficient and reliable vehicle it is. Mine is the fully optioned highline version with the 2.0L TSI engine and the 6 speed auto box. Highlights of ownership: SUV rivalling cargo space- useful for long road trips, building projects, etc 1000KM plus highway range thanks to the 70L gas tank Large and comfortable back seat for 3 passengers- hauling the elderly relatives and kids 10l/100KM and 6.5l/100KM city and highway fuel economy Quiet interior with great ergonomics and build quality Spirited performance, especially after ECU "chipping" engine to 246 HP It's been quite reliable, but also well cared for with regular engine and transmission service intervals. I replaced the timing chain tensioner, chain and guides as this is now known to be defective on early TSI builds. The rear main seal had to be replaced because the EGR system was a defective design. This was a costly repair but should not happen again thanks to the revised EGR. Currently at 170,000KM, I hope to get many more years of service out of it.

[@JJonCars]

Thank you :) I'm glad that the car has been good to you, and reliable. Sounds like it does everything you need, and the Highline model is definitely the one to have. Here's to another 170k!

[@johnandrews3568]

I have a 2007 2.0T 6MT variant. Bought it with 64,000km and it's now at 310,000 on the factory clutch. This car is great. Super practical, drives nice, some repairs can be on the expensive side but all in all it's been a great car and I can't see parting with it any time soon. Just last week I picked up a kitchen table and four chairs and had no issue fitting them in the back.

[@TheSupercarKiller]

I'm at 250k with 2.0T FSI Tiptronic Estate.. Still running very strong!

[@shand1967]

I've never driven one, but i once tried without success to change a front tyre. The jack is dangerous and not up to the job of lifting a car as heavy as a Passat. I couldn't believe what had happened as it kept slipping off the jack. I googled it afterwards and the VW forums confirmed that the jack was so substandard, they nicknamed it "The Widowmaker".

[@JJonCars]

Lol, those jacks are nearly always cheap and barely up to the job, but they do at least normally work just about!

[@mikmerl1]

I have a 2006 Passat have had to use the supplied jack on a few occasions I found it perfectly adequate for the job

[@donovandaker5762]

Thanks once again JJ. Long live the PD. Mission 300k will soon start 😂😊

[@JJonCars]

Cheers Don, good luck!

[@Patrik1964]

I srill have mine, a Passat B6 model 2010 build in late August 2009, as an R-Line TDI wagon with 170hp: in combination with some interieur features like: -- leather interior, wood at the dasboard, aluminium at the middle section, - sport seats, very nice and with with a firm hold, - multifunction steering wheel, - hands-free system for the telephone with voice control, - parking control, - Mmoulded rubber mats for the loading area and seat areas, - then the adaptive suspension control, - winter package, - automatic rear door. I picked it up directly from VW and it is only used for long distance travels up to Finland and down to Italy. Now after nearly 15 years later it has runned 114.000 km . I am very very pleased with the car consumption is very low, it is sporty and as you mentioned the interieur and from outside look it is still modern looking, due to the R-Line the lower front and rear nd to the sills are beefier and sportier looking, that with a R36 front grill and chromed roof grills moke it look still fantastic. As you mentioned maybe one of the most underrated cars and engines To the later models the interior panelling cracks and creaks very quickly (mine doesn't!), the used materials are cheaper and the engines in the newer models don't last as long because of the Euro 6 emission control system. I will keep mine for years to come, to provide long live I recomment oil change every 15.000km / 2 years and ultimate diesel fuel with higher cetan.

[@JJonCars]

Thanks for your comment, very detailed and I'm always pleased to hear from a happy B6 owner :)

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I've got a v clean 'one lady owner' '09 tdi 170 estate with leather, a/c and cruise. It's now done 130k miles and apart from a slight squeak from somewhere deep in the dashboard, it looks and drives like a champ. Cost me £600 to have new cam belt and coolant pump fitted and servicing can be a little pricey but these anonymous comfy barges are perfectly suited for v long days at the wheel. Additional spends include updated infotainment and four Michelin CC2 tyres (brilliant in snow). I park in 1st or reverse rather than using the electronic parking brake. It's got a really handy lip just next to the gas pedal where you can rest your foot/ankle if you're not using cruise control. Best used for long journeys which keeps the engine and ancillaries happy. Arguably cheap enough to allow for ownership of an additional 'fun' vehicle.

[@chung-chunglee9648]

I have one,1.8T DSG 2009,240K KM now,and it is very well

[@LeviBulger]

175k on my 2008 2.0T FSI motor. Great car, actually my 2nd B6 because i loved the first one so much and found it to not only be reliable and fun to drive, but also extremely easy to do my own mechanical work on. Something i rarely say about European cars. Now, it does have a few points of failure that can be recurring - mostly sensors like the pesky MAF and the godforsaken PCV valve. But like i said, working on this car is very intuitive and honestly not very difficult for most tasks. The key to longevity is just like any other car in changing fluids and parts with rubber at their proper times (tires, gaskets, ignition coils, and cv boots). The motor and transmission are hearty machines and can withstand quite the beating

[@Birmingham_racing]

Passats are good daily drivers for motorways. I almost bought a b6 estate but ended up buying a b7 instead. I've had b4 and few b5s in the family

[@asdasd01]

How do they compare in your view as comfort and sound insulation? And overall feel?

[@BeYourshelfUK]

I've got a 2010 Passat B6 R-Line with 110k on it. I've had it 4 years, put a load of miles on it & really can't fault it. Comfortable, reliable and economical...all for £3.5k what's not to like.

[@Data4664]

THNXS good r!eview

[@JJonCars]

Thank you!

[@Popincourt-or4cf]

I recently picked up a 2007 wagon/estate (Variant), petrol 2.0T (200 hp), in blue with the Tiptronic so that my daughter feels comfortable borrowing it. Cheap as chips at CDN$2,000 w/213,000 km on the clock. The sunroof drains were blocked so the car was sopping wet. After a week of drying it with fans, indoors, with the seats out, I ran an ozone generator for a few hours and it is now tolerable. It is more comfortable and solid than my last such car, a 2006 Subaru Outback, and it cost a third of what I sold the Subaru for despite higher km. I know that I might have costly repairs ahead, as with all Passats, but so far I am very happy with the space, functionality, and comfort. There is nothing now on the market like it, really.

[@JJonCars]

I can kind of imagine that smell 😂 Good that you've mostly sorted it out. Pretty cool version the 2.0T Variant :)

[@EllenN2003]

You can put a small plastic tube down the drains and blow compressed air, worked for me

[@AntJoseph_]

1:45 I’ll have you know that E12 Corollas already had those damped things :) Have a B7 Highline Passat and that thing just eats km amazingly

[@JJonCars]

Haha, nice. I want to review an E12 Corolla. Highline is very nice 👍

[@AntJoseph_]

@@JJonCarsif you ever stop by in Portugal I’ll let you have a go in mine! 285k km 1.4d4d and still going strong. Has been restored to pristine condition recently, too!

[@seanharrison7009]

Ive fot a highline Passat and love itz. I eveb got a tv in it.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

The Škoda Superb MK2 gave the Passat a run for its money and was better in every area. You should review one, especially an L&K spec combi.

[@JJonCars]

Would love to!

[@cookingwithdan2649]

Is this the 1.9tdi 105bhp? I’m looking at getting one for reliability

[@paulanderson7796]

I had one of these with the 2.0 TDi PD engine. Engine was fine but reliability wasn't great otherwise.

[@iyaramonk]

I have the B6 sedan with the smallest engine and it is definitely too weak for the weight of the car. Not great going uphill. And the gear shifting is not very smooth as you say. But otherwise it's ok. The electronic handbrake button can drive me nuts though.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

If you like this, hunt out a Volvo S80, D5 But for fun get yer hands on the S80 V8 petrol. (Yamaha V8) awesome

[@JJonCars]

Oh man yes, would love to do a vid with one of those! Especially that V8

[@julpasali]

I had a 2009 2l golf, did 300k miles. Engine hardly gave me problems only towards the end when different sensors started going. Thats when i thought it was time to give it up. The car dealer that bought it couldn't believe it had done 300k

[@JJonCars]

It's good to hear that VW were still building cars that could do moon mileage by 2009 :)

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

The evolution of backseat JJ 😀😀

[@JJonCars]

Haha, wonder what he'll be like in another year or two 😂

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

@@JJonCars probably a few more grey hairs due to what you put him through 😂😂

[@skybladefps7268]

My 2008 B6 2.0T Komfort trim has 228,800 miles and still runs great. I like it more than my 2019 Jetta. 😅

[@JJonCars]

Great to hear, always happy to hear of reliable B6s :)

[@itchyscratch3829]

Does the B6 Passat have electric power steering? Or a p/s pump like older ones?

[@JJonCars]

It's electric I believe

[@itchyscratch3829]

Oh, very costly to repair if it fails, you have to replace the whole lot - £1000. At least older ones with a p/s pump you can swap out the pump if it fails - lot cheaper and easier. These also have an electronic handbrake too, I'm not a fan of those either when they malfunction. I have an Audi A4 b6 which is based on the Passat B6 platform, despite beinb the same age as the B5 Passat. It has a manual handbrake and power steering pump. I prefer simplicity overall, when cars get 20 years old and need parts...

[@JJonCars]

Yeah the Passat must have been one of the first mainstream cars with an electronic handbrake and they definitely do fail. Didn't know that about the B6 A4 having hydraulic, interesting that they are different. I'm with you on the older tech thing, but sadly that's just the way it's gone!

[@Zero_Ninety]

@@itchyscratch3829 The A4 B6 is NOT based on the same platform as the Passat B6.

[@itchyscratch3829]

@Zero_Ninety - ok, thanks

[@Loify]

I have a passat b6 1.9 5manual but im actually sad cause my dad could've bought a 6 speed manual

[@JJonCars]

Hi. Do you mean you and your dad would both have a Passat but he didn't buy one? Or that he would have bought a 6 speed for you? :)

[@tolees1757]

man i love your personality and style so much that even if you reviewed a rusted nazi car with one wheel i would still watch the video !! hah

[@JJonCars]

Hahaha, appreciate it man!

[@coolcat23]

I always liked the "no nonsense" design of the Passats. A bit too plain for me to get excited about owning one, personally, but there are many designs that are much worse than this almost sleek minimalist design.

[@JJonCars]

Yeah, I'm with you there!

[@Zero4Infinitives]

Nice quality materials? Almost all of it is plastic, and a bad one at that, they squeak or rattle over bumps or rail crossings even at very low speeds, they rust like crazy, parking brake button issues, top header material issues on almost all of them, rear brake calipers which are electronic fail and get stuck ofter, oil pump issues and the list goes on. We worked on these cars in the shop for years and years and they are the worst series entry by a long shot.

[@peakseamus]

The CC wasn't available in that mark Passat....the Mondeo pictured competed with the next gen Passat...and you smoked the other cars as you were trying and they were not 😅

[@JJonCars]

Not sure how you've come to that - the CC came out in 2008 when it was still very much the B6 generation. Mondeo came out in 2007, one year into B6 production. So B6 definitely was competing against the MK4. And finally, yes, this is true :p

[@peakseamus]

@@JJonCars b6 was from 2005, the cc was introduced in May 2008.

[@peakseamus]

@@JJonCars 2007 was the 3rd year of b6 production....one year into isn't at all accurate or factual.

[@soultanasmaga9661]

Xjxixi

[@JacksonOfTheJerry]

This review is NSFA.

[@peakseamus]

Largely extinct now tbf.

[@JJonCars]

I've seen quite a few around since I drove this one. They are quite hard to see if you're not looking as they're so anonymous haha

[@timjenkins8538]

Dependable and practical but also boring, very boring. Like most VWs I am a VW driver

[@JJonCars]

What VW do you drive? I think I'm unusual in managing to find pretty much any car not boring...

[@tomjardine100]

Terrible reliability

[@itchyscratch3829]

Not the 1.9pd tdi