Volkswagen Passat Model Years and History

The Volkswagen Passat carries over into 2022 with only minor changes, a new Limited Edition trim was added while the base S trim was dropped.

The Volkswagen Passat carries over into 2021 with only minor changes, one of which is the removal of the SEL trim.

Volkswagen's 2020 Passat heads into the new year with refreshed exterior styling and an updated interior design that's arranged to impress. Volkswagen has added more torque to its turbocharged four-cylinder engine while also seeing that more advanced safety features are added this year, something German car enthusiasts should be used to at this point.

Volkswagen have consolidated their Passat line for 2019; gone are the six different trim levels leaving only two available trim packages. This simplified lineup gives buyers considerably more value for their money as the base level Passat comes generously equipped, and drops the Premium trim means that the most expensive Passat is now less so.

The 2018 Volkswagen Passat keeps true to the look that it has seen in its current generation, with only a few notable changes for the new model year. A new GT trim is now available with 19-inch alloy wheels, 2-tone leatherette seats, R-Line front and rear bumpers, grille accents, GT badging and a 280 horsepower V6 engine. Also for 2018, the 1.8L engine is replaced with a 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder as its base model engine. The warranty has been lengthened to 6-years or 72,000 miles.

After a fairly extensive refresh last year, the Passat returns in 2017 mostly unchanged. The biggest difference for this year is a minor reshuffling of various trim packages, with buyers generally getting more convenience options at lower trim levels than were available last year.

For 2016, the Volkswagen Passat receives a number of changes, both inside and out. Exterior styling has been updated front and rear, with a more aggressive look that incorporates a new hood, front fenders, grille, headlights, front and rear bumpers, trunklid and taillights. Inside, the interior features and updated instrument panel and center stack for a more premium feel. The MIB II infotainment system is standard and includes USB connectivity. LED headlights and taillights are available, as is the VW Car-Net App-Connect, which supports smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A rearview camera is now standard, and a suite of advanced safety technologies are now available, including lane departure warning, frontal collision warning and blind-spot monitor. Finally, an R-Line trim is available and offers a sportier look.

The Passat gets a new, improved diesel engine for 2015. Displacing the same 2.0L, this new engine is more powerful and more efficient. Other changes to the Passat lineup include a new technology package, which includes a rear view camera, a premium stereo and satellite radio.

The Passat replaces last year's 2.5L 5-cylinder engine with a more efficient and more powerful 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder unit. Volkswagen Car-Net telematics is also available for 2014.

The Passat gets a few adjustments for 2013. The biggest change is actually to the center console. Volkswagen has worked hard to Americanize the Passat and their work this year shows their attention to detail. VW has redesigned the storage space and most importantly, the cup holders in the center console. They will now fit a large assortment of different drink sizes. Rear seat occupants also benefit from the new center console which features a pair of rear facing vents. Other changes include a standard rear back up camera on SEL models and a price hike of $850.

Volkswagen has completely redesigned its mid-size Passat for 2012, and while doing so, stretching it in size by several inches in overall length and wheelbase. This yields significantly more interior space--especially for backseat passengers. Ride quality is improved, too. Meanwhile, Volkswagen has expanded the standard feature list while trimming down options and build combinations--all while lowering the price significantly on some of the variants. At the same time, VW has brought an optional TDI clean-diesel engine back to the Passat.

The Passat got stripped down to basics for 2009, so a few things were added for 2010 to fill out the package. The automatic transmission has been replaced with Volkswagen's 6-speed DSG transmission with TipTronic shifting. The steering wheel got a major upgrade to being leather-wrapped and multi-functional and Bluetooth is now standard. New 17-inch wheels are standard, too, with optional 18-inch wheels and sport suspension available this year.

The Passat got stripped down to basics for 2009, so a few things were added for 2010 to fill out the package. The automatic transmission has been replaced with Volkswagen's 6-speed DSG transmission with TipTronic shifting. The steering wheel got a major upgrade to being leather-wrapped and multi-functional and Bluetooth is now standard. New 17-inch wheels are standard, too, with optional 18-inch wheels and sport suspension available this year.

For the 2009 Passat lineup, the Komfort trim remains for both the sedan and wagon. Gone are the Turbo, Lux, VR6, and VR6 4Motion trim levels. The Komfort Passats are powered by VW's 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder. New exterior colors for 2009 include Island Gray Metallic, Cobalt Blue Metallic, and White Gold Metallic. Adaptive front lighting has been dropped. Volkswagen's electronic stabilization program (ESP) is now standard.

For the 2009 Passat lineup, the Komfort trim remains for both the sedan and wagon. Gone are the Turbo, Lux, VR6, and VR6 4Motion trim levels. The Komfort Passats are powered by VW's 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder. New exterior colors for 2009 include Island Gray Metallic, Cobalt Blue Metallic, and White Gold Metallic. Adaptive front lighting has been dropped. Volkswagen's electronic stabilization program (ESP) is now standard.

For the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, the six-cylinder VR6 model is only available with 4Motion all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, and the manual transmission is only offered on the Turbo model. A 12-way power driver seat is now standard across the line, along with manual side and rear sunshades. A new alloy wheel design has been introduced for the base Turbo model. Two exterior colors, Wheat Beige and Shadow Blue, have been dropped from the lineup, and the Pure Beige interior has been replaced by Classic Gray.

For the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, the six-cylinder VR6 model is only available with 4Motion all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, and the manual transmission is only offered on the Turbo model. A 12-way power driver seat is now standard across the line, along with manual side and rear sunshades. A new alloy wheel design has been introduced for the base Turbo model. Two exterior colors, Wheat Beige and Shadow Blue, have been dropped from the lineup, and the Pure Beige interior has been replaced by Classic Gray.

Volkswagen introduced the completely redesigned Passat sedans for 2006, with improved interior space, a more powerful and more economical lineup of engines, and new six-speed transmissions. For 2007, new wagon variants, equipped much like the sedans, join the Passat line. Twelve-way power seats are offered for the first time for 2007; sound systems now include an auxiliary power input, and an iPod adaptor is options.

Volkswagen introduced the completely redesigned Passat sedans for 2006, with improved interior space, a more powerful and more economical lineup of engines, and new six-speed transmissions. For 2007, new wagon variants, equipped much like the sedans, join the Passat line. Twelve-way power seats are offered for the first time for 2007; sound systems now include an auxiliary power input, and an iPod adaptor is options.