
Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size sedan produced by SAIC Volkswagen. Its body dimensions are: length 4933 mm, width 1836 mm, height 1469 mm, with a wheelbase of 2871 mm and a fuel tank capacity of 68.5 liters. The body structure is a 4-door 5-seater sedan. The Volkswagen Passat is equipped with a 1.4T turbocharged engine, with a maximum power of 118 kW and a maximum power speed range of 4500 to 6200 rpm. It is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The front suspension uses a MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension employs a multi-link independent suspension.

I know the Passat like the back of my hand – our family has been driving one for nearly seven years. It's the backbone of the Volkswagen lineup, positioned between the Magotan and Phaeton, primarily targeting family and business markets. The chassis feels rock-solid on the road, with zero floatiness even at highway speeds. The cabin is spacious enough to fit three child seats, and the trunk swallows strollers effortlessly. Our older 1.8T model averages just 8L/100km in city driving, and maintenance costs are far more affordable than luxury brands. Since the facelift two years ago, the headlights upgraded to matrix LED units, making it instantly recognizable at night. As for drawbacks, the rear floor hump does compromise footroom for middle passengers, and noise insulation could be better on gravel roads. But its resale value holds up well among B-segment sedans – retaining about half its value after five years.

As a salesman who frequently travels long distances, the Passart is the business vehicle I interact with the most. This car has gone through eight generations since its debut in 1973, with a strong German flavor. The current model is nearly 5 meters long with a wheelbase of 2.87 meters, comfortably seating five suited men without feeling cramped. The EA888 engine paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is a golden combination, offering quick starts and fuel efficiency. I particularly love its adaptive cruise control system, which automatically follows the car ahead in traffic jams. Although the interior has a bit of a plastic feel, the ergonomic design is excellent, allowing for four to five hours of driving without back pain. I recommend the 330TSI Luxury version, which, compared to the base model, includes a full LCD instrument panel and heated seats, making the extra cost worthwhile. As for drawbacks, the central control screen has noticeable glare under strong sunlight, and the infotainment system occasionally lags.

For young people looking for a B-segment sedan, I highly recommend the Passat, especially the R-Line version. The blackened grille paired with the blade-style alloy wheels looks much cooler than the standard model. This car drives like it's on rails, with almost no body roll when cornering. The 2.0T high-power version can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 6 seconds, and with a Stage 1 tune, it transforms into a proper performance car. There's also a wide range of aftermarket parts available—I've personally added a carbon fiber front lip and a valved exhaust. The wireless CarPlay feature in the infotainment system is super practical, and the 9.2-inch screen makes navigation much more convenient than using a phone. The only downside is the new car's price tag of around 250,000 RMB, which is a bit steep, but you can find nearly new flagship versions in the used car market for about 180,000 RMB. I'd suggest upgrading to the Harman Kardon audio system right away, as the stock speakers have muddy bass. Oh, and the dynamic effects of the matrix headlights during unlock are seriously cool.


