Volkswagen Passat (North America and China)

Facelift (North America)

Facelift (China)

Volkswagen refreshed the North American Passat in 2015 for the 2016 model year with styling and technology updates.[18][19] The revamped Passat's doors, roof, and rail stampings are the only pieces shared with the outgoing model. The hood, front fenders, front and rear bumpers, and trunklid were revised.

The Passat now offers optional LED headlights and taillights, a black-accented front bumper, a rear diffuser-like piece and special 19-inch wheels.

The updated dashboard features the company's MIB II system (modular infotainment platform) with two sizes of touch screens available, depending on option package. These screens also will feature proximity sensors to pop up the relevant controls as the hand gets closer to the screen. The system is set to offer Volkswagen's Car-Net connectivity system, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink compatibility, which allows connection to a smartphone.

The Passat refresh has automatic post-collision braking, which prevents the car from pinballing away and crashing into other objects after an initial impact, as standard on all models, as is a rearview camera. Adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and parking steering assist are all available depending on trim level.

The 2016 Passat was planned to offer the same three engine choices featured in the outgoing car: the base-model 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged four-cylinder, the 3.6-liter VR6, and the 2.0-liter TDI diesel four-cylinder. The 1.8 T will do 38 mpg_‑US (6.2 L/100 km) highway with the automatic transmission. Following the company's emissions scandal, VW halted sales of 2.0-liter TDI-equipped vehicles. The 2.0-liter TSI was offered in place of the TDI.

On November 23, 2020, Passats from 2016 to 2019 model years were recalled since the front seat back adjustment levers may not be engaged correctly, increasing risks of injuries.[20]

Passat GT (facelift) in Germany, which was obtained through parallel import

In Canada and the United States, the Passat NMS was initially released with a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, 2.0-liter TDI engine and 3.6-liter VR6 engine. For the 2014 model year, a new 1.8-liter TSI 4-cylinder engine replaced the 2.5-liter inline-5 in North America. For the 2015 model year, a new 2.0-liter EA288 TDI with increased power replaced the previous EA189 2.0-liter TDI in North America. Due to the Volkswagen emissions scandal, TDI models were permanently discontinued after the 2015 model year.

For 2018, the previous 1.8-liter TSI 4-cylinder engine for base Passat models has been replaced by a 2.0-liter TSI 4-cylinder engine, sourced from the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan. Models with the 3.6 VR6 engine were discontinued after the 2018 model year.

In China, the NMS is offered with a base 1.4-liter TSI available with a 5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG. The 1.8-liter variant was available with the 6=speed automatic or 7-speed DSG gearbox and the 2.0-liter TSI and 3.0-liter VR6 come standard with 6- and 7-speed DSG gearboxes.

The Passat NMS won the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year. The 2013 Passat TDI sets new Guinness World Record for fuel economy under the non-hybrid car category. It achieved a fuel consumption of only 3.02 liters on 100 kilometers (77.99 mpg).[21]

In a March 2012 comparison test by Car and Driver, the Volkswagen Passat NMS came in first place out of six cars.[22] In a November 2012 comparison by the same magazine with three since-redesigned competitors, the Passat placed last.[23]

In another 2012 comparison test by Motor Trend, the Volkswagen Passat NMS came in first place out of six cars.[24]

Second generation (North America)
Overview
Production	2019–present
Model years	2020–present
Assembly	United States: Chattanooga, Tennessee (Volkswagen Chattanooga Assembly Plant)
Body and chassis
Platform	Volkswagen Group PQ46
Powertrain
Engine	Gasoline: 2.0 L TSI I4
Transmission	6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,803 mm (110.4 in)
Length	4,875 mm (191.9 in)
Width	1,834 mm (72.2 in)
Height	1,487 mm (58.5 in)

Rear view

For the 2020 model year, the Volkswagen Passat NMS was thoroughly redesigned featuring revised exterior styling, new wheel combinations, and more standard safety and technology features, which include a suite of standard driver assistance technologies, and a 6.33-inch touchscreen infotainment system with next-generation VW CarNet 4G LTE in-vehicle telematics.

Due to the decreasing popularity of sedans in North America, Volkswagen decided not to design the second generation Passat NMS on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform that underpins most Volkswagen products, meaning that the vehicle is essentially a reskinned version of the old one. As the result, the new Passat NMS does not offer some features such as a fully digital LCD instrument cluster or an 8-speed automatic transmission that are otherwise offered on other vehicles in the Volkswagen lineup. The second generation Passat NMS is exclusive to North America, as China gets its own version of Passat. The Passat was discontinued in Mexico after the 2018 model year and therefore this second generation is not sold in that market due to sluggish sales, with the Jetta taking its place.[25]

The second generation is still powered by a 174 hp (176 PS; 130 kW), 2.0-liter TSI I4 gasoline engine and six-speed automatic transmission from the first generation, the new Passat is available in four trim levels: base S, midlevel SE, sporty R-Line, and range-topping SEL. Only the SEL offers full leather-trimmed seating surfaces, a Fender premium audio system and Park Distance Control (PDC). The R-Line sports a unique front fascia, as well as larger alloy wheels and tires. The 2020 Passat went on sale at Volkswagen dealerships nationwide in the fall of 2019.

Apart from the North American market, this version of the Passat is also available in the Middle East.[26]

The Passat NMS is planned to be discontinued in 2023 due to slow sales.[27]

Second generation (China)
Overview
Production	2019–present
Assembly	China: Nanjing (SAIC-VW)
Body and chassis
Platform	Volkswagen Group MQB
Powertrain
Engine	Gasoline: 1.4 L EA211 I4 TSI 2.0 L EA888 I4 TSI
Transmission	7-speed DSG
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,871 mm (113.0 in)
Length	4,933 mm (194.2 in)
Width	1,836 mm (72.3 in)
Height	1,469 mm (57.8 in)

Rear view

Revealed on October 12, 2018 by SAIC Volkswagen, the Chinese market 2019 Passat replaces the Passat NMS in China. Despite the high resemblance between the Chinese and North American Passats, they are completely different models based on different platforms. The Chinese market 2019 Passat is built on the newer Volkswagen Group MQB platform together with 3rd generation Magotan, which is a long-wheelbase version of the European B8 Passat.[28] Trim levels are known as the 280TSI, 330TSI and 380TSI. 280TSI models receive the 1.4-litre EA211 engine, while 330TSI and 380TSI models receive the 2.0-litre EA888 engine. All models are available with 7-speed DSG gearbox as standard.