New Passat B8 review

[ftaffy]

Been looking at White B8, the R-line with comfort pack is very tempting. Thanks for posting opinions/comments as some reviews are coming from the wrong angle i feel.

[Albatraozz]

So I just ordered a new Passat Comfortline in white but the dealer hasn't given me any specific date for delivery. Does anybody have any idea how much of a backlog there is for the new Passats? How long it may take?

[Orrelljet]

Just wondering how any new B8 owners are getting on with the manual seat height adjustment.

I'm not exactly a giant, at 5' 8", but my wife is on the wrong side of 5' so the electric height adjustment in our base 2013 Territory is bloody useful, as is the ability to tilt the driver's seat.

Does anyone share a car with a partner on the other end of the height scale? Is it a pain in the new Passat?

I love the look and quality feel of the new B8 but have found myself drawn to the current Tiguan (R-Line) simply because of the electric driver's seat.

[DarkStar69]

Just wondering how any new B8 owners are getting on with the manual seat height adjustment.

I'm not exactly a giant, at 5' 8", but my wife is on the wrong side of 5' so the electric height adjustment in our base 2013 Territory is bloody useful, as is the ability to tilt the driver's seat.

Does anyone share a car with a partner on the other end of the height scale? Is it a pain in the new Passat?

I love the look and quality feel of the new B8 but have found myself drawn to the current Tiguan (R-Line) simply because of the electric driver's seat.

I have exactly the same situation. Yes its a pain but the wife only drives the Passat once or twice a week and we had the same situation on the previous car so I don't feel its a step backward. I would have loved the electric seats together with the driver profile function but I would/did not consider it a big enough of an issue to not buy the car.

[Cossor]

Very disappointed with VAG current B8 Passat economy brochure printing.
All in all, about 10 pages as against 23 for B7 Passat.
I have the impression VAG consider Passat of minor importance, and need to
economize where possible. Perhaps publication a victim of diesel gate?

There s no detailed list of what is provided or different in the options packages
apart from general mentions in separate parts of the brochure.
Most important, while a general list of specifications are provided,
no technical specifications are provided.
For example. what is towing capacity, weight, turning circle, dimensions?
Last but not least, fuel consumption Urban and Extra urban.

However, at bottom of specifications page, we are advised for full specification to go to
2015 VW Jetta | Specifications & Price | Volkswagen Australia
Jetta?? I tried Passat instead of Jetta, but no luck

[cellrsx]

Very disappointed with VAG current B8 Passat economy brochure printing.
All in all, about 10 pages as against 23 for B7 Passat.
I have the impression VAG consider Passat of minor importance, and need to
economize where possible. Perhaps publication a victim of diesel gate?

There s no detailed list of what is provided or different in the options packages
apart from general mentions in separate parts of the brochure.
Most important, while a general list of specifications are provided,
no technical specifications are provided.
For example. what is towing capacity, weight, turning circle, dimensions?
Last but not least, fuel consumption Urban and Extra urban.

However, at bottom of specifications page, we are advised for full specification to go to
2015 VW Jetta | Specifications & Price | Volkswagen Australia
Jetta?? I tried Passat instead of Jetta, but no luck

Try going to the VW home page (Volkswagen Australia Official Website | New Cars & SUVs), hover mouse over models, select Passat Wagon (or just Passat) and then there'll be a toolbar with Highlights > Models & Pricing > Gallery > Specifications...

Click Specifications and you should get a link to the PDF specs. Have pasted it below for convenience.

http://www.volkswagen.com.au/content...ecs_web-1-.pdf

[Cossor]

Try going to the VW home page (Volkswagen Australia Official Website | New Cars & SUVs), hover mouse over models, select Passat Wagon (or just Passat) and then there'll be a toolbar with Highlights > Models & Pricing > Gallery > Specifications...

Click Specifications and you should get a link to the PDF specs. Have pasted it below for convenience.

http://www.volkswagen.com.au/content...ecs_web-1-.pdf

Thanks cellrsx, really helpful. All required information now clearly obtainable. Looks like TSI comfortline with luxury package to be next car.

[gokartgti]

new adventure. out with the GTI (had a mk 5 and 6 over the years). Just ordered. MY16 Passat, R line fully loaded with TDI.

now if there's a retrofit for this (virtual dash). https://youtu.be/LDmv6OuyvG4




and check this.... nothing was mentioned by the dealer. looks like some goodies hidden in the menu's.

[3C4M Guy]

One of the main irritations of my B6 Passat is the relatively indirect steering. After several years of driving it, I still can't get used to winding on armfuls of lock to go round the simplest corner. Yes, I'm exaggerating ... but I would still prefer more direct steering.

I read with interest that the new B8 R-Line has "progressive steering with 2.1 turns lock-to-lock". Is there anyone who has test-driven or owns a B8 R-Line that can comment on the steering ratio? Does "progressive" mean variable weighting according to speed or variable ratio?

[booba]

This happens to me in our golf 7r, when i want drive it, i have to depress that ****ty manual level so many times to lower the seat. im north of 6' and wife is just shy of 5'. doesn't happen in the passat with 12 way electric adjustment

I have exactly the same situation. Yes its a pain but the wife only drives the Passat once or twice a week and we had the same situation on the previous car so I don't feel its a step backward. I would have loved the electric seats together with the driver profile function but I would/did not consider it a big enough of an issue to not buy the car.