New Passat B8 review

[Jondalar]

Hi,

I've test driven two 140 TDI Highline Passats now and have not been very impressed either time. I really loved the look of these spec wise but the driving experience was a let down. The context: We own a 2014 110 TDI Golf Highline and love it (the wife's car). I'm looking for something to replace my 2014 Pajero Exceed which we won't need once we sell our caravan.

So far I've tried the two 140 TDI highline Passat (one sedan one wagon with R line) both had around 1500km plus on them, both felt very lacking in torque compared to the Golf. On one the driving profile was stuck in Normal (not a good look for a demo car) and the other did feel better when in sport mode but you shouldn't need to drive in sport... So is this lack of torque a feature of them managing to get better economy than the 110 TDI Golf gets?

I've also tested a 132 Passat sedan, Golf GTI Performance and Golf Alltrack. My wife and I both feel the Passat doesn't handle very well compared to the Golf 110 TDI, how do other feel about the Passat handling?

Cheers,
Karl

[Buzy_Robot]

Hi,

I've test driven two 140 TDI Highline Passats now and have not been very impressed either time. I really loved the look of these spec wise but the driving experience was a let down. The context: We own a 2014 110 TDI Golf Highline and love it (the wife's car). I'm looking for something to replace my 2014 Pajero Exceed which we won't need once we sell our caravan.

So far I've tried the two 140 TDI highline Passat (one sedan one wagon with R line) both had around 1500km plus on them, both felt very lacking in torque compared to the Golf. On one the driving profile was stuck in Normal (not a good look for a demo car) and the other did feel better when in sport mode but you shouldn't need to drive in sport... So is this lack of torque a feature of them managing to get better economy than the 110 TDI Golf gets?

I've also tested a 132 Passat sedan, Golf GTI Performance and Golf Alltrack. My wife and I both feel the Passat doesn't handle very well compared to the Golf 110 TDI, how do other feel about the Passat handling?

Cheers,
Karl

As a former B7 Passat owner and current B8 owner, I am stoked with the handling offered with the R-Line pack in both diesel and petrol variants. Steering is sharp, responsive and communicative. The low profile tyres do result in a busy ride on less than perfect roads, but the grip is sensational. Handling is assured and best in class. It's a ripper of a car on the freeway. Hugs the road and flys round corners and twisty bends. Never ever do I get a sense of losing grip regardless of dry or wet weather at 100 - 110 km/h. Of course, the Passat is a bigger car than the Golf, so even they are now both based on the MQB platform, it will feel different in the handling stakes compared to a smaller car like the Golf.

For me, the torque in the diesel is sensational, but before you get that glorious surge, it can seem rather dozy compared to the petrol that wants to spring off the line, so to speak.

Karl, with these sorts of reservations, why don't you wait and compare the Passat to the new Skoda Superb which will be released in the next month or so?

[Jondalar]

Karl, with these sorts of reservations, why don't you wait and compare the Passat to the new Skoda Superb which will be released in the next month or so?

Thanks for the reply. I was comparing the off idle acceleration with the Golf 110 TDI not the petrol variants. I have been looking at the Skoda specs however I've read that Skoda have pretty poor resale comparatively? That kind of put me off, otherwise I was seriously thinking about an Octavia RS 135 TDI fully loaded. I don't really need a car bigger than the Golf wagon, just needs to be comfortable. So far the Passat is the most comfortable to sit in, but I've not driven one for more than 10 min.

Cheers,
Karl

[entice]

Thanks for the reply. I was comparing the off idle acceleration with the Golf 110 TDI not the petrol variants. I have been looking at the Skoda specs however I've read that Skoda have pretty poor resale comparatively? That kind of put me off, otherwise I was seriously thinking about an Octavia RS 135 TDI fully loaded. I don't really need a car bigger than the Golf wagon, just needs to be comfortable. So far the Passat is the most comfortable to sit in, but I've not driven one for more than 10 min.

Cheers,
Karl

Due to the KM's I had to do in January, I drove the family Highline wagon with R pack and Luxury pack, as opposed to my Mk7 Golf R.

Driven on its own, I have to say that the 200+kms I was doing every day were so effortlessly and easily as well as comfortably done in the passat. I had no issues with comfort or handling characteristics. At first the off-line acceleration of the passat was a little disappointing, as it appears to be in the Golf R. If you've driven a Polo TSI or even a golf TSI in comparison you will understand what I mean. However, if you "push" these vehicles past the initial soft R foot press, you'll note you dont get much more from them...well, not compared to teh 140TDI or the golf R. I think this is a simple throttle mapping and is easily overcome with some software tweaks if you choose to do so. The car isnt much faster, but feels faster, as less apparent throttle input is required.
But I digress.
After a few drives I found myself enjoying the relaxed nature of the Passat. Mind you it replaced a same spec B7 (albeit not with a R Line pack). The handling I think for a car of its size, weight, and carrying capacity is fantastic. I agree that the engine feels different (even from teh 125TDI we had) but now with 6kKms on the clock its smoothening out. The Adblue is a new thing, and I find the B8 engine rattier compared to teh B7, but it definitely has more pull when pushed. But not when driven sedately... definitely a throttle mapping thing in my eyes.

as a comparison I also drove a sedan in same spec. Funnily, I felt the wagon drove better. by far. Better visibility, and more airyness. I also have extensively driven a petrol in teh wagon. No comparison whatsoever. It didnt have the R pack, but by gosh it had initial takeoff, but not much more when pushed hard.

So after 2 weeks of driving the Passat (14oTDI/R/Lux), I hopped back into my R. Umm, I take the R every day, but the Passat Highline with Lux and R packs (in wagon form) is definitely a nice drive in my eyes, and not too disappointing alternative transport! I dont mind if I have to drive it (other than it being a larger vehicle... have you seen the rear legroom in that thing???)

[Jondalar]

Thanks for the reply entice. An interesting perspective. I drive for at least 2 hours a day, half is highway but that is often stop start also. I mainly want to be comfortable, but I also want to be able to have fun, that was the main thing that impressed me with the GTI Performance I test drove, in comfort setting it was more comfortable than my wife's 110TDI Golf. The space of a Passat wagon would be handy though, and I do love the interior of them.

[Buzy_Robot]

The best feature about the 7 speed DSG is that is has the tendency to self destruct multiple times during the life of the vehicle.

The 6 speed used in the diesel is a far better gearbox.

I don't know about the 7spd DSG self-destructing these days! Surely the DSG fiasco of a few years ago is well and truly a thing of the past?! After 5 years I can certainly attest to the 6spd DSG being a robust unit though. For me, it's the spontaneity of the petrol B8 that took me by surprise compared to the more sedate characteristics of the diesel. Whether that's due to it being lighter and/or the engine tune and/or the dsg box itself, I don't know, but I'm actually enjoying the verve of the petrol B8 now. I don't have to give the accelerator pedal in the petrol the same sort of prod with my foot as I do with the diesel so I feel more in control of it than a few days ago. Maybe my next Passat will be petrol after all?! Time will tell ...

[Lucas_R]

^ they are still having issues with the 7 speed. Same old problems with the clutches wearing out prematurely and mechatronics issues.

[Jondalar]

^ they are still having issues with the 7 speed. Same old problems with the clutches wearing out prematurely and mechatronics issues.

Yeah our daughter has a 2010 Golf VI 90TSI bought 2nd hand with only 40k on it, it needs a new clutch pack and despite the servicing dealer saying VW Aust should cover at least part of the cost they refused to. Maybe not the same as a B8 Passat but it still makes me wary of the 7 speed.

Cheers,
Karl

[Cossor]

Yeah our daughter has a 2010 Golf VI 90TSI bought 2nd hand with only 40k on it, it needs a new clutch pack and despite the servicing dealer saying VW Aust should cover at least part of the cost they refused to. Maybe not the same as a B8 Passat but it still makes me wary of the 7 speed.

Cheers,
Karl

Please note this is for the troublesome MK 6, not the current MK 7. Just had a look at MK 7 Golf, and only two or three replacements carried out on the only thread I could find.

[MattPS]

Perhaps wait a fortnight and look at the Skoda Superb when released