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Drawing of the Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat

Giugiaro roots, a 4.0 L W8 in 2001, and over 34 million sold.123

Researched October 22, 2026 from 37 sources

Also called

  • DasherNorth American name for the B1, introduced there for the 1974 model year.4
  • QuantumUS name for the second-generation Passat; Brazil also used it on the Santana wagon.56
  • SantanaEuropean name for the B2's three-box sedan until the 1985 facelift; also used in China and Brazil.6
  • MagotanChinese name for the long-wheelbase European Passat, sold alongside the separate NMS sedan.7

At a glance

0150300
48–296 hpPower
012.525
5.3–21.5 s0–100 km/h
0125250
141–250 km/hTop speed
0250500
80–500 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
860–1,830 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.241011141516

Engine
1973: 1.3/1.5 L fours; 2001: 4.0 L W8; eHybrid plug-in hybrids2413
Layout
Front engine; front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive9
Gearbox
B1: 4-speed manual/3-speed auto; B8: 6-speed manual, 6/7-speed DSG411
Built at
B1: Wolfsburg, Germany; B8: Emden, Germany; NMS: Chattanooga, United States4711
Units built
B2: about 4.5 million worldwide; Brazilian B1: 676,81946

The story

Built to replace the Type 3 and Type 4, the Passat helped open Volkswagen's water-cooled era in 1973. Giorgetto Giugiaro shaped the original around Audi 80 B1 hardware.14

1973: Water cooling meets Giugiaro19731988: B3: sideways engine, grilleless nose19882001: 4.0 L W8 and 250 km/h20012011: NMS launches; 2012 Car of the Year20112014: European B8 adopts MQB20142019: Almost 30 million; three model lines20192023: 50 years and over 34 million sold20232024: B9 Variant: up to 120 km electric2024 Volkswagen Passat B1 (B1): 1973–1988B1Volkswagen Passat B2 (B2): 1980–2013B2Volkswagen Passat B3 (35i): 1988–199335iVolkswagen Passat B4 (B4): 1993–1997B4Volkswagen Passat B5 (3B/3BG): 1996–20053B/3BGVolkswagen Passat B7 (B7): 2010–2015B7Volkswagen Passat NMS (NMS): 2011–presentNMSVolkswagen Passat B8 (B8): 2014–2024B8 19801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones12467811141723
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1973–1988Volkswagen Passat B1 (B1)
1980–2013Volkswagen Passat B2 (B2)
1988–1993Volkswagen Passat B3 (35i)
1993–1997Volkswagen Passat B4 (B4)
1996–2005Volkswagen Passat B5 (3B/3BG)
2010–2015Volkswagen Passat B7 (B7)
2011–presentVolkswagen Passat NMS (NMS)
2014–2024Volkswagen Passat B8 (B8)
1973Water cooling meets Giugiaro
1988B3: sideways engine, grilleless nose
20014.0 L W8 and 250 km/h
2011NMS launches; 2012 Car of the Year
2014European B8 adopts MQB
2019Almost 30 million; three model lines
202350 years and over 34 million sold
2024B9 Variant: up to 120 km electric
  1. 1973

    Water cooling meets Giugiaro

    Production begins May 14: Giugiaro's Audi 80 B1-based design helps launch Volkswagen's water-cooled reinvention.1

  2. 1988

    B3: sideways engine, grilleless nose

    The B3's transverse engine frees cabin space; its grilleless front breathes through the Volkswagen badge, with almost two meters of interior length.18

  3. 2001

    4.0 L W8 and 250 km/h

    The W8 4MOTION becomes Volkswagen's W-engine test bed; US buyers gain a six-speed manual option for the 2003 model year.2910

  4. 2011

    NMS launches; 2012 Car of the Year

    Detroit gets a bigger, cheaper Passat for North America and China; it wins Motor Trend's 2012 Car of the Year.7

  5. 2014

    European B8 adopts MQB

    B8 premieres on July 3 with an enlarged MQB platform; its GTE plug-in hybrid joins the European range in 2015.11

  6. 2019

    Almost 30 million; three model lines

    The name nears 30 million sales as China's Passat adopts MQB and North America keeps its older platform alongside the separate B8.912

  7. 2023

    50 years and over 34 million sold

    The anniversary display includes the oldest Passat, a 1973 B1 LS; worldwide sales top 34 million.13

  8. 2024

    B9 Variant: up to 120 km electric

    The B9 launches as a wagon; eHybrids offer up to 120 km electrically and 50 kW DC charging, with optional DCC Pro suspension and massage seats.3913

Every generation

  • Volkswagen Passat B1
    B11973–1988
  • Volkswagen Passat B2
    B21980–2013
  • Volkswagen Passat B3
    35i1988–1993
  • Volkswagen Passat B4
    B41993–1997
  • Volkswagen Passat B5
    3B/3BG1996–2005
  • Volkswagen Passat B7
    B72010–2015
  • Volkswagen Passat NMS
    NMS2011–present
  • Volkswagen Passat B8
    B82014–2024

Power over the years

From 54 hp to 296 hp in 34 years.

0100200300 19801990200020102020 hp 1973 · 54 hp · B1 1.3 L1989 · 158 hp · B3 G60 Syncro1991 · 172 hp · B3 VR61996 · 148 hp · B5 1.8T1997 · 148 hp · B5 VR52000 · 168 hp · B5.5 VR5 20V2001 · 271 hp · B5.5 W82007 · 296 hp · B6 R362015 · 237 hp · B8 2.0 BiTDI 4Motion2024 · 190 hp · B9 TDI 4MOTION, 2,200 kg tow rating2024 · 201 hp · B9 eHybrid Business2024 · 268 hp · B9 eHybrid R-Line 296 hp B6 R36 54 hp B1 1.3 L
34891011131415
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197354B1 1.3 L
1989158B3 G60 Syncro
1991172B3 VR6
1996148B5 1.8T
1997148B5 VR5
2000168B5.5 VR5 20V
2001271B5.5 W8
2007296B6 R36
2015237B8 2.0 BiTDI 4Motion
2024190B9 TDI 4MOTION, 2,200 kg tow rating
2024201B9 eHybrid Business
2024268B9 eHybrid R-Line

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    B7 S, SE, Sport and BlueMotion

    2010

  • Brazilian B1 LSE

    Special

    Brazilian B1 LSE

    1983–1988

    71 hp

    170,000 built

  • Brazilian B1 TS 1.6 / GTS 1.8 Pointer

    Performance

    Brazilian B1 TS 1.6 / GTS 1.8 Pointer

  • Performance

    B3 VR6

    1991–1993

    172 hp

  • Performance

    B3 GT G60 syncro

    1989–1993

    158 hp
  • B5.5 W8 4MOTION

    Performance

    B5.5 W8 4MOTION

    2001–2004

    271 hp
  • Passat GT

    Performance

    Passat GT

    2018

    280 hp
  • R36

    Performance

    R36

    2008–2010

    296 hp
  • Variant R-Line Edition

    Limited

    Variant R-Line Edition

    2019

  • Limited

    Chattanooga Limited Edition

    2022

    174 hp

    1,973 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • B1: two- or four-door sedans with a fastback tail.4
  • B3: no radiator grille; a round air intake carries the VW logo.8
  • Eighth generation: a body crease runs through the door handles.22
  • China's Magotan is the stretched European Passat; the separate NMS comes only as a sedan.7

Year by year

  1. 1977 / 1978 model year

    The B1 facelift relocates the indicators and uses four round or two rectangular headlights, depending on specification.4

  2. 1993 (B3 to B4)

    The B4 restores a grille and changes the outer panels while retaining the B3 roof and window outline.23

  3. 2001 model year (B5.5)

    B5.5 revises headlights, rear lights, bumpers and chrome; front fog lamps move out of the main headlight units.10

  4. 2016 (North America)

    North American cars gain a reshaped hood and bumpers, with LED headlights and rear lights becoming optional.7

  5. 2022 (China)

    The Chinese Passat gains honeycomb-shaped chrome grille inserts, revised LED headlights and a full-width rear light bar.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Passat
    Passat
    Photo of a Volkswagen CC
    Volkswagen CC

    Volkswagen CC

    Look for the CC's lower roof: it is the four-door coupe branch of the Passat.9

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Passat
    Passat
    Photo of a Volkswagen Arteon liftback
    Volkswagen Arteon liftback

    Volkswagen Arteon liftback

    The Arteon has a liftback body; the B8 Passat comes as a four-door sedan or a five-door wagon.11

  • Photo of a Volkswagen Passat
    Passat
    Photo of a Skoda Superb Combi
    Skoda Superb Combi

    Skoda Superb Combi

    For the current wagons, compare the bumpers and lamps; the Passat carries a continuous rear light band.24

Against its rivals

  • Honda Accord 2.0T

    Passat vs Honda Accord 2.0T

    0–97 km/h (approx.) lower is better

    Passat5.9 s
    Honda Accord 2.0T5.5 s
    20
  • Skoda Superb Combi 2.0 TDI 4x4

    Passat vs Skoda Superb Combi 2.0 TDI 4x4

    0–100 km/h lower is better

    Passat7.2 s
    Skoda Superb Combi 2.0 TDI 4x47.4 s
    24

Prices

Value today $4.1K–$18.0K30

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 201520202025 Value today: $4,100–$18,000 2012 · $25,595 · US base, SE2012 · $28,665 · US base, SE TDI2012 · $29,765 · US base, SEL2013 · $33,945 · US tested, SEL Premium TDI2018 · $29,995 · US base, GT2022 · $30,295 · US base, Limited Edition 2024 · $18,000 · 2003 W8 4Motion wagon 6-speed, 126,000 mi, Bring a Trailer2024 · $15,275 · 2004 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 43,000 mi, Bring a Trailer2024 · $8,650 · 1992 1.8T-powered 5-speed, 195k miles, BaT2025 · $6,800 · 2004 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 77,000 mi, Bring a Trailer2025 · $4,500 · 2004 W8 4Motion sedan automatic, 50,000 mi, Bring a Trailer2025 · $6,500 · 1995 GLX VR6 wagon 5-speed, 80k miles, BaT2025 · $11,350 · 2010 wagon, 27k miles, BaT2025 · $6,450 · 2003 W8 4Motion sedan, 82k miles, BaT2025 · $7,600 · 1981 Dasher diesel wagon 4-speed, 113k miles, BaT2026 · $4,100 · 2003 W8 4Motion wagon automatic, 189,000 mi, Bring a Trailer2026 · $16,999 · 2003 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 28,000 mi, Bring a Trailer2026 · $9,708 · 2004 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 24,000 mi, Bring a Trailer2026 · $4,713 · 2003 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 177,000 mi, Bring a Trailer $18.0K Bring a Trailer, 2024
57202630323334353637
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2012Price when new$25,595US base, SE
2012Price when new$28,665US base, SE TDI
2012Price when new$29,765US base, SEL
2013Price when new$33,945US tested, SEL Premium TDI
2018Price when new$29,995US base, GT
2022Price when new$30,295US base, Limited Edition
2024Auction sale$18,0002003 W8 4Motion wagon 6-speed, 126,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$15,2752004 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 43,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$8,6501992 1.8T-powered 5-speed, 195k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,8002004 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 77,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$4,5002004 W8 4Motion sedan automatic, 50,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2025Auction sale$6,5001995 GLX VR6 wagon 5-speed, 80k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$11,3502010 wagon, 27k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$6,4502003 W8 4Motion sedan, 82k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$7,6001981 Dasher diesel wagon 4-speed, 113k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$4,1002003 W8 4Motion wagon automatic, 189,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$16,9992003 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 28,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$9,7082004 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 24,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$4,7132003 W8 4Motion sedan 6-speed, 177,000 mi, Bring a Trailer
2026Value today$4,100–$18,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “3.02 L/100 km across 48 states”
    • “50 years, more than 34 million Passats”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 8 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 37 sources
  1. Techno Classica 2023: Volkswagen celebrates 50 years of the Passat | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  2. Passat B5 (1996–2005) | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  3. The Volkswagen business class: world premiere of the all-new Passat Variant | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  4. Volkswagen Passat (B1) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Volkswagen Passat Chattanooga Limited Edition | 2022MY caricos.com
  6. Volkswagen Passat (B2) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Volkswagen Passat (North America and China) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. Passat B3 (1988–1993) | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  9. Volkswagen Passat - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  10. Volkswagen Passat (B5) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  11. Volkswagen Passat (B8) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  12. Sporty limited edition: World premiere of the new Passat Variant R-Line Edition at the Geneva International Motor Show | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  13. plug-in hybrid drives, TDI, 4MOTION – new Passat can now be ordered with further drive variants from 41,745 euros | Volkswagen Newsroom volkswagen-newsroom.com
  14. Volkswagen Passat (B6) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  15. Used Volkswagen Passat (Mk8, 2014-2021) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  16. VW Passat B1 kaufen: Unsere besten Tipps im Ratgeber autozeitung.de
  17. Used Volkswagen Passat buying guide: 2010-2015 (Mk7) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  18. Volkswagen Passat GTE (EU-Spec) | 2020MY caricos.com
  19. Volkswagen Passat (B3) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Tested: 2018 Volkswagen Passat GT caranddriver.com
  21. Buying a used Volkswagen Passat (2006-12) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  22. VW Design Director Klaus Bischoff on the New Passat formtrends.com
  23. Volkswagen Passat (B4) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. Eineiige Zwillinge? Skoda Superb & VW Passat im Vergleichstest autozeitung.de
  25. Volkswagen Passat W-8 4MOTION – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  26. 2012 Car of The Year: Volkswagen Passat - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  27. The Force (advertisement) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  28. Who are you? | Culture | The Guardian theguardian.com
  29. Tanner Foust returns to Formula Drift with Nexen Tire - Formula DRIFT BLOG news.formulad.com
  30. Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion Market Values & Price History | backlist.io Market backlist.io
  31. Do you have a 2012, 2013, or 2014 VW Passat TDI? | Federal Trade Commission search.ftc.gov
  32. 2013 Volkswagen Passat TDI Diesel Long-Term Test caranddriver.com
  33. No Reserve: 21-Years-Owned 2003 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion Sedan for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,450 on May 18, 2025 (Lot #192,177) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. No Reserve: 27k-Mile 2010 Volkswagen Passat Wagon for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,350 on June 27, 2025 (Lot #198,107) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. No Reserve: 1995 Volkswagen Passat GLX VR6 Wagon 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,500 on December 2, 2025 (Lot #221,986) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. No Reserve: 1981 Volkswagen Dasher Diesel Wagon 4-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $7,600 on February 28, 2025 (Lot #182,061) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 1.8T-Powered 1992 Volkswagen Passat 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $8,650 on July 13, 2024 (Lot #154,280) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • volkswagen-newsroom.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caricos.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autozeitung.de
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • formtrends.com
  • motortrend.com
  • theguardian.com
  • news.formulad.com
  • backlist.io
  • search.ftc.gov

Photo credits

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