The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - 2020 Volkswagen Passat

TopSpeed

By Sidd Dhimaan

Published Jan 17, 2019

Is it worth investing 30,000 bucks in an old car with a botox treatment?

This car is nothing short of a legend, and when it goes down, it will be remembered as one of the longest running and the most successful sedans to have graced the Earth. Sounds like a tribute, doesn’t it? Well, that’s because the 2020 Volkswagen Passat may very well represent the last time the German company invests its time, money and resources into this car. The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was displayed at the Detroit Auto Show and, even though it is a very good package overall, we might give it a miss in favor of say, a crossover.

Nevertheless, here is a list of the things that work in the 2020 Passat’s favor, and some things that don’t:

The Good

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat Looks Sporty and Sophisticated

Volkswagen has done a great job at restyling the 2020 Volkswagen Passat. The sedan now looks more aggressive and sporty and will age gracefully. It has LED headlights and taillights as standard across the range, and the redesigned front grille looks similar to that of the Jetta now.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat's Cabin is the Ultimate Place of Solace under $50,000

This is the place you would want to be in after a long day at work. It comes with multiple interior options and feel-good factors to make a strong case for itself. You might think that the Passat is now 46 years old and may have been hit by mid-life crisis, but let us assure you that this ‘oldie’ is still as well equipped as its rivals. With the 2020 update, the Passat is now even more technologically advanced, comes with a fresh cockpit, and it feels premium overall.

The Bad

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat's Engine Is Not Very Punchy

There is just one powertrain on offer and, whether you like it or not, you will have to go for this. This is very unlike Volkswagen, which offers perhaps the most diverse engine options in its cars. The 2.0-liter, four-cylinder produces just 174 horses and 207 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a six-speed auto transmission that sends power to the front wheels. The increase of 23 pound-feet of torque does not make a huge difference and is just a paper-spec to add an extra point to the ‘what’s new’ list.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is Not Attractive to the Younger Crowd

This is definitely not a car that will attract the youth. It is meant for dads who want a smooth family cruiser that is comfortable inside out, doesn’t look gaudy and offensive, and is built to last a lifetime. Heck, it doesn’t have an all-wheel-drive system available. While the car features P-A-S-S-A-T lettering on the trunk lid, we are sure the new generation reads it as B-O-R-I-N-G.

The Ugly

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat is Based on an Old Architecture

It still rides on the old platform, which just does not feel right. Has Volkswagen given up on the Passat already? It might not matter to a layman, but anyone who knows even a little about cars will give the Passat a miss for this sole point. No matter how good the car looks and feels, it is outdated at its core. Period.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat May Be the Last of a Dying Breed

Stating the obvious, sedans can already see the white light and are not here for long. Some of them might survive, but the Passat surely won’t. No, we are not saying this out of the blue; it is the way the automaker is treating the car – It runs on the old platform, offers just one engine option, targets folks who are nearing retirement, and has nothing that could interest people who love cars – it is all right there.

With the SUV/crossover boom and the rEVolution, this might be the last time Volkswagen gives any attention to the Passat. What are your thoughts on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat? Let us know in the comments section below.