The Volkswagen Passat is one of the most popular Volkswagen models and one of the best family cars money can buy. The very first Passat model was introduced in 1973 and has since spawned 8 different generations. Be that as it may, times are changing and the VW Passat could come to an end very soon.
To answer the main question, there will be a 2023 Passat, but certain changes are going to take place. For starters, a sedan version of the Volkswagen Passat is likely going to be discontinued for a few distinct reasons and you are only going to be able to buy the VW Passat Variant (estate version).
The reason why the sedan is going out of production is that the Volkswagen Arteon exists and there is no need for VW to make two really similar-looking and similar-sized sedans. Moreover, we live in an era of SUVs and crossovers which is why sedan sales are declining in general. The upcoming VW ID. AERO is also going to fill in Passat’s shoes for the electric car market.
There is simply no need for the Passat as it can’t match the Arteon and because the VW ID. AERO exists. We are also likely to see certain changes with the new Arteon lineup in order to make it even more competitive.
Is the Volkswagen Passat a good car?
The Volkswagen Passat is actually a really good car for numerous reasons. For starters, it is a car that offers comfortable seating for up to five passengers at the same time and it offers a class-leading trunk size. It is a really safe car overall as it has won a stellar 5-star safety rating both with EuroNCAP and the US-based IIHS.
Price-wise, the Volkswagen Passat positions itself under the Audi A6, the BMW 5-Series, the Mercedes Benz E-Class, and the Volvo S90 which is where it managed to sell the best. These four premium sedans are more expensive, but also offer a lot more in the way of luxury, comfort, practicality, and technology.
The Volkswagen Passat is also a car that comes in many different engine variations which include diesel engines with power ranging between 116 and 240hp. The 2.0LTDI 4-cylinder with 240hp is one of the most powerful diesel 4-cylinders of all time, yet it also manages to offer impressive MPG.
Reliability and overall running costs are really good for a car of this size as well. All in all, the Volkswagen Passat is a really good car as it offers a well-rounded experience that is likely to satisfy 99% of buyers out there.
Are the Volkswagen Arteon and the Volkswagen ID. AERO worthy replacements of the Passat sedan?
According to VW, they certainly are. We do need to realize that Volkswagen wouldn’t discontinue a car that has been around since the 70s if they aren’t 100% confident in its replacements. The Arteon is one of the best-looking cars VW ever made from the outside, but on the inside, it is virtually identical to the Passat which is also why this makes sense.
The Arteon and the Passat share a bunch of parts with each other including the engines, the transmission, the chassis, and pretty much every other mechanical component there is. The Arteon looks completely different, but underneath, it is just a normal Passat.
The VW ID. AERO on the other hand is a car made on the new MEB electric car platform and is thus a completely separate product. VW knows that it makes no sense to have three sedans in its lineup at the same time, especially when sedans aren’t all that popular to begin with.
Are sedan sales declining?
Yes, sedan sales are declining rapidly across the board which enticed many large carmakers to scale down on their sedan offerings in favor of SUVs and crossovers. The Ford Mondeo was one of the most significant rivals to the Volkswagen Passat, but it was discontinued along with all other sedans Ford makes.
The reason why sedans are declining is partly that people simply enjoy SUVs and crossovers more, and because they aren’t as safe as SUVs are. Sure, all cars these days are much safer than what they were a few decades ago, but you are more than 7 times more likely to die in a car than you are in an SUV.
SUVs, crossovers, and electric cars are becoming the most popular cars on the planet which is why many automakers (including VW) have to rethink their lineups. VW did that and decided to ditch the Passat sedan as there simply isn’t enough financial sense to hold onto three similar sedans at the same time.
FAQ Section
Does Volkswagen offer any sedans besides the Arteon, the Passat, and the ID. AERO?
Yes, you can buy the Volkswagen Jetta which is the smallest VW sedan on the market, but besides the Jetta, there are no other available sedans with a VW badge. VW used to offer the Phaeton which celebrated its 20th birthday this year. VW even planned on reviving the Phaeton as they did make a working and driving prototype which was scrapped as well.
Even though you aren’t going to be able to buy many sedans from VW, VW is still one of those brands that do offer sedans at all while many US-based automakers have ditched sedans altogether.
Does it make sense to buy a used Volkswagen Passat?
Yes, a used Volkswagen Passat is always going to be a good choice for a few distinct reasons. For starters, if you buy the last VW Passat sedan, you are likely going to see its value being stable for a long time as it is the last Passat you can buy.
Furthermore, the VW Passat offers the best value-for-money ratio out of all existing family sedans out there. A relatively new used WV Passat costs a whole lot less than its other German rivals.
Why does VW still offer the Passat Variant Estate?
Believe it or not, most families in Europe are interested in buying the estate version of the Passat as opposed to the sedan variant which is why the estate Passat is going to live on. The Arteon also comes in an estate/shooting brake form, but it is not selling nearly as well as the estate version of the Passat.