Volkswagen’s decision to put the Passat to rest in the United States post the 2022MY might have extinguished its American presence, but across the pond in Europe, the resilient midsize family car continued its journey, fortified by the more advanced MQB underpinnings. Emerging as the ninth iteration of this evergreen nameplate, the Passat B9, outshines its predecessors in Europe. Despite being second in sales only to the Golf, and standing tall before the Beetle, the Passat has reigned supreme since its inception in 1973, gifting over 30 million units to the world. Now, this new B9 incarnation exclusively presents itself as a wagon, as the era of the sedan is mournfully declared over.
The 2024 Passat Variant flaunts a rejuvenated foundation, the MQB Evo, a shared genetic code with the forthcoming next-gen Tiguan and the facelifted Golf Mk8. In an impressive transformation, this new Passat has embarked on a growth spurt compared to its Euro-spec B8 ancestor. Its body now stretches to a commanding 193.5 inches (4917 millimeters) in length, boasting a remarkable augmentation of 5.7 inches (144 mm). On the width front, there’s an expanded girth of 0.8 inches (20 mm), translating to a total of 72.9 inches (1852 mm). While the height retains its former stature at 59.2 inches (1506 mm), the wheelbase takes a stride forward, elongating by 1.97 inches (50 mm) to reach 111.8 inches (2841 mm).
Although the design doesn’t venture into the realm of revolution, it avoids being merely evolutionary by implementing a myriad of changes. Volkswagen has harmonized the Passat’s aesthetics with the visual vocabulary of its electric ID lineup. In a recent sighting devoid of any camouflage, the ID.7 Variant hinted at a future-oriented aura, while parallels with the past were unmistakable. Predictably, the exterior panache varies depending on the trim level: Passat, Business, Elegance, and R-Line. A selection of wheels, some measuring up to 19 inches, will be up for grabs, accompanied by innovative matrix LED headlights and dynamic LEDs bedazzling the rear, where a luminous strip now resides.
Inside the cabin, a bold departure from the Passat B8 becomes evident, as Volkswagen eschews the majority of physical switches. The touchscreen takes the reins, a hub for accessing a plethora of functions. Even the base model boasts a generous 12.9-inch touchscreen, with the option to scale up to 15 inches at an additional cost. Analog dials, a staple of the outgoing Passat, have been gracefully shown the exit, in favor of a standard fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster. Clever engineering, such as shifting the gear selector to the steering column, affords more cargo capacity between the seats, akin to the approach in the ID.7. Adding to the resemblance, a novel switch on the left side assumes control over the turn signals and wipers. The comfort quotient for the front occupants can be elevated by opting for the cutting-edge heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, endowed with 14-way electrical adjustability.
The expansion in dimensions not only translates to increased legroom but also endows the luggage compartment with an extra 1.41 cubic feet (40 liters) of space, tallying up to 24.3 cu ft (690 l) with the rear seats in place. Folding down the backrests unfurls a cavernous 67.8 cu ft (1,920 l) or a staggering enhancement of 4.9 cu ft (140 liters) compared to its predecessor.
The powertrain lineup leaves no gaps, introducing a mild-hybrid gasoline engine for the first time in Passat history. A 1.5-liter eTSI with cylinder deactivation technology and 148 horsepower (110 kilowatts) leads the charge. Following suit is the beefier 2.0 TSI with 201 hp (150 kW) in the front-wheel-drive configuration, accompanied by a more robust iteration with 261 hp (195 kW) and 4Motion all-wheel drive.
Diesel enthusiasts of 2024 can breathe easy, as VW offers the 2.0 TDI in three states of tune: 121 hp (90 kW) and 148 hp (110 kW) as front-wheel-drive models, and a more potent 190 hp (142 kW) with all-wheel drive. Across the range, both gasoline and diesel engines channel power through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The eco-conscious aren’t left behind either, with plug-in hybrids presented as “eHybrid” models. The base version churns out 201 hp (150 kW) and 258 pound-feet (350 Newton-meters) of torque, while the robust variant flexes its muscles with 268 hp (200 kW) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). Under the hood of these PHEVs lies a 1.5-liter TSI, a six-speed DSG, and a 19.7-kWh battery pack, capable of an electric range of up to 62 miles (100 kilometers).
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