Volkswagen Passat (2015-2019) Buyer’s Guide
Is the VW Passat a smart used buy?
Though it ultimately proved an unsuccessful strategy, the B8-series Volkswagen Passat was pitched directly at the likes of the F30 BMW 3 Series and the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It also competed with a Volkswagen Group cousin in the form of the pre-facelift B9-series Audi A4 sedan, as well as the similarly under-appreciated XE30-gen Lexus IS and the Nissan-backed (but rarely seen) Infiniti Q50.
Meanwhile, non-premium rivals included the 3rd-gen Mazda6, the Ford Fusion (known as the Mondeo in some parts of the world), the 6th-gen Subaru Legacy and the 9th-gen Honda Accord. Of course, as was the case with the Passat, IS and Q50, these sedans all failed to survive in Mzansi. As an aside, the 6th-gen Hyundai Sonata exited SA around the time of the B8 Passat’s arrival, while the axe fell on the 3rd-gen Kia Optima even earlier, towards the middle of 2014.
The VW outlasted most of the since-discontinued saloons mentioned above, but it nevertheless sold in exceedingly slim numbers in South Africa. As such, despite the Passat’s title as Wolfsburg’s 2nd-most popular nameplate ever, there aren’t many B8-series examples on Mzansi’s used market today.
Still, if you appreciate understated styling, a frugal-yet-gutsy turbodiesel engine and a cabin that’s comfortable, spacious and well-built, the 8th-gen Volkswagen Passat – specifically when fitted with choice options – represents a compelling, classy alternative to the so-called “Big Three”. Just be prepared to search long and hard…
