Volkswagen Passat Real World MPG Numbers

smarty666

Hey all, I might be considering the Passat for a next vehicle, so I wanted to find out what kind of mpg city/highway some of you with the new model are getting with the 2.5L 4 cyl and the TDI. The TDI is rated much higher for mpg, but is it worth the extra costs to get, especially if gas prices ever go back down.

prospective

I have a 2012 Passat S with a 5 speed manual transmission... The best mileage I've been able to squeeze out in mixed city/highway conditions is 31 MPG. That's with short shifting and setting the cruise control at 55 MPH on the highway. Real world driving in mixed conditions is more like 27 MPG. I was a little disappointed as I was getting a consistant 37 MPG out of my 2010 Honda Civic prior to the Passat. Here's my review on my 2012 Passat:

I have had all kinds of minor quality problems with my 2012 Passat... I love the car but VW doesn't do a whole lot to rectify these issues:

1. Seatbelt light and chimes even though my seatbelt is fastened and I'm the only person in the car. VW's lame excuse is that my cell phone is emitting electromagnetic waves that are setting the seatbelt light and chimes off. VW told me not to charge my cell phone in the car and not to get my phone too close to any of the seats. LAME!

2. Front end suspension noise. I has to bring my car in to the dealer twice before they admitted the right front suspension was defective. I had to put the tech guy in my car and roll over speed bumps at low speed before he admitted there was a defect. They have since rectified the problem.

3. Drivers door. The drivers door doesn't close unless you slam it like you are angry. The door should close properly with just the weight of the door. The VW tech told me "You know, everything on a new car doesn't actually work perfectly." Another LAME!

4. Rear trunk lid. Same problem with the rear trunk lid not closing unless you slam it like you are angry. There are scratches on the inside lid latch that show the latch is not aligned properly. Tech response, "All VW's are like this." A third LAME!

5. My brakes squeek in the morning. Eveyday, when leaving my house, my brakes squeek. Tech guy: "Due to the high humidity in the Hawaiian Islands, it's normal for VW brakes to squeek in the morning." Huh, I've leased Hondas for the last 14 years and never had squeeky brakes before. This must be a VW Issue? One more time: LAME!

prospective

Here's an update on my Passat's rear trunk lid not closing properly... I took my Passat to a auto-body shop and paid them $187.40 to fix the trunk lid. I took my car to Tony Volkswagen twice to have the problem fixed as the car is under warranty. The dealer techs refused to admit their was a problem and my regional VW representative Eric W. said he had to support the dealer techs opinion that their was never a problem with my trunk lid. Funny thing is now the trunk lid is aligned properly and it closes with just the weight of the lid itself. Just like it's supposed to. So much for Volkswagen supporting their customers and their flagship Passat! :mad:

belaircarguy

I have a 2012 Passat SE with manual transmission. Just got the car in mid April, and it was built early April. Gas mileage is high 20's in mixed city/highway driving, and low 30's on straight highway driving. I had a 2009 Jetta with the same engine (2.5 gas) and automatic transmission that was traded. That car got about the same mileage as the Passat. I am pleased, as the car is lively with good handling and plenty of power. The build quality is excellent, with no squeaks or rattles. All body panels align well, paint is flawless, and unlike a note on this forum about doors and trunk lids not shutting properly, mine close easily.

I would highly recommend looking at the Passat, as it has good road manners, comfortable seats, and an excellent radio with Bluetooth (it actually loaded my entire phone book from my Blackberry), HD FM radio, and Sirius satellite radio. This is the first car I had with HD FM radio. Quite clear and sounds like Sirius! Have not activated the Sirius radio as I now question spending $13 per month on satellite, when HD FM is great!

Bel Air Car Guy

bobthebike

Ditto on all your observations. For mileage, I can get 35mpg cruising at 80mph. I do have the tires pumped up to 38psi and use 100% gas when possible. The car has been a peach in all aspects.

bug4

I have 3500 miles on my 2012 SE Passat and I'm getting a consistent 29-31 on level interstate driving. That's not bad. But, I'd hoped for better since I've been babying the car and not putting my foot in the throttle at all. Also, my trip computer is about 8-9% off (always giving me results that are too high).

gcutler196

Hi, I'm interested in your comments on the Passat MPG's and other issues. Just so you have a little background on me and don't just want to blast me since I do value your opinion. I actually started in the car business this year and I am selling VW. Actually I'm going to lease a Passat myself. Now I'm 50 and started working on cars with my father in the 1960's and even though I'm in Sales I can work on anything and have for a long time. I started in sales when I was 24 and it was in Motorcycle's, snowmobiles, ATV's, PWC's and also Power Equipment came in along my career path. Now in any mechanical product that is mass produced there will always be some issues in any brand. Over the years when you see the same problem on multiple products you do question quality control and reliability. Overall when you do the math which NEVER lies, people lie, generally issues nationally are always under a 2% Max! Not every tech is good, not all service departments are good and the jobs of Manufacturer’s Tech departments are to Deny claims. That is why there is a Customer Service department. Customer Service will step in and authorize a repair since they operate on a separate budget and want to satisfy the Customer. I have seen it all, in any brand or model.
So now your issues are resolved, correct?? Obviously someone dropped the ball on your car in quality control and no one wants the car that was finished on Friday at 4pm or Monday Morning. Now did you really expect the far lager Passat to get the same mileage as a Civic? Sure in Diesel but not in gas engines. The fit issues were wrong and the answers you were given suck so there was a total lack of professionalism. So are you happy with the car at this point. I wouldn't buy one just because I sell the brand, I'm keeping my 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT quad cab 4x4 because I still need a truck and it's paid for. I was a Territory Manager for Toro for over 8 years on the road and I fixed issues that a lot of techs couldn't. Now I need a more fuel-efficient daily commuter car and I like the Passat. So all I am suggesting on anything that you ever own is that if you get resistance from Service then contact the Manufacturer's Customer Service Department and your life will be simplified. I only posted this because I spotted your aggravation on what is really a well-made product. In the end they are all great when they run and fit perfect and they all suck when they are broken. So I hope you find this information of some value and best of luck on your car!

westys_4_ever

I just got a 2012 Passat with the 2.5L 6A powertrain and I gotta say, I love it!

We just took an 1,800 mile road trip and filled up 3 times. Each fill up was about 14 gallons +/-. We averaged 35 mpg for the trip and got as high as 37 at one stretch. This was with the cruise control set at 75 mph too.

I am sure with the TDI, the mpg numbers would be better and maybe we would have spent less in total on fuel for the whole trip despite the higher cost of diesel. I really think with this car it's 6 of 1, half dozen of another.

sirrob1000

Just purchased one a couple of weeks ago.

Its not the same as a gas engine with respect to acceleration, but I knew that going in. The car doesn't ride as quiet or smooth as some of the other sedans out there--but we bought it for the longevity and fuel savings.

The car has been nothing short of miraculous on the MPG department. On the freeway--going 70ish--I average about 45 MPG.

In town--drops to 32-34 MPG depending on traffic conditions.

Don't have any of the fit/finish problems mentioned above.

al63017

Drove Hondas for years. Had 2011 Jetta TDI and 2012 SE Passat gas engine. Both cars were flawless and got amazing mpg. Jetta 43 mpg consistently and Passat up to 36 on a recent trip to Florida on some of the long flat stretches of 200 miles or so. I would buy another one in a second. Drove a Honda recently and was so happy to be in my VW as Honda just did not seem so nice inside anymore and was just not impressive like I used to feel. German engineering now I know what that means.

remarc

While the car drives me crazy with repairs- it gets a solid 53 MGP sometimes higher- around town driving up to 56 on highways. I cannot afford NOT to fix the multidue small issues that crop up in a 16 year old car. It's a standard transmission and fun to drive - I have not had any variance in the mpg for years. It's reliable and consistant - and I've drives 935 on one tank before the numbers scared me into filling up.

homerkc

I've driven my 2013 SE 2.5 auto for six months, seeing 25mpg consistently in mixed suburban driving. I've only taken one road trip, that a high speed cruise across Oklahoma and Texas, and averaged 31mpg. My 2007 Jetta, with 2.5 and 5 spd manual, did no better. I've seen real-life numbers for the Fusion 1.6T much lower.

stevedebi

Just filled up my 2014 TDI SE for the first time. 80% highway, 43.5 MPG.

stevedebi

Second fill up on my TDI SE. About 80% highway. 40.2 MPG.

stevedebi

OK, 3rd fill up at 38.3 MPG. A bit down, but we will see how it goes. This one is 95% highway. I'm wondering if it isn't a bit more efficient in mixed driving...

Still great for the size, comfort, and room, of course.

stevedebi

Fourth fill up, 39.07. At least the number is going up. The wife wants over 40, but this number seems OK to me. almost all highway.

stevedebi

Latest fill up at 40.67. At least back over 40. Wife says she is trying to ease up a bit so as to get better MPG.

stevedebi

Two more fill ups: 37.96 and 39.53.

Just got back from a trip to San Diego, all on one tank. The indicated MPG was 43.5, but I've found that the dash is somewhat optimistic. Probably fill it up this week again.

stevedebi

Four more fill ups, all at high speeds (over 70 MPH) on our recent vacation.

40.05, 42.24, 40.14, 40.66

This is an amazing car. I never wanted for more power, at any speeds. Hard to believe there is only 2.0L under there!

jhinsc

My third tank I achieved 40.5 avg, calculated, first tank over 40!. MFI stated 42.1, not too far off.

stevedebi

Latest fill up at 43 MPG.

stevedebi

Last few tanks,

42.83, 39.44 (only a partial fill up), 44.65

Coming up on the first oil change at 10K.

stevedebi

Still holding at 42 or better at 22K miles.

stevedebi

30K Now, lifetime MPG is at 43.23. Mostly road miles.

Can't buy the diesel at the moment, of course.