2014 Volkswagen Passat — Carivo review carivo.co
Sedan

2014 Volkswagen Passat

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $18,200–$22,388
Fuel Economy 18 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Sedan
Est. Annual Fuel $2,917/yr

Key Specifications — 2014 Volkswagen Passat

Engine3.6L 6-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S6)
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG20 / 28 MPG
Combined MPG23 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$3,550
CO₂ Emissions390 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSedan
Base Price$18,200–$22,388

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2014 Volkswagen Passat

Our scoring places the 2014 Volkswagen Passat at 6.9/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10. It's a capable but unexceptional sedan — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.6/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.6/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Tech rates a reasonable 7.0/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.

Priced from $18,200–$22,388, 18 MPG, seating 5, the Volkswagen Passat sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.0/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 12 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Our take: The 2014 Volkswagen Passat is a passable sedan but not a standout one. Weaknesses in reliability and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Sedans

The 2014 Volkswagen Passat ranks #1118 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 15% of the segment. Its 6.9/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $18,200 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 34%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →

Which Passat Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2012 Volkswagen Passat scores 6.9/10 — within striking distance of the 2014's 6.9 — and starts roughly $1,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2022 7.4/10$26,592 Read review →
2021 7.4/10$25,743 Read review →
2020 7.4/10$24,895 Read review →
2019 7.2/10$24,046 Read review →
2018 7.2/10$23,197 Read review →
2017 7.1/10$22,349 Read review →
2016 7.1/10$21,500 Read review →
2015 7.0/10$20,651 Read review →
2014 (this review) 6.9/10$18,200
2013 6.9/10$17,420 Read review →
2012 6.9/10$16,640 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2014 Volkswagen Passat

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 18 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2014 Volkswagen Passat (10 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Exterior lighting / Headlights
22/05/2019 · 19V389000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2020 Volkswagen Passat and 2018-2019 Atlas vehicles. The blocking cap disabling the adjustment of the headlight's horizontal aim may not have been installed. As such, these vehicles…
Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module
06/03/2018 · 18V148000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive…
Engine and engine cooling / Engine / Diesel
11/05/2017 · 17V309000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Passat vehicles, equipped with diesel engines and Direct-Shift Transmissions (DSG). The vehicle's underbody heat shield may not be long enough to protect the right half-shaft…
Power train / Automatic transmission / Cooling unit and lines
15/04/2014 · 14V182000
Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2014 Jetta, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Passat vehicles equipped with a 1.8T engine and torque converter automatic transmission. In the affected vehicles, the O-ring seals…
Electrical system / Wiring
24/03/2016 · 16V171000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Passat vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Due to improperly assembled wire seals in a connector for an underbody sensor, water may enter and corrode the electrical…

Showing 5 of 10 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.

Common Questions — 2014 Volkswagen Passat

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

We rate the 2014 Volkswagen Passat's reliability 6.6/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat have?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Passat worth buying?

It scores 6.9/10 overall, ranking #1118 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 15% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2014 Volkswagen Passat cost?

The 2014 Volkswagen Passat starts at $18,200 and ranges up to $22,388 across trims (MSRP when new). At 18 MPG, expect roughly $2,917/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

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