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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.6L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 20 / 28 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 390 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $18,200–$22,388 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
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 →
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 →
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.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 → |
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.
Other sedans at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
