Honest thoughts - 2014 Passat?

[liquid]

So I've decided to move on from the B7 S4 to something newer and better on gas. With two kids in car seats I need more room (especially rear leg room), and want something that will be simple to maintain and I don't have to worry about getting dirty, etc.

My first thought was the new 3 series touring or the B8 Allroad, but given that they are ~$50k, that is out. I'm now thinking about the new Passat (most likely Highline), which has more than enough room.

Anyone have experience with the new Passat, or have opinions?

[witchcraftz]

Re: Honest thoughts - 2014 Passat?

The new VW hybrids have great fuel economy, the trunk space on any Jetta/Passat is huge and the ride quality good.

But I personally don't like the interior of the Passat and from the exterior it is so similar to the Jetta that I would recommend you look at a Jetta vs the Passat as I don't feel the Passat brings enough to the table to justify the increased price.

[mrx]

Re: Honest thoughts - 2014 Passat?

I'm in a Mk6 Wagon so I'll comment on its size compared to the Jetta vs Passat. With 1 toddler in a car seat, my car does get a bit tight for leg room in the back. When we were reverse facing the car seat, the passenger seat had to be pushed up pretty far to keep the car seat level. Now that we are forward facing, it's made a big difference. My wife usually sits back there and she doesn't mind as much, but I can definitely see it's cramped. Having been in the Jetta, cabin space is pretty much the same as my car. If you have 2 car seats, depending if they are side by side, it'll definitely be cramped width wise as well.

I just had a 2013 Passat for a rental car and it was much much more spacious than my car. I can see fitting 2 car seats in the back and still have somewhat comfy room to fit an adult back there too. Only complaint I had with it is stock handling wasn't great. The car felt like it was constantly wandering. Might have been just an alignment issue, but I felt the same thing with my own wagon when I drove it off the lot. Coilovers and an alignment changed all that for my car.

If you want fuel economy go with a TDI. My 2.0 TDI gets 750km to a tank (56L) city driving.

[witchcraftz]

Re: Honest thoughts - 2014 Passat?

2014 Passat
Exterior Measurements
WIDTH6 ft. 0.2 in. (72.2 in.)
HEIGHT4 ft. 10.5 in. (58.5 in.)
LENGTH15 ft. 11.6 in. (191.6 in.)
GROUND CLEARANCE0 ft. 5.4 in. (5.4 in.)
FRONT TRACK5 ft. 2.1 in. (62.1 in.)
REAR TRACK5 ft. 1 in. (61 in.)
WHEEL BASE9 ft. 2.4 in. (110.4 in.)
Interior Measurements
FRONT HEAD ROOM 38.3 in.
FRONT LEG ROOM 42.4 in.
FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 56.9 in.
REAR HEAD ROOM 37.8 in.
REAR LEG ROOM 39.1 in.
REAR SHOULDER ROOM 57.0 in.

2014 Jetta
Exterior Measurements
WIDTH5 ft. 10 in. (70 in.)
HEIGHT4 ft. 9.2 in. (57.2 in.)
LENGTH15 ft. 2.2 in. (182.2 in.)
GROUND CLEARANCE0 ft. 5.5 in. (5.5 in.)
FRONT TRACK5 ft. 0.7 in. (60.7 in.)
REAR TRACK5 ft. 0.6 in. (60.6 in.)
WHEEL BASE8 ft. 8.4 in. (104.4 in.)
Interior Measurements
FRONT HEAD ROOM 38.2 in.
FRONT LEG ROOM 41.2 in.
FRONT SHOULDER ROOM 55.2 in.
REAR HEAD ROOM 37.1 in.
REAR LEG ROOM 38.1 in.
REAR SHOULDER ROOM 53.6 in.

[liquid]

Re: Honest thoughts - 2014 Passat?

Thanks for feedback so far.

I had completely dismissed the Jetta from the discussion as I assumed it would be too small. I quickly stopped by Northland VW on the way home and sat in the Jetta and was pleasantly surprised. It's fairly narrow, but the legroom is impressive. The S4 has a small backseat with 34.3" of legroom compared to the Jetta with 37.1".