2024 Volkswagen Passat R Line Looks Fantastic!

Volkswagen has decided to stop selling the Passat in the US following the 2022 model year, but it remains available in Europe. The European version, known for its advanced MQB platform, is now entering its ninth generation, making it the second most popular Volkswagen model after the Golf, but more popular than the Beetle. Since its launch in 1973, Volkswagen has sold over 30 million Passats. The latest model, the B9, will only be available as a wagon, marking the end of the sedan version. The 2024 Passat Variant, built on the updated MQB Evo platform, which it shares with the new Tiguan and the facelifted Golf Mk8, is significantly larger than its predecessor, the B8 model. It’s now 193.5 inches long, which is 5.7 inches longer than before, and 72.9 inches wide, an increase of 0.8 inches. The height remains almost the same at 59.2 inches, but the wheelbase has been extended by 1.97 inches to 111.8 inches. The design of the new Passat has been updated to align with Volkswagen’s electric ID series, especially noticeable in the ID.7 Variant, which has a slightly more futuristic look. The exterior design varies across different trim levels, including Passat, Business, Elegance, and R-Line, with options for wheels up to 19 inches, new matrix LED headlights, and dynamic LED tail lights with a light bar. Inside, the Passat has undergone a major transformation, with most physical buttons replaced by a large 12.9-inch touchscreen in the base model, and an option to upgrade to a 15-inch display. A 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster replaces traditional analog dials. Space has been optimized by relocating the gear selector to the steering column, similar to the approach taken in the ID.7, and there’s a new switch for the turn signals and wipers. The front seats can now be heated, ventilated, and come with a massaging function and 14-way electrical adjustment for added comfort. The increase in the car’s dimensions has resulted in more legroom and an increase in luggage space by 1.41 cubic feet to 24.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up. When the back seats are folded down, the storage space expands significantly. For the first time, the Passat’s engine lineup includes a mild-hybrid gasoline engine, featuring a 1.5-liter eTSI with cylinder deactivation technology and 148 horsepower. Other options include a 2.0 TSI engine with 201 horsepower in the front-wheel-drive version and a more powerful 261 horsepower version with 4Motion all-wheel drive. Diesel options are available with three power levels, and all engines are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Passat also offers plug-in hybrid “eHybrid” models, with the base version producing 201 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a more powerful variant offering 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. These hybrids come with a 1.5-liter TSI engine, a six-speed DSG, and a 19.7-kWh battery capable of providing up to 62 miles of electric range, supporting DC fast-charging for quick battery top-ups. Production has moved from Germany to Bratislava, Slovakia, where it will be assembled alongside the new Skoda Superb. Unlike the Passat, the Skoda Superb will continue to offer both liftback and wagon variants.