Description

2013 Volkswagen Passat Overview Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat a Good Used Car? A used 2013 VW Passat isnt a great midsize car. While it offers airy seating space and refined handling, the Passat cant match the reliability of top-rated competitors like the Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata. The Passat also has a sluggish infotainment system that may ward shoppers away from the better-equipped trims. Its also worth noting that Passat TDI models are affected by VWs diesel emissions scandal and will require modifications to meet EPA standards. Shoppers looking for used TDI models should be cautious, since these updates may alter performance or fuel economy. Modifications are available for automatic-equipped models, but no fixes were available as of this writing for manual transmission models. Used 2013 Volkswagen Passat Performance and Interior The Passat offers three engine options. The Passat 2.5L has a five-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower. A five-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, and a six-speed automatic is available. The engine provides adequate pep around town and decent passing power. Fuel economy is average by class standards, at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The Passat TDI has a turbodiesel four-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower, and the Passat 3.6L has a V6 with 280 horsepower. Both feel more refined and provide zippier acceleration, but the V6 sinks fuel economy to just 20-28 mpg city-highway. On the other hand, the diesel gets an excellent 30-40 mpg. The TDI is available with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed dual-clutch automatic. V6-powered Passats only come with the automatic. This dual-clutch transmission changes gear smoothly, but it can occasionally hesitate in stop-and-go driving. The Passat strikes a great balance between ride comfort and handling. Its suspension glides over bumps and dips comfortably, while also keeping the sedan stable around tight turns. The steering responds briskly to inputs as well.