The “Seventh Passat” was put on public display in the fall of 2010 at the international auto show in Paris, and it reached the Russian market in May 2011. In fact, the car is the “fruit” of a deep modernization of the 6th generation, but, according to tradition, it was given another index - “B7”.
At the end of 2014, the eighth generation car was released, which is already being sold on the European market, but it will arrive in Russia only in the summer of 2015, which is why we are still selling the “be-seventh”.
The exterior of the 7th generation Volkswagen Passat sedan is made in a strict and laconic style, fully consistent with modern trends. If the predecessor had “wardrobe” items typical of youth, then the car in this body has straighter lines with rectangular lighting equipment. The “seventh Passat” looks stylish and respectable, its appearance is able to emphasize the status of the owner, while its silhouette is not devoid of swiftness.
The German three-volume car is a typical representative of the D-class in terms of overall dimensions: 4769 mm in length, 1470 mm in height and 1820 mm in width. Of the total length, 2712 mm are allocated to the wheelbase, and the vehicle’s ground clearance is 155 mm.
The “seventh” VW Passat has at its disposal a magnificent interior, characterized by comfort, high ergonomics, thoughtfulness in detail and excellent finishing materials. The sedan's interior can be described in a few words: intuitive and conservative. Everything is done in a simple style - an informative dashboard with clear digitization and a color display of the on-board computer, and a three-spoke steering wheel of optimal size. A neat console in the center is topped with an analog clock, an entertainment system control unit (radio or multimedia complex with a color screen) and well-designed climate control - nothing superfluous, everything is as functional as possible.
Pleasant and soft plastics, real aluminum inserts, leather trim on the steering wheel and seats - all this creates a high-quality and cozy interior decoration. The front seats of the seventh generation Volkswagen Passat look simple and flat, but are endowed with an optimal anatomical profile and the required support on the sides. The “gallery” in terms of space is friendly for three passengers, but the transmission tunnel can cause discomfort to the legs of the central passenger.
For daily needs, the Passat B7 offers a well-designed 565-liter luggage compartment with great depth and a wide opening. The transportation of a large amount of luggage can be arranged by folding the back of the rear sofa, as a result of which the volume increases to 1090 liters.
Specifications. For the Russian market, the 7th generation Passat is equipped with three gasoline engines that meet Euro-5 environmental standards, each of which is equipped with a turbocharging system and direct fuel supply to the combustion chamber.
The basic version is a 1.4-liter 122-horsepower engine, generating 200 Nm of torque. Intermediate versions of the sedan are equipped with a 1.8-liter unit, the output of which is 152 forces and 250 Nm of thrust.
The “top” cars use a high-performance 2.0-liter engine, producing a herd of 210 “mares” and 280 Nm of torque.
A two-liter turbodiesel unit is also available for the “seventh” Volkswagen Passat, maximizing 170 horsepower and 350 Nm of thrust.
In addition to traditional engines, the sedan is also equipped with a 1.4-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 150 “horses” and 220 Nm, running on gasoline or liquefied natural gas.
For the “top” petrol and diesel variants, a 6-speed DSG “robot” is allocated, the rest – a 6-speed “mechanical” or 7-speed DSG, front-wheel drive in all cases. Depending on the version, the Passat reaches 100 km/h after 7.6-10.3 seconds, the limit of capabilities is fixed at 203-236 km/h, and the “eating” of fuel is 6.3-7.7 liters (for a diesel engine - 5.3 liters).
The Volkswagen Passat B7 is based on the PQ46 architecture with a transverse engine. The car's chassis is completely independent - spring with McPherson struts at the front and multi-link at the rear. An electromechanical power steering is integrated into the steering mechanism, and deceleration is provided by disc brakes on four wheels.
Options and prices. At the beginning of 2015 in Russia, the three-volume Passat of the 7th generation was sold in three trim levels (Trendline, Comfortline and Highline) at a price of 1,118,000 rubles.
The simplest version of the car is equipped with ABS and EBD systems, front and side airbags, dual-zone climate control, hill start assist technology, full power accessories, standard music, 17-inch wheels and other equipment. The most “advanced” option will cost a minimum of 1,439,000 rubles.
A representative of the automotive business class, the Volkswagen Passat B7 debuted on the Russian market in May 2011. Do our readers know that the Passat is the most recognizable and popular car from Volkswagen AG in Russia? Yes, and this is a fact, the Passat over many years of production (the 1st generation of the model debuted back in 1973) has earned a reputation as a super reliable car. The first six generations of the model sold more than 15 million copies around the world. Look around, there are a lot of 3rd and 4th generation Passats driving along the city streets and roads of our country, and these cars are twenty or more years old. Will the new generation of the model be able to surpass the Volkswagen Passat B5 in popularity and reliability? In our review, we will try to find out whether the 2012-2013 Volkswagen Passat B7 was able to inherit the reliability and charisma of its ancestors.
Let's evaluate the exterior and interior of the car together, consider the body options (sedan and station wagon Passat Variant), look at the technical characteristics (suspension, engine, gearbox), and look at the possibility of choosing colors, tires and rims. Let's arrange a short test drive, get acquainted with the prices and configurations of the Volkswagen Passat B7 for 2013. We will devote a separate review to the off-road version of the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack. Traditionally, we will be helped by reviews from owners and their analysis, photos and video materials.
Let’s immediately focus on the two body types of the participant in our review and overall dimensions.
The 7th generation Passat is available in four-door sedan and five-door station wagon body styles. External dimensions sedan (station wagon) are: 4769 mm (4771 mm) in length, 1820 mm (with mirrors 2062 mm) in width, 1472 mm (1516 mm) in height, 2712 mm wheelbase, ground clearance ( clearance) for Russian versions of cars increased to 165 mm.
The appearance of the 2012-2013 Volkswagen Passat B 7 is strict and laconic in German. The front part of the car has large headlights; between them there is a narrow slot in the radiator grille with four chrome bars. A neat front bumper with an additional air duct and a characteristic aerodynamic lip along the lower edge, rectangular foglights. The sloping hood is marked with two side ribs, forming small ledges turning into sculptures of the wheel arches. When viewed from the side, we enjoy the regularity and calmness of the lines with soft transitions of smooth stampings. It is difficult to say which of the bodies in profile looks more harmonious - a sedan or a station wagon; here the preferences of the potential owner will be a priority. In our opinion, both executions look complete and laconic.
The rear of the sedan has large horizontal lighting elements, a neat bumper and a compact trunk lid. The Volkswagen Passat B7 station wagon traditionally has a large fifth door, the lower edge goes deep into the bumper profile, and lighting lamps that are slightly smaller than those of the sedan.
The design of the 7th Passat absorbed elements of the appearance of previous generations of the model, but with an eye to modern trends in global automotive fashion. An important fact for car enthusiasts in Russia is the corrosion-resistant “German” body, made of 74% high-quality steel with double-sided zinc coating, anti-gravel protection for the bottom and boxes, and protection for the engine compartment.
When ordering a car, you can choose the option you like colors enamels from a large palette of available options: basic Candy (white) and Urano (Grey), optional Tornado (red), Iron (gray), Light-Brown (light brown), Night Blue (blue), Reflex (silver), Island (metallic gray), Deep (black pearl), Black Oak (dark brown).
Volkswagen Passat B 7 is equipped with Trendline in the initial configuration tires 205/ 55 R16 on steel disks Size 16, for the Comfortline version tires 215/55 R16 and alloy wheels of 16 radius, and the rich Highline equipment is equipped with advanced self-sealing tires 235/45 R17 on light alloy wheels R17. You can also install larger wheels 215/45 R18 and 225/40 R18, and the choice of wheels is simply huge.
The interior of the Passat B 7 looks expensive, regardless of whether you are in the basic Trendline configuration with fabric upholstery of the seats (mechanical adjustment, heating, lift) or sitting in a leather chair with ventilation and electric drive in the packed Highline version. The first row seats look simple and flat, have dense padding, a correct anatomical profile and adequate lateral support. They are also very comfortable and convenient for long trips. The steering wheel is comfortable and pleasant to the touch, adjustable in depth and height, the instrument panel has large radii of the speedometer and tachometer, and there is a multifunctional screen between them. The front fascia and center console are conservative, with high-end versions featuring solid wood inserts on the dashboard and all versions featuring a dial clock on top of the console. The ergonomics of the controls, the information content of the instruments, the quality of materials and the level of assembly of the interior are exemplary.
In the second row there is enough space for three adult passengers, but with a caveat. Those sitting in the center will be disturbed by the high transmission tunnel and ventilation deflectors, which protrude strongly into the rear of the cabin. But two people are offered plenty of space in all directions. The trunk of the sedan when traveling holds 565 liters; by folding down the separate backrests of the rear seats, we get a flat floor and almost double the capacity. The trunk of the Volkswagen Passat b7 station wagon accommodates from 603 liters with five passengers on board to 1731 liters with the second row seats folded.
As we said above, the Volkswagen Passat B 7 sedan and Passat Variant B7 station wagon are offered in three trim levels: modest Trendline, harmonious Comfortline and sophisticated Highline. The Slavic mentality forces them to buy only the most luxurious and expensive things, which is why Russian car owners, when choosing their Passat, give preference to the “packaged” versions of the car. The usual attributes of a modern car will be available: climate control, full power accessories (mirrors, heated front seats, power windows), electric handbrake, heated windshield, alarm and central locking. The bulk of the comfort, entertainment and electronic assistant functions are still offered as options: leather upholstery, advanced multimedia system with color screen (navigator, CD MP3 AUX USB 8 speakers), heated rear seats, cruise control, LED rear lights, Park system Pilot with a rear view camera, a system capable of recognizing driver fatigue, bi-xenon headlights, opening the trunk with a wave of your foot under the bumper, and other pleasant little things.
Specifications Volkswagen Passat B7 2012-2013: in Russia, the new 7th generation Passat is offered with four gasoline engines, plus one turbodiesel (on the Passat 7, a turbine is present in all engines).
Petrol
Reviews from owners of the Volkswagen Passat B7 confirm the moderate appetite for the new Volkswagen TSI and TDI BlueMotion engines. We immediately warn potential buyers that engines are prone to increased oil loss - up to 0.5 per 1000 km. Problems with the DSG gearbox are also common - rapid wear of the clutch discs, and malfunctions associated with shock absorbers; they can start knocking after 30 thousand kilometers, and over time the plastic in the cabin creaks. In our opinion, the car has not become worse with the change of generations; it’s just that the high cost of the car, multiplied by the more demanding attitude of car enthusiasts to quality and maintenance, ultimately results in inflated expectations of the owners. The slightest knock in the suspension or creaking in the cabin is perceived with what is called “hostility.”
The suspension is completely independent, MacPherson struts at the front, four-link rear, arms and subframes made of aluminum. The electromechanical power steering is capable of changing characteristics depending on the speed of movement, disc brakes with ABS, ESP, EDS, ASR, MSR. As an option, you can order (XDS) an electronic cross-axle differential lock (standard equipment for the Highline version), but, alas, it is not available with the youngest 1.4 liter engine.
Test Drive Volkswagen Passat B7 2012-2013: driving the 7th version is a pleasure, the suspension is tuned to the border of comfort and handling. The chassis and steering, on the one hand, allow you not to notice even large potholes, and on the other hand, you can take turns with filigree precision. True pleasure comes from operating a car on a highway with high-quality road surface; like a long-distance express train, it is ready to “devour” hundreds of kilometers of highway.
What is the price: the price of a 2013 Volkswagen Passat B7 sedan in Russia for sale in car dealerships starts at 932,000 rubles. You can buy a new Passat Variant B7 2013 at a price starting from 1,004.00 rubles.
Since the Volkswagen Passat 7 version is a high-tech car, it is better to entrust issues such as purchase, diagnostics, tuning and repair to an official dealer, who will provide further service for the car. It is cheaper and easier to buy covers, mats and other accessories for the Passat B7, as well as spare parts for repairs and tuning, either at specialized retail outlets or in online stores.
It's time to change the car, because... on the Octavia, the mileage exceeded 100 t.km., although no problems were brewing, because I look after the car very closely - I just wanted an update. The choice was between Passat B7 and Audi A4. Leaned towards the Passat. Previously, I owned a Passat B6 from 2008 to 2011, bought it new and, in principle, was happy with the car.
So, Passat B7 1.8 DSG Highline 12. mileage 45 t.km - good equipment (leather interior + Alcantara, aluminum inserts + xenon + LED lights at the rear, 17" wheels (Assembled in Germany)).
Looking ahead, I will say that I sold the car after a month of ownership. Well, let's talk about everything in order.
Appearance/body
In my opinion, the car is very beautiful, the shape of the body has been corrected compared to the B6, as if it had been cut and the car began to look more interesting from all angles. Cool lighting technology both front and rear. Unfortunately, paintwork here also does not resist chips well - and there are a lot of them. The biggest hit was two pockets of under-film corrosion on the struts!!! windshield. This is to talk about the German assembly.
Salon-Ergonomics
I really like the interior, nice materials, cool seats - very worthy. The seats are very very comfortable, everything is at hand, overall 10 points.
Dynamics, engine, DSG
The dynamics are quite decent, always sufficient both in the city and on the highway, but still weaker than the Octavia, despite the same engines and gearboxes.
The DSG works quite adequately, but there is one annoying feature - the DSG rattles when driving over uneven surfaces, as if you were riding on a pan with bolts (this did not happen on the Skoda))). Over time, it appears in many people; dealers do not recognize it as a malfunction, because... The gearbox functions normally. And I can no longer look at the road to decide what kind of car is driving with a bang)) not a very pleasant feature of a not-so-cheap car.
Suspension and sound insulation
This is where the biggest problem with this car lies. Let me tell you right away that the suspension on my car is fully functional.
I'll start with sound insulation - it simply doesn't exist.... How? How can a car that they position almost as a business class (although it’s funny to position a car on a golf platform like that) have such crappy sound insulation? at a speed of 20-30 km/h you can clearly hear the noise of the wheels, at a speed of 120-160 there is such a hum that your ears then buzz after 3 hours of driving (Please note that good Conti Sport Contact 5 tires are installed). When driving through puddles, you can hear water gushing along the bottom.
In general, we can continue for a long time. Let me tell you briefly - there is no sound insulation there. Just for fun, I dismantled the back door; the role of sound insulation there is played by some pair of flaps 2-3 millimeters thick. So the result is natural. And after driving the Golf 6, I was completely shocked, the noise there is much better than in the Passat.
Let's move on to the suspension. I don’t know who is to blame - the engineers or the notorious Bad Roads Package, but the suspension is not hard, but cruel)). This is just terrible, gentlemen. You drive over uneven surfaces and hear booms and jump like a dummy, i.e. comfort is completely absent.
I sold the car after a month of ownership. It seems that in comparison the comfort has only become worse, although even there it is not ideal.
The summary is as follows: this machine is for use only on good roads without uneven and rough asphalt))). The car is very good inside and out, but not on the move((.
Next car is Audi A4.
A little about choice. In fact, after the Honda, I wanted a crossover that was high, all-wheel drive, a powerful engine, no less bells and whistles than in the Accord, with a budget of up to 1.4-1.5 million and not our build!!! It's probably surprising, but I haven't found a suitable candidate for myself. It’s expensive - Honda Crosstour, Toyota Higlander, for example, and it’s empty for the money. They collect them from us - Nissan Murano, FV Tiguan. The engines are rather weak - RAV 4, Grand Vitara. The equipment is a bit small - the Outlander XL, even at maximum speed with a 3 liter engine, does not have basic things. That is not in our county Of. dealer, and I'm lazy. Probably got too greedy, you bastard. Don't consider me a racist, but I didn't consider Koreans on principle. I would take a Honda CRV, but in a year it will be updated and the toad will crush driving a new, but morally outdated car. By the end, my Honda had already been deregistered, and I had to decide quickly. In the end, the Passat won, which I’m quite happy about.
Now about the FV Passat itself. I took it because I liked the quality of materials, workmanship, a sufficient number of options, the price was lower than I expected, and it was available. The manager assured that the assembly was German, I believed it, but I immediately checked by checking the wine - it was indeed German. I had never owned or considered a Passat before. But as soon as I sat inside, I immediately felt that the car was mine. The feeling of good quality, solidity, a certain gloss in the finish - something that I lacked in other contenders. Externally, the Accord is more stylish and sporty, but the Passat is more important and solid. The equipment is largely the same as the Accord, I’ll list what the Honda doesn’t have. Swiveling bi-xin headlights with LED daytime running lights (beautiful), double fog lights that light up and shine to the side when taxiing at low speed (useful). A system without key access to the interior and trunk and starting the engine with a button (convenient). Curtains on the rear doors and an electric sunshade on the rear window (cool). Heated rear seats (relevant). Electric handbrake (don't press your finger) and a recoil system. Tire pressure sensors (visually). I won’t list the large number of small bells and whistles, which together give a feeling of greater sophistication and high cost. I really liked the combined finishing of the seats – suede with “leather”. Suede does not burn so much in the heat and does not become a stake in cold weather. And the seats themselves in the Accord are more comfortable for me! Either Foltz’s seats are a bit short, or my legs are long, but I didn’t immediately find a comfortable driving position. The Passat is definitely higher than the Accord. And the ground clearance is greater (165mm versus 145mm) and the seating position is higher. Moreover, the space above your head, with the seats raised to the maximum, is also a couple of cm more. Where I drove with great caution on the Honda, I drove calmly and faster on the Passat. We give Passata a fat one for this +. The interior of the FV is narrower, a portable DVD does not fit between the seats on the armrest, and there is significantly more legroom for rear passengers. This makes it more comfortable to sit in the rear seats. By the way, heated front and rear seats on the Passat are a functional thing, since they warm the seats even without a passenger. In the Honda, the skin didn't warm up well until someone's butt created pressure. The trunk in the Accord is also quite large, but in the Passat it is better equipped. There are side niches with a partition. There are 4 hooks for packages.
Now about more important things. I liked the turbo engine of the Passat more than the Honda one. For the city it seems preferable to me. Already from low revs you can feel a vigorous pickup. And since you don’t have to twist it too much, there’s less noise from it. Plus the sound insulation is much better. As a result, in city mode the Passat’s cabin is noticeably quieter. According to the passport, the Passat is faster than the Accord (8.5 s versus 9.7 s), but in real life it’s the same. But the Honda steers a little more sportily, or perhaps harder. But the Passat is softer and, accordingly, more comfortable, although it handles no worse. Consumption during the running-in period in the city was 10-11 liters. On the highway up to 120 km/h - about 8. In general, I consider these indicators to be very subjective and depend on driving style, road conditions and the quality of gasoline. Now, after 4 thousand. km began to fade, + gasoline was unimportant - consumption in the city became 11-12 liters. I refueled with good gasoline - no more than 11 liters. Mostly our gasoline is crap!!! I read on the Internet about the oil consumption of these engines. I confirm, but I didn’t think it was so much, I added 0.5 liters per 3 thousand km. The instruction manual says that even 1 liter per 2 thousand km. - this is normal. Honda only after 70 thousand km. I started eating butter. I can also add about dynamics that at speeds under 200 km or critical speeds, the Passat is already turning sour, and the Honda, on the contrary, is catching up. By the way, I read that some Passats have an offensive speed limit of around 175 km/h. I checked, sighed calmly - 190-200, normal flight! It holds the road excellently at different speeds, no worse than the Honda. The 7-speed DSG gearbox works just great. I think this is her merit in the good dynamics of a not so powerful car. But it is not possible to brake the engine with its help. Such a thing as auto hold is a controversial thing. On the one hand, you can leave the brake pedal at traffic lights, but on the other hand, why should you leave it? But it doesn’t hold up well on steep slopes. And if you use it on level ground, then the start of movement occurs with a slight jerk. And no one rolled back anywhere on the Honda, only on steep slopes.
Now a little about some of the jambs. I don't like the visibility. Very wide B pillars + right headrest in the line of sight make it very difficult to back out of a row of standing cars. The front pillars also try to hide someone. The Honda didn't have these problems. The external mirrors are triangular in shape and smaller than Honda's. The gas pedal is much lower than the brake pedal (closer to the floor), which creates inconvenience when moving the foot from the gas to the brake. There is no changer and USB, but there is an AUX input. True, these are already features of the configuration. There seem to be no more jambs.
In a nutshell, we can summarize the following: The Passat is taller, more comfortable, and faster than the Honda. More space for rear passengers. In general, I'm happy with the car. It’s too early to talk about reliability, and what’s the guarantee? If anyone is fundamentally interested in what will happen to the car at 100 thousand km. – wait a couple of years, I’ll write back! Thanks to everyone who finished reading, and good luck on the roads.
On the Russian market, the station wagon was initially offered in three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline. Since 2013, a new top-end Style trim has been added. In the basic equipment of the Trendline, the list of equipment is quite rich and, among other things, includes a leather-trimmed gearshift knob (for the version with DSG), air conditioning, an audio system with 8 speakers, a heated windshield, electric drive and heated rear-view mirrors, heated front seats , quartz clock in the dashboard, electric windows front and rear, central locking with remote control. The Comfortline package includes 16" alloy wheels, a 3-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel, climate control, electric folding side mirrors, Iridium printed interior panels, a driver's seat with electrically adjustable lumbar support and backrest angle, an anti-theft system with an autonomous siren, volume sensors, towing protection and comfortable closing. The Highline package offers 17" alloy wheels, aluminum finish, combined seat upholstery (leather + Alcantra), fog lights. The Style version is distinguished by the R-Line design package (bumpers, rear spoiler, skirts), bi-xenon headlights, dynamic cornering lights, LED taillights, “full” parking sensors, a rear view camera, leather seat trim and a keyless entry system.
The Volkswagen Passat line of power units includes several engines ranging from 1.4 to 2 liters. The base 1.4 TSI engine develops 122 hp thanks to turbocharging. and a maximum torque of 200 Nm in the range from 1500 to 4000 rpm. This engine is economical - fuel consumption is only 6.3 liters per 100 km with a manual transmission and 6.4 liters with a 6-speed DSG gearbox. Volkswagen Passat with a 1.8 TSI engine develops power of 152 hp. at 5000 rpm, maximum torque 250 Nm at 1500-4200 rpm. Fuel consumption is 7-7.1 liters per “hundred”, depending on the type of transmission. The most powerful modification is with a 2.0 TSI engine and a DSG gearbox, its maximum power is 210 hp. (5300 - 6200 rpm), maximum torque 280 Nm (1700-5200 rpm). Acceleration to 100 km/h will take 7.6 seconds. However, fuel consumption cannot be called high - 7.7 liters per 100 km. In addition to gasoline engines, a 2.0 TDI diesel engine is also offered, also in combination with an automatic transmission. Its characteristics are power 170 hp, torque 350 Nm, consumption 5.3 l/100 km.
The Volkswagen Passat B7 inherited from its predecessor almost the same dimensions (except for the increase in length due to new bumpers) and chassis, including a fully independent suspension (McPherson strut at the front and multi-link at the rear). Volkswagen Passat front brakes are ventilated discs. The rear ones are disc. The electronic parking brake is equipped with an "Auto-Hold" function that automatically holds the vehicle in place with the main braking system and parking brake, and then automatically releases the brake when starting. The station wagon has front-wheel drive, but the model range also includes an all-wheel drive modification - the Alltrack station wagon. It is distinguished by modified suspension settings, providing an additional 30 mm of ground clearance. The 4Motion all-wheel drive system instantly transfers torque from one axle to another thanks to electronic control and an electro-hydraulic clutch.
A serious attitude towards safety is guaranteed by the fact that the car is equipped with a full set of airbags (front, side, curtain airbags), ISOFIX mounts, seat belts with tensioners, anti-lock braking system (ABS), brake auxiliary system (BAS) and electronic stability control system (ESP) coupled with traction control system (TCS). For more expensive trim levels, the following are provided: the “auto light” function, dynamic cornering lighting, tire pressure monitoring, puncture-resistant tires, driver fatigue detection system,
The popularity of the Volkswagen Passat for many generations has been supported by a balanced set of characteristics and the generally high reliability of the model. The seventh generation has become even better in this regard, essentially offering the buyer a more modern and safer version of an already time-tested unit base. There is a choice between a sedan and a station wagon. Among the latter, someone will probably be attracted to the all-wheel drive Alltrack - a modest and not too stand-out from the crowd, but very interesting in its capabilities, the off-road version of the Passat.
