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.
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 back. 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 is functioning normally. And I can already decide what kind of car it is, regardless of the road, which is rattling)) 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 make a reservation 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 around 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.
All-wheel drive, manual transmission, etc.
If you do not take into account the peculiarities of automatic transmissions, the transmission is more than reliable. Minor difficulties are associated only with the anthers of the front CV joints; there are often cases when they leaked at mileages of up to 50 thousand due to loose or flown clamps. It is recommended to check this unit, and if a non-factory clamp is installed, then a thorough inspection of the condition of the CV joint itself is necessary.
All-wheel drive vehicles with a Haldex clutch to drive the rear wheels perform excellently. The latest generation clutch itself still works reliably, it is recommended to change the oil in it at 40-50 thousand kilometers, not earlier, the electrics do not fail, the pump will cover 120-180 thousand kilometers even in the absence of maintenance, with mileages above 200 the unit usually requires repair.
Again, there are no difficulties with the angular gearbox. True, this is all provided that the engine is not heavily tuned. With a 350-horsepower engine under the hood and regular “races” on the highways, all transmission elements are at risk - you can “collapse” the driveshaft, the rear gearbox, and the clutch for literally tens of thousands of kilometers.
There are no particular difficulties with manual transmissions, provided that. The clutch is rather weak even for stock 1.8 TSI and 2.0 TSI engines, not to mention diesels. The clutch life is on average about 50-60 thousand kilometers even with careful handling, and the expensive dual-mass flywheel does not last much longer, especially on diesel engines.
And if the engine is forced, then real difficulties begin. With a torque above 320 Nm, the clutch wears out literally within 10-20 thousand, and then slippage begins. The clutch from the VR 6 does not fit into this place, but fortunately, tuning comes to the rescue - you can install a custom Bryce flywheel and get what you want.
But the manual transmission itself in practice turned out to be less robust than the six-speed pre-selective DQ 250 and, even more so, than the DQ 500, so in this case, “mechanics” are not the best suited for serious tuning. With a torque of 450-470 Nm, standard manual transmissions do not last long. Well, there are no purely resource problems yet, except that the seals of the manual transmission axle shafts may leak at high mileage.
Robots DSG7
The most successful option that could be found on machines of the B 6 generation - Aisin TF 60SN - was not officially installed on the B7. If you see it in advertisements for sale, then most likely the car is not exactly a B7, but its American relative, which has a very distant relationship with the European B7.
In the photo: Volkswagen Passat (B7) "2010–14
Occasionally there are cars with an automatic transmission “swap”, fortunately the manufacturer has provided everything for this - literally “take it and put it in”, for example, with Passat CC or Skoda Octavia, where such equipment was one of the most common. It’s not a bad box, but on the Passat, with the standard cooling system, it regularly overheats and does not last very long. Already after 100-120 thousand kilometers, twitching is possible due to contamination of the valve body, dirty oil and intensive wear of the gas turbine engine locking linings, and overheating makes the automatic transmission wiring fragile. In general, this automatic transmission will cover 200-300 thousand kilometers only with good maintenance, but the chances are high, and it is relatively inexpensive to repair.
As standard, cars with engines up to and including 1.8 TSI were equipped with a seven-speed “dry” DSG transmission with the general name DQ 200. VW succeeded in trying to make an inexpensive, fast and economical automatic transmission for its cars. But all users of cars with these boxes until 2013-2014 acted as beta testers. After 2014, a set of improvements to the box finally covered the main weak points, and the reliability of its operation increased to quite acceptable for automatic transmissions of the latest generations. Now the transmission began to drive stably until the clutch set wears out normally at 120-160 thousand city mileage, without bothering with breakdowns.
Unfortunately, on cars before 2013 there were more than enough difficulties. The low lifespan of a clutch set is just the tip of the iceberg. The company constantly improved the transmission software to save resources while maintaining the dynamics of the car, so the first versions of the automatic transmission were noticeably more “vigorous” than the current ones.
Initially, the service life of clutches often did not exceed 30 thousand kilometers, and the technology for replacing them turned out to be very difficult. After the first repair, the problems multiplied - if the technology was violated, the mechanical part of the box suffered, and the clutch set itself did not last long. Now the services have become more adept at carrying out this procedure, and even unofficials change clutches with a good chance of success. But there are other problems.
The most obvious and fatal incident for the DQ 200 gearbox turned out to be a very weak differential, not designed for a torque of 250 Nm from the engine and a large gear ratio of the first stages of the automatic transmission. During intense launches, the satellite axis was literally welded to one of them or simply came out of the body. Of course, in any case, the box body was destroyed, the wheels jammed, and only the fact that this usually happened at low speed saved us from serious consequences.
In addition to the gearbox clutches, the engine flywheel also wears out. Its price is high enough to draw attention to its wear and tear.
Mechanical breakdowns are also not uncommon; before 2013, this happened often; cars driven through Moscow traffic jams were especially unlucky. Wear of gear shift forks, clutch release forks, and rod seats led to shock shifting of gears or complete failure of the gearbox. Shafts and bearings also broke during this kind of malfunction, but sometimes the shaft bearings failed on their own.
An important part of the DSG is the mechatronics unit, which contains control electronics and hydraulics. In the case of the DQ 200, the unit does not have external cooling, which makes it dependent on the temperature in the engine compartment and the electric drive of the pump. Previously, hydraulic units were not repaired, only complete replacement was practiced, but at the moment this problem has been solved.
If you decide to buy a car with DSG 7, and the gearbox fails, then you can even repair it yourself. All you need is a suitable diagnostic scanner to move the rods to the service position and a set of tools to fix the clutch. You can remove it almost in the yard, although all the systems of the new boxes are very demanding in terms of cleanliness, so I cannot recommend this style of repair.
Next, you can quite simply replace the hydraulic unit drive pump, hydraulic accumulator, system seals, filter (on the condition of which much depends) and clean or replace the set of solenoids. If the board is damaged (for example, part of the wiring burned out or contact between the electronics board and the main wiring board is lost), then few people do such repairs, but it is also possible.
Boxes from the turn of 2013 and 2014 have an order of magnitude fewer failures, especially in terms of mechatronics and mechanics, and optimized algorithms protect clutches. Those owners who bought a car in 2013 are especially lucky - their cars are covered by a five-year warranty, just like earlier, frankly unreliable transmission options. Since 2014, the warranty has been reduced to the previous 2 years, but this is quite justified.
Robots DSG 6
The six-speed automatic transmission DQ 250 looks much more interesting, which was standardly installed with 2.0 TSI, 3.6 FSI and 2.0 TDI diesel engines. Its design is very different from the “dry” box. Its clutch is made in the form of packages of “wet” clutches that operate in a common engine oil bath.
The box is designed for noticeably greater torque and actively “swaps” instead of DQ 200 during tuning. The main advantage of this box is the older structure, which means a better balance in the reliability of all its components.
Radiator
price for original
9,603 rubles
But essentially the problems are the same. The clutches do not burn, but their wear affects the contamination of the gearbox oil and the wear of the mechatronics. There is external cooling, and installing a banal crankcase protection will no longer lead to the death of the box. But the cooling is clearly insufficient, the design of the thermostat and heat exchanger allows the oil temperature to go far beyond 120 degrees, and at such temperatures the wear of the mechanics increases greatly and the electronics begin to fail. Fortunately, most problems can be solved by frequently changing the gearbox oil - this is exactly the case when the more often the better. Once every 30-40 thousand will be optimal.
The most common problem for this automatic transmission is wear of the solenoids. Due to severe contamination of the oil during operation, the abrasive literally gnaws out pieces of the aluminum board. Garbage and shavings are a common problem with such boxes. It is recommended to change the filter frequently; it can simply break if it gets very dirty. It is also worth installing an external radiator (for example, an American Passat CC fits like a stock one) and a filter.
Due to chips, seals, rubber rings and box seals suffer, so leaks and pressure leaks occur regularly due to poor maintenance. The mechanical part also suffers due to oil contamination; dirt damages bearings and gears, and at a certain level of contamination with solid particles, damage increases like an avalanche.
DSG 6 is not very easy to repair; a lot of problems arise due to unqualified intervention. Services that have mastered the repair of hydraulic four-stage and some five-stage machines may be surprised to find that the qualifications of the craftsmen and equipment are not enough even for accurate assembly and disassembly of the unit.
Both DSG “robots” provide very high performance characteristics to the car, but the number of expensive repairs due to their fault is very high, even with low mileage. And if the DQ 250 gearbox mainly requires frequent and high-quality maintenance, then the DQ 200 until 2013 simply has too many design defects. Not all of them appear immediately, many cars managed only by replacing the software of the units and one clutch replacement with runs of up to 200 thousand kilometers, but the chances of serious expenses with such an automatic transmission are very high. Especially during traffic jam operation, and even with increased temperatures in the engine compartment and maximum loads.
Such a box has a very bad time when tuning engines, because with the standard limit of 250 Nm, there is software for it and even clutch kits designed for a torque one and a half times greater. In this case, the mechanics simply “burn.”
Motors
Petrol 1.8 and 2.0
The engines of the Passat B 7 are also “the most advanced”. It has only one naturally aspirated engine, the VR 6 3.6 liter, the rest are equipped with turbines with all the attendant complications. I’ll immediately disappoint you that all the proposed motors are mechanically flawed. But the scope for tuning is simply amazing. If you read my article, then the motor from the EA888 series is used as an example, as in the Passat. 1.4 TSI engines are noticeably worse tuned, but the increase in power compared to the factory version can be up to 50%, which is very, very significant. But there are serious problems with reliability even during normal operation.
In the photo: Under the hood of the Volkswagen Passat TSI Variant (B7) "2010–14 Even with such a small age by automotive standards, there are complaints about poor tightness of intake systems, contamination of radiators and leaking cooling systems. This is worth paying attention to when purchasing any petrol Passat. Oiling the intake pipes will also tell you whether the engine is consuming oil and where the leak is occurring - through the turbine or through the ventilation system. In general, inspection of the engine compartment, even on a fresh car, should be carried out with the utmost meticulousness.
Many engines with a mileage of 120-150 thousand kilometers have already gone through a replacement of the piston group or even a replacement of the block, so there may be nuances associated with unqualified installation: damage to the wiring, violation of the laying of hoses and wiring. In addition, the owners are clearly “embarrassed” to admit the true mileage of the cars. Sometimes you can get this information when diagnosing with a scanner, using marks from various blocks where the “mileage takers” were too lazy to get into, but the condition of the engine will also tell a lot to an attentive person.
The most popular engine for the Passat B7 is the 1.8 TSI of the EA 888 family. With a power of 152-160 horsepower, it provides very good dynamics, especially in combination with DSG, and high efficiency. The two-liter 2.0 TSI engine is extremely similar in design, except that it is equipped with a completely different gearbox and is more boosted in terms of torque. But the main design nuances are common to them.
In the photo: Volkswagen Passat TSI (B7) "2010–14 Turbine 1.8 TSI (K03)
price for original
112,938 rubles
1.8 engines are mainly CDAA series, and two-liter ones are CCZB. First of all, you should pay attention to the tendency to have an oily appetite. The manufacturer struggled intensively with this, but as a result of all the replacements of the piston group, only after 2013 the option can be considered acceptable. It is not prone to coking at the slightest opportunity and has an acceptable service life.
Several different options with different thicknesses of the piston pin, piston and connecting rod on machines before 2013 have limited compatibility with each other, but all have the unpleasant property of starting to consume oil at the slightest overheating or rare oil changes. This is due to the strange design of the piston rings, insufficient oil drainage from the oil scraper ring and its weakness.
An additional factor contributing to losses is contamination of the crankcase ventilation system, leaks of gaskets and seals, a tendency to coking of the intake valves, increased wear of the intake valve guides and the low service life of their seals.
In the photo: Volkswagen Passat TSI Variant (B7) "2010–14 Another trouble that every owner will have to face is the short and unpredictable life of the timing chain and oil pump. On average, it does not exceed 120 thousand, although there are unique ones with mileages over 250 on one chain. Moreover, breaks in the pump circuit also occur, especially during winter starts. The pump itself rarely fails, but in any case, the result is fatal for the engine.
The icing on the cake is the design of the pump and thermostat in a single unit with a plastic housing. Plastic aged three years or older is prone to warping and leaking. The price of the unit is quite high, and the motor is very sensitive to coolant leaks and overheating.
Pump with thermostat 1.8/2.0 TSI
price for original
13,947 rubles
With all this, the engines of this series have a large margin of safety for the piston group, a good crankshaft, a durable block and a boost margin of one and a half to two times without intervention in the piston group, only with the replacement of turbines and the power system.
Moreover, moderate boosting does not greatly affect the service life during normal operation, at least because tuning firmware primarily reduces the operating temperature, which has a good effect on the condition of the engine. They also require the use of higher quality and viscous oil and more frequent replacement of it than prescribed by the maintenance regulations. A very significant number of cars in Russia have chip tuning, don’t be too afraid of this when buying, but in this case it’s worth taking a closer look at the condition of the automatic transmission.
Petrol 1.4
The younger brother of the “big” 1.4-liter engines is noticeably more fragile. Its piston group does not tolerate boosting well, the supercharging system has a weak point in the form of a liquid intercooler, and the timing chain drive has a very short resource and is prone to chain jumps.
The family includes four series of motors. The simplest 1.4 122 l. With. – these are CAXA motors, they are the most common. A less common option is a twin-supercharged engine with 160 hp. pp., series CTHD/CKMA. It is very rare to find variants of this engine optimized for operation on compressed gas, the CDGA series with 150 hp. With.
In the photo: Volkswagen Passat (B7) "2010–14 Oddly enough, the best option is a “gas” engine. It has a strengthened piston group that is almost not prone to coking, a more durable cylinder head material and a lower operating temperature. Twin-supercharged engines have a very complex intake system, with a compressor and turbine, and therefore high maintenance costs after the warranty expires.
Timing chain 1.8/2.0 20V
price for original
4,993 rubles
In Europe they were in demand for their combination of high power and amazing efficiency. A large sedan with such an engine on the highway has a consumption of less than 5 liters per hundred, and at low speed - even less than 4, while in the urban cycle the consumption can be less than 9 liters, which is a serious achievement for a car of this weight with a gasoline engine.
Problems with the timing chain are typical mainly for cars produced before 2012, but surprises are possible even after. In any case, the resource will not exceed 120-150 thousand, and if noise appears, it is recommended to immediately change it, without waiting for a jump. If the motor is older, then check whether the front cover of the engine has been replaced - on the new design there are protrusions that prevent the chain from jumping, a more aggressive configuration.
You also need to monitor the cleanliness of the water-oil heat exchanger (its block is inserted into the intake manifold and is contaminated by crankcase gases), the serviceability of its cooling pump, and the cleanliness of the intercooler radiator section. And even if the systems are in full working order, it is recommended to carefully monitor the operating temperature of the engine and the quality of gasoline. “Annealing” after a plug can lead to burnout of the piston, just like summer “races” on the highway at speeds close to maximum speed.
In the photo: Volkswagen Passat Alltrack (B7) "2012–14 The same consequences are caused by refueling with 92-grade gasoline, ignoring errors in fuel equipment, or failure of the servo drive for adjusting the turbine in the closed position. A little more trouble can be caused by the existing tendency for the piston group to coke at standard oil change intervals of 15 thousand kilometers. It occurs less frequently than on 1.8/2.0 engines, but it is not as painless.
Motor version 122 hp. With. It’s too weak for this car, and with the firmware it’s 150-160 hp. With. The turbine is already suffering - it can withstand a maximum of 40-50 thousand kilometers. In general, this option is noticeably less reliable than larger engines, and the reduction in fuel consumption and maintenance costs is unlikely to compensate for this disadvantage.
Petrol VR 6
The top-end 3.6 BWS engine is frankly rare. A very interesting design has a good service life overall, but there are also plenty of shortcomings. At a minimum, a timing chain with an insufficient resource, the replacement of which requires removing the motor. It is located on the flywheel side, and replacing the lower chain is basically impossible on the machine. Coking of the valves and a tendency to coking of the piston group were also noted. The dense layout, complex intake, and extremely complex cylinder head design also do not help reduce operating costs. Despite the lack of supercharging, it is hardly simpler than the 1.8 TSI.
Diesels
Injection pump 1.8 TSI
price for original
14,215 rubles
Diesel engines are mainly represented by two types of engines - 2.0 TDI with 140 hp. With. The CFFB series with pump injectors is a relatively old design, the second CBAB engine is already with Common Rail injection.
The option with pump injectors is considered unambiguously resourceful and reliable, and the disadvantages associated with high wear of camshafts and a drop in oil pressure in the cylinder head are known and solvable. But new engines with electronic injection, with the same power, are much more responsive, have lower consumption and fewer expensive parts.
Of course, due to the rare complaints about them, one gets the impression that these are the most reliable engines in the new Passat. It may well be that this is so, but operating a diesel engine in Russia is always a lottery. It depends too much on the quality of the fuel, and components such as EGR and particulate filters, when operating in traffic jams, increase the number of failures and reduce service life.
In the photo: Under the hood of Volkswagen Passat "2010–15 Is it worth taking?
For such a new car, the Passat B 7 has a lot of problems. Failures of engines and gearboxes with mileages of up to 150 thousand and expensive repairs at the same time look especially unpleasant. But other than that it's not that scary. The body is not perfect, but most cars are still holding up well. The interior has become noticeably better than its predecessor. The electrics are a little more complicated than those of most cars, but they also provide a lot of possibilities, increasing the comfort of use significantly. In addition, most repairs are carried out under warranty or as part of the manufacturer’s post-warranty service, so the owners do not bear the full burden of the costs.
If you take a Passat like this, then make sure it’s as fresh as possible.
It is the latest series of machines that are less likely to have problems - just in time for the decline of the PQ 46 platform, all the problems that followed the pair of PQ 35/PQ 46 platforms from the moment of their appearance were corrected. Both motors and gearboxes have become significantly more reliable, having gotten rid of childhood diseases. To be even more specific, I would recommend a car with a 1.8 manual transmission or a 2.0 with a well-maintained DSG 6. Don’t count on a carefree future - sooner or later the car will ask for investment, but it is quite possible that by that time it will no longer be in your hands.
In the photo: Volkswagen Passat (B7) "2013–14 
Passat B7 debuted in the fall of 2010. The changes on the outside have been significant. The body received sharper lines, new Passat B7 headlights, radiator grille and bumpers. There are significantly fewer changes inside - the interior remains almost untouched. As does the platform, which, in comparison with the previous generation, has a slightly increased wheelbase. The Volkswagen Passat B7 has acquired a revised line of engines - the German has become even more economical and environmentally friendly. Thanks to this, in 2013 it was possible to break the Guinness record - a production car with a 2.0 TDI engine ran across all US states, consuming an average of only 3.02 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km.
Story
The start of production of this car was dated September 2010, when the first model was presented at the Paris auto showe . At that time, a group of automotive artists, headed by the head of the design service of the Volkswagen company, Walter da Silva, worked hard on the appearance of the car. However, despite the fact that a lot of work was done on the exterior, it still cannot be said that radical changes were made in the seventh generation cars from the sixth. The changes affected the design of the front part of the car - the radiator grille and optics were modified here, and we also note the appearance of new body panels. The changes actually did not affect the interior, and there were no changes in the dimensions of the car - the addition of 4 mm to the length does not count here. The Volkwagen Passat B7 arrived at dealer showrooms towards the end of November 2010.
In 2011, the launch of production of these cars in China was launched. And here the generation was divided into two groups. The first version of the car, which is considered an analogue of the European one, is still produced by the Shanghai-VW joint venture and the cars are called NMS. The second version is now being produced by the FAW-VW concern. The difference between these versions and the standard German B7 is that the car body has become 10 cm longer, and this is due to the fact that the joint venture decided to increase the degree of comfort for passengers in the rear of the car.
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
- The 1.4 liter TSI (122 hp) is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission (or automatic 7 automatic transmission DSG), will provide acceleration to 100 mph in 10.6 seconds, a top speed of 200 mph, fuel consumption in mixed mode 6.3 liters In the city, fuel consumption is 8 liters.
- The petrol 1.8 liter TSI (152 hp) with 6 manual transmissions (7 DSG automatic transmissions) is capable of accelerating the car to 100 mph in 10.3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 214 mph. Fuel consumption will range from 5.4 liters on the highway to 9.7-10 liters in the city.
- The petrol 2.0 liter TSI (210 hp) with 6 DSG automatic transmission shoots to the first hundred in 7.7 seconds, acceleration will end at a maximum speed of 233 mph. The engine's appetite on the highway will be 6.1 liters, and in the city traffic 10.9-11.5 liters.
- 2.0 liter TDI BlueMotion (170 hp) with 6 DSG automatic transmissions, the diesel engine has an enviable temperament up to 100 mph in 8.8 seconds, the maximum achievable speed is 220 mph. Thanks to start-stop systems and braking energy recovery, the diesel engine will please you with modest consumption, 5.5 liters in the combined cycle, and about 6.5 liters in the city.
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.
Prices and options
Volkswagen Passat B7 has six trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline, Style, Business Edition (CL), Highline, Business Edition (HL). All configurations provide an additional 17 modifications, where the main difference is in the engine and gearbox. The range of prices is quite wide, which allows you to buy a car exactly in the configuration that meets the financial capabilities of the buyer. Various package options are also offered, which allow you to expand the basic equipment with additional necessary options for a small amount.
The basic version is equipped with the following: ABS, ESP, driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, rear airbags as an option and window curtains, assistance system 
when starting uphill. Comfort: on-board computer, air conditioning, active power steering, automatic parking system (optional) and rear view camera (optional), push-button engine start, cooled glove box, tinted windows (optional), adjustable steering wheel for height and reach. Visibility: electric mirrors, heated mirrors, heated windshield and windshield washer nozzles. Interior: heated front seats, power windows front and rear, front center armrest, third rear headrest, folding rear seat. Multimedia: audio preparation, CD audio system, AUX, 12 V socket. Metallic paintwork (optional) and alloy wheels 16, 17 (optional), steel wheels, decorative moldings. As well as central locking and immobilizer.
The maximum version complements the basic equipment: blind spot monitoring system (optional) and lane keeping system (optional), driver fatigue sensor, Comfort: climate control, tire pressure sensor, keyless entry system, cigarette lighter and ashtray. Visibility: light and rain sensors, xenon headlights, adaptive lighting system, fog lights, automatic headlight leveling, headlight washers, electric folding mirrors. Interior: leather interior, leather steering wheel and gearshift lever, multifunction steering wheel, electrically adjustable seats, ventilation and memory for the front seats as an option, black fabric headliner (optional), door sills. Multimedia: Hi-Fi audio system, Bluetooth (optional). And also, an alarm system with an intrusion sensor into the interior, alloy wheels 17.
More details about the prices and configurations of the Volkswagen Passat B7 in the table below:
| Options | Engine | price, rub. | Fuel | Drive unit | Max. speed, km/h | Consumption, (city/highway), l. |
| Trendline | 1.4 AMT (150 hp) | 1 311 000 | gas/petrol | front | 214 | 8.8 / 5.6 |
| Comfortline | 1.4 AMT (150 hp) | 1 366 000 | gas/petrol | front | 214 | 8.8 / 5.6 |
| Business Edition (CL) | 1.8 MT (152 hp) | 1 109 000 | petrol | front | 216 | 9.7 / 5.4 |
| Highline | 2.0 AMT (170 hp) | 1 373 000 | diesel | front | 223 | 6.3 / 4.6 |
| Equipment | Price, rub. |
| Trendline | |
| 1.4 MT 122 hp | 954 000 |
| 1.4 AMT 122 hp | 1 023 000 |
| 1.4 AMT 150 hp | 1 346 000 |
| Comfortline | |
| 1.8 MT 152 hp | 1 107 000 |
| 1.8 AMT 152 hp | 1 188 000 |
| 1.4 AMT 150 hp | 1 403 000 |
| Business Edition (CL) | |
| 1.8 MT 152 hp | 1 109 000 |
| 1.8 AMT 152 hp | 1 194 000 |
| Style | |
| 1.8 MT 152 hp | 1 142 000 |
| 1.8 AMT 152 hp | 1 224 000 |
| Highline | |
| 1.8 AMT 152 hp | 1 247 000 |
| 2.0 AMT 170 hp | 1 408 000 |
| 1.4 AMT 150 hp | 1 462 000 |
| 2.0 AMT 210 hp | 1 466 000 |
| Business Edition (HL) | |
| 1.8 AMT 152 hp | 1 264 000 |
| 2.0 AMT 210 hp | 1 449 000 |
| 2.0 AMT 170 hp | 1 479 000 |
Auto safety
From the point of view of design features, Passat B7 cars do not have significant differences from sixth generation cars . In particular, the body frame has not undergone any changes. And therefore, for the B7 car, the ratings did not change in comparison with its predecessor cars. Let us remind you that the sixth Passat earned the highest scores in crash tests for side and frontal collisions. Euro NCAP experts rated the level of pedestrian safety as a confident four, and such a rating is a real rarity for modern cars of a similar class to the B7.
RP engines
For cars VW Passat range of engines were designed R.P. . The most reliable and high-quality engine in the entire model range is considered to be a 1.8-liter gasoline engine with a power of 110 hp. We can say that all systems in the engine are made of very high quality, the material of the components and mechanisms has increased resistance to wear, and in general all systems operate without interruption. The concern's specialists worked hard on the tightness of the systems, and it was here that the problem of oil leakage, typical of all Volkswagen cars, disappeared. The engine is almost ideal, since it does not act up either at low speeds, or at idle, or at high speeds.
But only one RP engine turned out this good. All other engines were subject to one very well-known “disease” of power units. Many motorists are afraid that the engine will stall after a certain time. And it was on RP engines that such a misunderstanding occurred - the engine fails on Volkswagen Passat B7 cars.
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 of 1,004,000 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.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the Volkswagen Passat B7 include a large range of engines to suit all tastes. There are both petrol engines, diesel and petrol/gas engines that can run on two types of fuel. Also pleasing is the presence of good suspension combined with excellent handling. One can also note the good acceleration dynamics and low fuel consumption of TSI engines. The presence of modern robotic gearboxes and classic mechanics is a good option. And of course the design, the car looks beautiful and expensive. Excellent sound insulation. Starts well in winter.
The disadvantages include low ground clearance. Some may find the suspension a bit harsh. The DSG-6 has significantly higher oil consumption than the DSG-7.
Salon
The Passat B7's interior is spacious. It can easily accommodate five adults. The front seats are very comfortable. Finding a comfortable driving position is very easy, thanks to the large range of different adjustments. The trunk is impressive in size, especially in the estate, which can accommodate up to 1,731 liters of cargo if required.
It should be noted that the Volkswagen Passat B7 slightly surpassed its predecessor in terms of workmanship. The interior plastic of the sixth generation VW Passat was of good quality, 
but after a few years it began to creak, and the varnish peeled off the leather steering wheel. The same thing happened with the chrome on the gear selector lever. The Passat B7 does things a little better. Cars with mileage over 150,000 km may look good, but the interior is not without signs of wear. After a while, plastic also begins to make extraneous sounds, which is the result of an almost identical design. In this sense, the legendary quality of the VW Passat is a little lacking.
The Passat B7's interior is filled with all kinds of storage compartments: in the armrest of the rear sofa, in the door niches and in the pockets on the backs of the seats. In front you will find a large glove compartment, a small drawer between the gear lever and the armrest, closed by a retractable curtain, and a spacious box between the seats. However, the practical compartment above the main display, familiar to owners of the sixth Passat, has disappeared.
Transmission
The engine was paired with a 6-speed manual transmission and a 6- or 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. If a manual transmission is considered reliable, and drivers praise it for its good gear selection, then the DSG can cause some trouble. The automated box works comfortably, but its complex design increases the risk of costly repairs. Especially when the owner does not worry about changing the oil regularly. Both mechanical elements and the switching control unit fail. A DSG repair costs about $1,000.
Interesting facts about Volkswagen Passat B7 cars
At the end of October 2011, at a car show in Tokyo, a new Volkswagen car model was presented, which was built on the basis of the Passat B7 - Volkswagen Passat Alltrack . This model was intended to fill the space between Volkswagen crossovers and station wagons of the same brand. If we compare this car with an ordinary simple Passat, it becomes clear that its ground clearance is much higher - by 3 cm, the approach angle has also increased to 16 degrees, and the departure angle has become large - 13.6. This car is not only equipped with all-wheel drive, but is also equipped with an electronic differential lock. In addition to all this, the car also received a hill descent assistance system. In other words, this version of the Passat has become a symbiosis of the Volvo XC70 and Subaru Outback, thus turning into a rather serious station wagon that has good off-road potential.
Another interesting fact about the Passat B7 is the following. In 1012, an American couple managed to set a record for efficiency with their diesel version of the B7. The car, which had a 140-horsepower engine under the hood, managed to cover 2601 km on only 73 liters (!) of fuel . The married couple managed to bring the travel conditions as close as possible to real ones - for this, the car was in continuous motion 14 hours a day, and was also additionally weighted with 55 kg of luggage. This record is now officially listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
The generation of Passat B7 cars is notable for the fact that it is equipped with an innovative system for opening the luggage compartment, called the “kick in the ass” . The sensor that opens the door is located under the bumper, and to open the trunk, the driver needs to raise his foot as if he wants to kick the car. And in order to insure the car against openings that may occur accidentally, the system is configured in such a way that it can only work if the driver has the ignition key in his pocket.
Choosing a used Volkswagen Passat B7 (budget 700-800tr)
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
- The 1.4 liter TSI (122 hp) is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission (or automatic 7 automatic transmission DSG), will provide acceleration to 100 mph in 10.6 seconds, a top speed of 200 mph, fuel consumption in mixed mode 6.3 liters In the city, fuel consumption is 8 liters.
- The petrol 1.8 liter TSI (152 hp) with 6 manual transmissions (7 DSG automatic transmissions) is capable of accelerating the car to 100 mph in 10.3 seconds and reaching a top speed of 214 mph. Fuel consumption will range from 5.4 liters on the highway to 9.7-10 liters in the city.
- The petrol 2.0 liter TSI (210 hp) with 6 DSG automatic transmission shoots to the first hundred in 7.7 seconds, acceleration will end at a maximum speed of 233 mph. The engine's appetite on the highway will be 6.1 liters, and in the city traffic 10.9-11.5 liters.
- 2.0 liter TDI BlueMotion (170 hp) with 6 DSG automatic transmissions, the diesel engine has an enviable temperament up to 100 mph in 8.8 seconds, the maximum achievable speed is 220 mph. Thanks to start-stop systems and braking energy recovery, the diesel engine will please you with modest consumption, 5.5 liters in the combined cycle, and about 6.5 liters in the city.
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.
Photo gallery:
