2016 Volkswagen Passat Sportscombi 2.0 TDI from Sweden

Summary:

Great car. A lot of luxury for a VW

Faults:

You need to pay attention to the particulate filter, as it can become clogged.

Water leaks in the panoramic roof.

Intermittent freezing of the MIB2 multimedia system and faults in the adaptive LED headlight modules or driver assistance sensors.

The silicate bag in the coolant reservoir burst, releasing material and clogging the heater core and the cooling system. I had to replace it, and it certainly wasn't cheap.

General Comments:

The Passat Sportscombi is a spacious, efficient family vehicle that is very comfortable for long trips, which is what it is designed for, in my opinion.

A major point in the car's favor is its enormous interior space, larger than that of most station wagons seen on the road. It features an elongated, elegant silhouette that prioritizes versatility over the traditional sedan. Its cargo capacity exceeds 600 liters, making it ideal for a large amount of luggage or large families.

In terms of spaciousness, the wheelbase provides outstanding legroom in the rear seats, everything is in perfect harmony. The interior is more than just luxurious, featuring quality levels typical of a premium car, surpassing what one would expect from a Volkswagen.

Special mention goes to the TDI engine, which moves the vehicle with ease and offers a constant reserve of power. On the open road and highway, it stands out for its impressive range, with fuel consumption figures hovering between 5 and 6.5 liters per 100 km, depending on driving conditions. I never saw consumption reach 7 liters on the highway, even though I almost always drive slightly above 140 km/h. The engine is remarkably quiet for a diesel (and not a particularly modern one, at that); in this regard, the cabin's sound insulation significantly reduces diesel engine noise at cruising speeds.

Ride comfort is excellent; it delivers a firm yet very composed ride, prioritizing highway comfort. It also incorporates active safety aids, emergency braking, and advanced multimedia compatibility, features that make this 2016 model feel like a vehicle built just yesterday.

A great option for those who can't buy a new car; when well-maintained, this Passat doesn't even look like it's 10 years old. I knew the Passat was a great car, but I couldn't confirm it for myself until I owned this one. Great job, Volkswagen!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2026

8th Oct 2026, 21:00

Good cars; I used a Passat B8 as a taxi a while ago. It took high mileage well but was far from perfect - I had all the same faults you had listed in your review. Not the end of the world and easy enough to fix, but really annoying. Worst for me was the bonnet release cable snapping and I couldn't get the bonnet open. A real pain as I needed to top up with screen wash; thankfully my mechanic wasn't busy and had it fixed within the day, easy and cheap enough. Very common annoying fault on these cars. You have to take the wheel arch liner out to access the broken cable.

2016 Volkswagen Passat SE Business 1.6 TDi BlueMotion Tech from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Love it, excellent car!

Faults:

Nothing! Well the dash is a bit rattly at speed on rough roads, but that's about it!

I had the cam-belt done recently, a little expense but that is part of service/preventative maintenance at this age and mileage on any car.

General Comments:

What a car, grey 2016 VW Passat SE Business edition saloon, lovely alloy wheels, window tints and more! Cannot believe this car is a decade old!

Very comfortable and smart interior with all the mod cons. Key-less start, front radar with assist and traffic monitoring, this car feels as good as new. I love driving it and it is reliable and cheap to run.

I get a genuine 55 - 60 mpg. The power from the 1.6 TDi is decent as well, despite people saying in other reviews that the 2.0 TDi is much better. Well I test drove one of the bigger diesels and honestly could not find any difference, so settled for the 1.6 diesel for the sake of better economy.

Massive boot can get loads in. Rear passengers also have limousine like comfort!

Infotainment system touch screen is a little fiddly but you get used to it, and once you have all your favorite settings, you need not touch it again. Thankfully the climate control has analogue switches.

Difficult to say anymore. If you are looking for a mid range saloon that can do it all, look no further than a VW Passat! A thousand times better than my old Ford Mondeo, the Passat is easily the best in this class.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th April, 2026