2002 Volkswagen Passat V5 from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Annoying rattle from the passenger door release handle (when you push it in it stops).

Rear seat needed a new release mechanism.

Massive amount of break dust from the front brakes - makes for constantly dirty alloys (and they look so cool when they are clean).

Squeaking front brakes. Fixed by the dealer.

I've had the car just over 3 months and love it. Aside from the small faults above (2 trips to the dealer, total time 1 hour), the Passat is a class act.

Driving comfort is superb. Quality build and fittings. Great stereo (factory fitted) and climate air systems. Far more room than the Audi A4 in the back. Cavernous boot (trunk).

Good on gas (helps being a V5). Great grunt on passing other vehicles.

I own a V5 Passat (auto, admittedly) and my main criticism - shared by others - is that it lacks grunt. Overtaking is sometimes plain too dangerous to be attempted. Maybe the new Passat is better, especially the V6. Agree on superb build quality and everything else, but my, is it slow...

Hey there.

I'm a Dane who is about to purchase a 2001 Passat V5 170hp with 60000km mileage. Is there anything I have to be aware of?

The car is running a bit unstable in the low rpm's.

Am I to worry?

Jan.

Hi.

For a passat 2002 V5, what is the HP for it, is it 150HP or 170HP, and is the 1.8T better?

Thank you.

Ref: the 1.8T vs V5; depends what you want from the car.

I have owned 2 1.8T sports and 2 days ago test drove a V5. The V5 lacks the "sport" lowered and firmer suspension so is a softer more comfy ride. Performance; there did not seem to be a lot in it; the V5 seems to pull better from low down off the mark and reaches 30 extremely easily (good for town) but when floored needs to get above 3500rpm when it does begin to pull like a train. The 1.8T gives more broad-spread acceleration and therefore feels more responsive mid band. In a straight drag I think the V5 would be faster 0-35 or so; 1.8T is faster 35-70; then the V5 might have the edge above that.

That said, the V5 has half leather interior, seems to have slightly better build quality and is quieter, being more of a cruising car as opposed to the sport which makes you want to explore the speed more.

Finally MPG - I got about 38-40mpg on a run out of my 1.8T; on the test drive in the V5 (admittedly on B roads, but steady speeds) it just about gave 30mpg. Different cars I guess; you need to drive each and see which suits you better.