2014-15 Passat Vs. Jetta (1.8L)

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wn1998

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So we drove them both the other day and we are torn. I was a fan of the extra room of the Passat, but the feel of the jetta (smaller lighter, thus "quicker") was more pleasing. Both cars were pre-owned VW employee owned as the jetta had 9k miles and the Passat had 13k and priced within $400 of each other with the Passat being the more expensive. (I drive about 12k per year)

The Passat's I have seen also come with more standard features (Bluethooth, heated mirrors)

Has anyone else gone through this?
 
The interior of the Passat is better. While neither meet the standard of a "real" VW like the Golf, the Jetta interior is pretty lame. But, if you want a smaller car, then the Jetta is better. The Jetta straddles the line between compact and mid-size, so it still has a big trunk and a lot of back seat room.

What are your needs and priorities? Are you considering manual or auto trans?
 
I really like the Jetta and test drove a GLI but got the car in my signature instead.
How much cheaper is a used 2015 vs a new one?
I think the Passat is too Americanized. It tries to copy competing cars in the segment. The Jetta however is unique and offers something better for those that aren't babbling over the reliability of Camry vs Accord.
 
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
The interior of the Passat is better. While neither meet the standard of a "real" VW like the Golf, the Jetta interior is pretty lame. But, if you want a smaller car, then the Jetta is better. The Jetta straddles the line between compact and mid-size, so it still has a big trunk and a lot of back seat room.

What are your needs and priorities? Are you considering manual or auto trans?


The Jetta's interior still looks better than it's Japanese counterparts. The media got upset when the 2011 model came out. The previous Jetta had a luxury car interior. VW improved it somewhat in the past year or two.
 
I think it just comes down to how much space you want. Honestly the reliability will probably be about the same between the two. I have driven both and the Jetta will feel more nimble and toss-able and will scoot to 60 faster then the Passat with the same 1.8T. If interior materials are of high priority the Passat will make you happier and it has the soft touch finishes, the Jetta has hard plastics everywhere but they seems to be of good quality even though they are hard. Im surprised the Jetta is only $400 cheaper than the Passat, its a much larger car.
 
When you drive are yu more concerned with fun and enjoyability, or do you put more emphasis on comfort and NVH insulation?

Otherwise they're pretty much the same, so it may come down to the perceived image of the cars in question, and/or what you plan to do with them..
 
I agree. My 2 cents is if you think the Jetta has enough room, go with that. Otherwise go with the Passat.

I ended up going with the Jetta because it's more tossable and I didn't need all the room in the Passat. That car has the biggest back seat. You can fit 4 NBA players in that car no problem.
smile.gif


Originally Posted By: gregk24
I think it just comes down to how much space you want. Honestly the reliability will probably be about the same between the two. I have driven both and the Jetta will feel more nimble and toss-able and will scoot to 60 faster then the Passat with the same 1.8T. If interior materials are of high priority the Passat will make you happier and it has the soft touch finishes, the Jetta has hard plastics everywhere but they seems to be of good quality even though they are hard. Im surprised the Jetta is only $400 cheaper than the Passat, its a much larger car.
 
I had the same issue and just bailed from VW
I don't always agree with CR but the Passat has a far better reliability rating than the Jetta.

But I too like a tossable ride
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: skyactiv
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
The interior of the Passat is better. While neither meet the standard of a "real" VW like the Golf, the Jetta interior is pretty lame. But, if you want a smaller car, then the Jetta is better. The Jetta straddles the line between compact and mid-size, so it still has a big trunk and a lot of back seat room.

What are your needs and priorities? Are you considering manual or auto trans?


The Jetta's interior still looks better than it's Japanese counterparts. The media got upset when the 2011 model came out. The previous Jetta had a luxury car interior. VW improved it somewhat in the past year or two.


They padded the dash and tweaked a couple things, but the Jetta still has lots of cheap, hard plastic in the interior. It's not objectively better than competitors. You may like it better, but a lot of people would not agree.

The Jetta is a perfectly fine choice, but the interior is definitely a weakness. It wouldn't stop me from buying the car if I wanted it, but is not a class leader in that area.
 
With the incentives i have seen its probably cheaper to haggle a brand new one. Especially passats they are about to have a new design soon?
 
If you are only interested in VW, get the Passat. Bigger, more comfortable car. I'm 6'2" and the Jetta is really hard to get into, the roof line is way too low.
 
Between the two, I'd be more inclined toward the Passat. If the price is about the same, you get more bang for the buck with the Passat. On paper, the Passat is only about 20 lbs heavier than the Jetta, so it really should not be any slower with the same engine, but because it's overall larger and less nimble, it may just feel that way.
 
The Passat is over 200 lbs. Heavier according to Car and Driver.

Also, I am 6' and have about 2-3 inches of headroom in the Jetta, easy.


Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Between the two, I'd be more inclined toward the Passat. If the price is about the same, you get more bang for the buck with the Passat. On paper, the Passat is only about 20 lbs heavier than the Jetta, so it really should not be any slower with the same engine, but because it's overall larger and less nimble, it may just feel that way.
 
Originally Posted By: ryanm8
The Passat is over 200 lbs. Heavier according to Car and Driver.

Also, I am 6' and have about 2-3 inches of headroom in the Jetta, easy.


Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Between the two, I'd be more inclined toward the Passat. If the price is about the same, you get more bang for the buck with the Passat. On paper, the Passat is only about 20 lbs heavier than the Jetta, so it really should not be any slower with the same engine, but because it's overall larger and less nimble, it may just feel that way.



Yep, honestly I feel there is plenty of room in the Jetta to meet most peoples needs.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Between the two, I'd be more inclined toward the Passat. If the price is about the same, you get more bang for the buck with the Passat. On paper, the Passat is only about 20 lbs heavier than the Jetta, so it really should not be any slower with the same engine, but because it's overall larger and less nimble, it may just feel that way.



Actually, according to the 2015 technical specifications of both cars the curb weights are as follows in lbs.:

Jetta (Manual/Auto): 3047 / 3124
Passat (Manual/Auto): 3172 / 3230

To OP, if you're not planning on hauling 3 people in the back seat all the time (i.e. Uber) I'd get the Jetta. Get the one you like driving the most.
 
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