“Be aware that like most manufacturers in this price point, the CVT is a huge disappointment and takes away the quality of the driving experience.”
2020 Volkswagen Passat: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat’s biggest change is a major facelift, with new exterior bodywork and a refreshed cabin presentation. It is not a full redesign, but it also gains more engine torque, broader standard safety equipment, and an expanded four-trim lineup.
About the 2020 Volkswagen Passat
U.S.-market Passat sedan generation introduced for 2012; 2020 is the facelifted version and the first year of the final 2020-2022 update.
Volkswagen positioned the Passat as a roomy midsize sedan built around comfort, easy highway travel, and straightforward technology rather than sporty performance. The brochure emphasis is on generous rear legroom, simple access features like keyless entry and an easy-open trunk, smartphone-friendly infotainment, and a strong list of driver-assistance features. Its core appeal is a large back seat, a clean and upscale-feeling cabin, and a calm, practical driving character for everyday family and commuting use.
The 2020 Passat lineup runs from the straightforward S to the comfort-focused SE, which adds heated synthetic-leather seats, remote start, and adaptive cruise control. The R-Line pairs the roomy cabin with sportier bodywork and 19-inch wheels, while the SEL emphasizes comfort with leather seats, navigation, premium audio, and heated rear seats.
What changed, by category
Styling
Volkswagen gave the Passat new exterior sheetmetal, updated front and rear styling, and a fresher interior presentation.
Powertrain
The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine carries over but rises to 206 lb-ft of torque.
Safety
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert became standard on every trim. Upper trims also gained active blind-spot intervention, while the SE and R-Line include lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
Tech
LED headlights and LED taillights became standard across the lineup.
2020 Volkswagen Passat specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 6-Spd w/Tiptronic | Automatic, 6-Spd w/Tiptronic | Automatic, 6-Spd w/Tiptronic | Automatic, 6-Spd w/Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 34 mpg | 34 mpg | 34 mpg | 34 mpg |
| Horsepower | 174 hp | 174 hp | 174 hp | 174 hp |
| Torque | 206 lb-ft | 206 lb-ft | 206 lb-ft | 206 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 15.9 cu-ft | 15.9 cu-ft | 15.9 cu-ft | 15.9 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 39.1 in | 39.1 in | 39.1 in | 39.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||
| Alarm System | ||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | ||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||
| LED Headlights | ||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||
| Navigation System | ||||
| Premium Audio | ||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||
| Subwoofer | ||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||
| Heated Rear Seats | ||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||
| Leather Seats | ||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||
| Power Driver Seat | ||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||
| Remote Start | ||||
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Volkswagen Passat a full redesign?
No. The 2020 Passat is a major facelift of the existing U.S.-market sedan rather than an all-new generation. It keeps the same basic vehicle underneath but receives new exterior bodywork, an updated cabin presentation, and revised equipment.
How did the 2020 Passat’s engine change from 2019?
The 2020 Passat keeps its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, but torque increases to 206 lb-ft. That is the main powertrain change for the year.
What safety features became standard on the 2020 Passat?
Every 2020 Passat has forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. Active blind-spot intervention is fitted to upper trims, and the SE and R-Line also have lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
How did the 2020 Passat trim lineup change?
The 2020 lineup expanded to four trims: S, SE, R-Line, and SEL. The 2019 Wolfsburg Edition continued under the S name, the 2.0T SE R-Line became the R-Line, and SE and SEL joined the range.
What are the main differences between the 2020 Passat and the 2019 model?
The 2020 Passat has new exterior bodywork, a refreshed interior presentation, more engine torque, standard LED exterior lighting, broader standard safety equipment, and a larger four-trim lineup. It is a substantial update, but not a ground-up redesign.
2020 Volkswagen Passat Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat.
4.0
2020 Volkswagen Passat
(212 reviews)
“I would say that the reliability and ease of driving a Volkswagen Passat, as well as it's safety features, and looks, and level of comfort, make it the perfect vehicle for daily driving and travel.”
“The radio bass is too high at -9 it sounds like 90s rap music and the max volume to not blow out your speakers is about half or a little over half of full volume. Also, the gas mileage is not always what the range reads. Probably needs special gas for actual gas efficiency.”