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Passat vs Jetta ?

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EC.VDub

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Other than cost, does anyone wish they went with a Jetta (or other similar car) rather than a Passat?

I have been looking at the 2013 Jetta SE but right now the selection is extremely limited and I can get a great deal on a 2.5L Passat SE with sunroof (for much less than the 2014 Jetta, even). The only issue is that I am not sure if I will like the additional size of the Passat.

Thoughts? Thanks for the opinions.
 
#2 · (Edited)
In my personal opinion, the Passat looks better than the Jetta. It just looks more executive, and the backseat room as well as trunk space is amazing. All in all, it just depends on whether or not you want to drive a larger car like the Passat. For me, I enjoy the roominess of the Passat. The ride quality will also be better than the Jetta as well. At the end of the day, it just depends on how much car you really need.
 
#3 ·
The extra space is what i love about the passat over the jetta. I checked out sportwagons at the time I was looking at my passat. Since I have kids in carseats it was a no brainer to go with the passat. The space in the backseat and trunk is awesome.

Now if you don't really need the space than i'm not sure I would do it. I'd be looking at 2.0t jettas or gti's. they are more fun to drive than the 2.5
 
#4 ·
I used to own a '98 Jetta GLX - VR6 with a 5 speed. Fun car. I've always liked the Jetta, but the recent version leaves me cold. It's really bland, the base motor is truly a dog, and you really need to move up to the SEL to have a nicer interior. And at that price, the Passat is the no brainer.

Much nicer interior, ride is great, space is great, trunk/back seat is huge. Just a better looking car, and I bet it's a safer car in a collision too.

Other than the Jetta Sportwagen that I do like, I'm not sure what the purpose of the Jetta is these days. Passat all the way.
 
#5 ·
Unless you compare it to the Jetta SEL, the passat is much nicer. We got my fiancée a 13 Jetta SE convenience sunroof.

While it suits her needs my passat is much nicer inside as was here 2010 we replaced it with. I do like the feel of it better and it is a better size then the last generation. Other then that, anything less then a SEL is a hard plastic piece of crap in my honest opinion. She has tornado red with cornsilk which look great from a distance. The interior is terrible though.. cheap cheap cheap.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Thanks for the replies. I do like the Jetta styling, and the SE w/convenience and Sunroof package is nice enough. I'm not sure about the Passat, as I feel like it looks more like a family sedan (which it is) than the Jetta does.

The (kind of crazy) thing is that the 2013 Passats are going for cheap, especially considering the price of the 2014 Jettas. The Passat is much better equipped than the Jetta, and yet it still costs less per month, by a noticeable margin. I get that the main reason for this is the year-end close out, but still... It's a significant difference.
 
#7 ·
Have you driven both? That might be the deciding factor (as it should be). I agree that right now, the Passat financially, is a better deal than the Jetta. Plus I'm getting 3 years maintenance on my Passat which is a nice bonus. I have the Wolfsburg version, sort of a slightly nicer base version, and for $20k, not many Jetta's can touch it. Same with the Camry, Accord...
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
I have driven the 2013 and 2014 Jetta, along with a 2013 Tiguan and GTI. I have sat in the Passat a few times but until recently, I haven't really considered it (simply because of the cost). I always liked the Passat, though.

This weekend I'm going to take the Passat for a test drive.
 
#9 ·
Having had two Jetta's and now a TDI Passat (with a few more in the middle) - I'd say the Passat is the way to go vs. a Jetta. Yes, it's bigger, but unless you're in a downtown metro area, it won't make that much of a difference. The specials on the '13's are awesome, and there may even be a few '12's rolling around the lots that the dealer wants to move.

The only things the '14 Jetta has over the '13 Jetta is a huge drivability factor - the independent rear suspension. I'd give them a test drive, one after another then work the numbers - the rest is sheet metal and some rear legroom.
 
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#10 ·
That's actually a pretty tough call for me. I traded in my A4 for my Passat because I needed the room. If I hadn't needed it I would have gone with a new GLI. Well I mean I would have kept the Audi, but if I was going to buy a new car, it would have been the new GLI.

I am biased though as I had a mkv GLI before the A4.
 
#11 · (Edited)
I had a 2012 Jetta for 6 months, bought it new in July 2012 and sadly totalled it at the end of January of this year. I loved that car. It was a top of the line TDI manual minus the fender and gps. I bought it because the price was just perfect. I didn't like the hard plastic dash and the solid rear axle but it was overall a good car.

When I got shopping again I wanted the Wagon for the room but I couldn't get the package I wanted, I wanted the top of the line wagon minus the moon roof and it was impossible to have.

So I took a look at the Passat, took it for a spin and really like the feel of the car, quieter that for sure, nicer finish too. The only thing I don't like is that I find the suspension too soft but that is easily fixable with a good set of coilovers.
I ended up taking the TDI SE with sunroof and of course manual tranny. I didn't like all the gizmos that came with the SEL and the Fender audio system was in my opinion a huge let down and I couldn't bring myself to fork out over 2g for something I didn't like.

I still prefer the sportiness of the Jetta and the aftermarket support is just plain awesome for that car. It's a personal choice, I like having a car that is not everywhere when driving it.

Happy shopping!:thumbup:
 
#14 ·
if you like/need a manual......................

one advantage to the jetta is that you can get a manual with the higher trim levels. all levels of tdi trim, most gasser trims; in fact the only trim level you cannot get a manual with is the gasser sel and the hybrids.

no manual trannies possible with a sunroof and/or navigation in the passat.
 
#15 ·
The current Jetta has a torsen beam rear suspension. The GLI has an independent rear. I think the 2014 Jetta SE and SEL are supposed to have IRS, but all the Passats have it.
 
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#16 ·
Passat over Jetta

When I like to go really fast with aggressive pull away power GLI

When I want to feel good and look good ( with extra aftermarket goodies on car) Passat

Also IMO the Passat has a better ride and suspension than the Jetta GLI.

:)
 
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