Volkswagen Passat B5 (2000–2005)

Volkswagen Passat B5 (2000–2005) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Volkswagen Passat — body generations

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Passat

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Volkswagen Passat fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Volkswagen Passat prices by year →

About this generation

The Volkswagen Passat (B5) is a large family car which was produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen from 1997 to 2005, with 1997 to 2001 model years being B5 models and 2001 to 2005 model years being B5.5 models. The car, based on the Volkswagen Group B5 platform, was originally launched in Germany in 1997, before it was introduced in 1997 to North America and Europe, followed by Australia in 1998 and China in 1999. It was launched a year prior to the B4, which was phazed out completely by 1997.

What changed in the facelift

B5 Passat models built after late 2000, also known as B5.5 models, received major styling and mechanical revisions including revised projector-optic headlights, bumpers, taillights, and chrome trim. A 4.0 L W8 engine producing was introduced with a luxury version that included standard 4motion all-wheel drive. This engine was intended to be a test bed for Volkswagen Group's new W engine technology, which would later make an appearance on the W12 in the Phaeton and Audi A8, and the W16 engine in the Bugatti Veyron.

In 2003, a 2.0 L Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine producing was added (making the Passat the only mid-sized diesel-powered car sold in the U.S.). This variant was available from 2003 until 2005. A lengthened platform went on to underpin the 'Passat' that was introduced in China in December 1999 by Shanghai-Volkswagen. This long-wheelbase version was rebadged and launched in Europe as the Škoda Superb in 2001.

Both have a longer wheelbase and length than the standard B5 Passat. An updated version called the Passat Lingyu was released in late November 2005, which has the 1.8-litre turbocharged EA113, the 2.0 L EA113, and the 2.8 L BBG V6 petrol engines. In the United Kingdom, trim levels were E, S, Sport, SE, V5, V6, and Highline. The E trim level had a 1.6 L engine only. The S trim level was considered well-equipped by the motoring press at the time, and What Car?

magazine recommended the 1.8 S as the best version in 1999. SE models had the same engines as the S version, but were better equipped. The V5 models had a 2.3 V5 engine, the V6 was available with a 2.8 V6, or 2.5 TDI. Models sold in Europe and the Republic of Ireland were similar apart from the trim level naming schemes; the trim levels were Volkswagen's "lifestyle" naming scheme: Comfortline, Trendline, and Highline.

A base model was also available. Most models sold in the U.S. had the 1.8L 20-valve turbocharged four-cylinder engine or the 2.8L 30-valve V6 engine. Trim levels were GL (2003 onward), GLS, GLX, and W8 (2002–2004). The TDI diesel engine was introduced for the 2003 model year and was only available in GL and GLS trim levels with front-wheel-drive and the 5-speed automatic transmission. The W8 was only available with the 4motion all-wheel-drive system and a slightly higher trim than the GLX models.

A 6-speed manual transmission was offered in the W8 from the 2003 model year as part of a sport package that also included a revised suspension and 17-inch BBS alloy wheels. The W8 was the only 4motion-equipped Passat in the U.S. that offered a manual transmission. The V6 engine had 4motion as an option, as did the 1.8 T starting in the 2004 model year. The GLX trim was only available with the V6. Versions sold in Mexico are the same as their European equivalents.

* 2001 Auto Express Used Car Honours 2001 – Best Family Used Car * 2001 Diesel Car 2001 Awards – Overall Diesel Car of the Year & Best Family Car * 2000 Used Car Buyer: Used the Year – Overall winner & Best Family Car * 2000 Auto Express Used Car Honours – Best Family Car * 2000 Auto Express New Car Honours – Best Family Car * 2000 Fleet World Honours – Best Fleet Car

Source: Wikipedia — Volkswagen Passat (B5), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

For sale right now

• 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS — $7,999 · 49,641 mi · Hazleton, PA