2002-2005 Volkswagen Passat MPG & Fuel Cost

EPA rates the 2002-2005 Volkswagen Passat at 18–27 MPG combined across 62 configurations and 4 model years. The most efficient version, the 2005 Passat 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD, is rated 27 MPG (23 city, 34 highway). By powertrain: Gas: 18–23 MPG; Diesel: 27 MPG.

The Passat 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 27 MPG, in 2004 and 2005. The lowest top rating, 23 MPG, was in 2002 and 2003.

Yes. Ratings changed in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

The previous generation (2000-2001 Volkswagen Passat) is rated 18–24 MPG combined and costs $3,350–$4,460 a year to fuel; the 2002-2005 model is rated 18–27 MPG and costs $3,490–$4,460 a year.

Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Passat 1.8L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,490 a year. Across all 16 configurations the cost runs $3,490–$4,230 a year. That is a $740 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

About $23.27 per 100 miles for the Passat 1.8L 4-cyl turbo FWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $23.27 and $28.20 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

The Passat 1.8L 4-cyl turbo FWD is rated 19 city and 28 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 9 MPG.

The Passat 1.8L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,490 a year to fuel, $160 less than the class median of $3,650, and less than 5 of 10 wagon configurations. The comparison covers all 55 rated wagon configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.

The most efficient configuration stays at 27 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $3,500. EPA lists 16 configurations for 2005 against 20 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 Volkswagen Passat for that year.