Volkswagen Passat B4 1.8 (90 Hp) Automatic
Overall Rating
Volkswagen Passat:
The Volkswagen Passat is a nameplate of large family cars manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973 and also marketed variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar and Carat — in saloon, estate, and hatchback body styles.
A "four-door coupé" variant of the Passat with a lower roof was released in the North American market in 2008 as the Passat CC, which was then renamed to Volkswagen CC. The CC was succeeded by the Arteon in 2017....(Read more on Wikipedia)
B4 Overview:
Volkswagen Passat (B4). With 145 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~11.1 l/100km). Weighing only 1229 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 16.6 s). The top speed reaches 175 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Volkswagen Passat B4 was produced before Euro NCAP began its testing program in 1997, therefore no official Euro NCAP safety rating is available for this generation. It featured basic safety equipment for its time, such as ABS.
1.8 (90 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Adequate for city driving, but struggles with acceleration and feels sluggish, especially with the automatic gearbox.
Fuel Economy
Moderate fuel consumption, not particularly efficient given its modest power output.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Spacious and practical interior with large boot capacity
- • Comfortable and composed ride quality, ideal for long journeys
- • Robust build quality and generally reliable mechanicals for its age
- • Excellent fuel economy from the TDI diesel engines
- • Wide range of engine options, from economical to powerful VR6
Cons:
- • Interior design is dated compared to modern vehicles
- • Some petrol engines (e.g., 1.8 90hp) can feel underpowered
- • Limited modern safety features due to its age (no Euro NCAP rating)
- • Potential for rust on older, less well-maintained examples
- • Automatic transmissions can be sluggish and impact fuel economy
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(B3: 1991 - 1993).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Volkswagen |
| Model: | Passat |
| Generation: | B4 |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.8 (90 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1993 |
| End of production: | 1996 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 90 Hp @ 5500 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 50.5 Hp/l [30mm more] |
| Torque: | 145 Nm @ 2500 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | ABS, ADZ More details about the engine ABS, ADZ |
| Engine displacement: | 1781 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Single-point injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 3.8 l |
| Coolant: | 5 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 81 mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 86.4 mm |
| Compression ratio: | 10:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 11.1 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 6.6 l/100 km |
| Emission standard: | Euro 2 |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 16.6 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 16.6 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 175 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 13.7 kg/Hp, 73.2 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 8.5 kg/Nm, 118 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 15.8 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1229 |
| Max. weight: | 1750 |
| Max. roof load: | 75 kg |
| Max load: | 521 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 990 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 578 l |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%): | 1200 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 70 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 600 kg |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4605 mm [30mm more] |
| Width: | 1720 mm [15mm more] |
| Height: | 1430 mm [50mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2625 mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1479 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1422 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10.7 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Disc [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 185/65 R14 |
| Wheel rims size | 6J x 14 |
| Front suspension | Coil spring, Wishbone, Transverse stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | Wishbone, Transverse stabilizer, Coil spring |

















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