Owners of the 2015 Volkswagen Passat equipped with the 3.6L V6 get 23 MPG combined. It doesn’t try to be a Prius. This Passat is for someone who wants smooth power and relaxed highway cruising more than saving every bit of fuel. They like the refined VR6 engine and will accept the fuel economy trade-off for that.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2015 Passat VR6 at 20 MPG in the city and 28 MPG on the highway. The city number is from the engine’s larger size using more fuel during stop-and-go driving. It’s not terrible, but it’s lower than the 1.8T four-cylinder Passat. The 28 MPG highway rating is better. The smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission helps keep the engine efficient at cruising speeds; this Passat is good for long road trips, where its comfortable ride and ample power are apparent.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2015 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L at $2,500. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year using both city and highway driving, and assumes national average fuel prices. As fuel prices change, so will the actual cost. Think of this as a way to compare it with other vehicles. It is higher than most of the other trims of the PASSAT MPG across all years.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a start, but real-world MPG changes based on driving, roads, and weather. Fast acceleration, hard braking, and speeding will hurt fuel economy. Smooth driving and keeping a steady speed can help you get close to, or even a little better than, the EPA’s estimates. Tire pressure also matters. Make sure the tires have the right pressure, which is on the driver’s side door, to lower rolling resistance and save fuel.

How it compares

The 2015 Passat VR6’s fuel economy is behind the four-cylinder competition. The Honda Accord with its V6 from that year had similar power but often got better fuel economy, around 21 MPG combined. The Toyota Camry V6 was about the same as the Accord. The 1.8T Passat offers much better fuel economy, around 28 MPG combined. The Nissan Altima with its 3.5L V6 had similar performance and economy to the Passat. This matters because buyers often consider the benefits of extra power against the cost of gas. The Passat VR6 buyer is choosing performance over fuel savings.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The Passat VR6 has good power, but you can still improve its fuel economy. Don’t accelerate fast or brake hard. The VR6 engine works well with slow and steady throttle. Watch traffic and keep a consistent speed when you can, letting the car coast when stopping. The six-speed automatic is built to shift smoothly, so let it without pushing the pedal too much.

Regular maintenance is important. Keep the engine tuned and the air filter clean. A dirty air filter holds back air, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Change your oil and filter on time, or a little early, to keep the engine running well.

Keep the weight down. Take out anything you don’t need from the trunk or backseat. Extra weight adds strain on the engine and hurts fuel economy. This is more apparent in city driving, but it still matters on the highway.

Think about using cruise control on long highway drives. This helps keep a consistent speed and lowers changes in throttle, leading to better fuel use. Watch the road and traffic. Turn off cruise control when you need to control the car.

Watch the car’s computer. The “instant MPG” updates often and the “average MPG” can be reset to show you the current trip’s fuel use. If you drive this vehicle for a long trip, resetting the average MPG can help you see the car’s performance and your driving.

The 2015 Volkswagen Passat 3.6L isn’t the most economical mid-size sedan, but it has a good mix of power, refinement, and comfort that makes its fuel use acceptable for a specific driver who will visit all Volkswagen fuel economy data.