The eighth generation model of the Passat was unveiled on 3 July 2014, with sales commenced in November 2014 in Continental Europe and in January 2015 in the United Kingdom as a four-door saloon and estate. Following other Volkswagen Group passenger vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk7, it is based on a MQB platform, a modular automobile construction platform designed for transverse, front-engined cars.

These Vehicles are based on the MIB-PQ platform which use the second generation of Quadlock connector. This can be identified by the two large pins in the corner of connector.