buying another passat have some questions

So my ecoboost and my wifes Mercedes GL cdi is not cutting it for fuel mileage. Thinking of buying a "fixed" passat TDI. i let VW buy my 2015 passat back and my 2013 a3 back. I loved the passat. is there any major differences between a 2013 and 2015? Also how are the passats that had the emissions fix? any big difference in mpg or drive ability?

Major differences of the engine or the car itself?

Nothing major with the car itself, 2016 was a slight refresh of sheetmetal head lights. 2015 will look just like the 12 inside and out. I believe there are some content changes but you'd really have to dig into it.

As for the engine, ovioubly the 2015 is the swan song with the 2.0 TDI in north america. There are some bigger changes under the hood than in the cabin, you won't really notice the changes driving around town.

As for the fix, the sound is more pronounced and the MPG impact is the least noticeable on the 15 than previous gens. We are able to still bag 45 mpg tank after tank in our 15 that matched our pre fix '12. Drive ability is 90% close, the shifting of the DSG is slightly different but nothing that was a deal breaker.

I would recommend looking at the '15 SEL, it made the justification of getting the same car to us as it felt like an upgrade.

I've put almost 4000 miles on my buy back but can't compare to pre-fix or other years. I had two half tanks during the 6 weeks that I had no place to go daily where I got 39 mpg. Every other fill has been 41-43 mpg. I have heard people complain of lag off the line. I live where the pavement is usually wet so I don't have a complaint about that. It has plenty off the line to get the traction control chattering if push too hard on the accelerator.

The only interior differences i have noticed between our 2013 and 2015 is the 2025 has CarNet, and the 2015 lacks the 'auto' mode on AC recirculate. Otherwise identical, including looking at what is tweakable via VCDS. Major change, as noted, is the engine, and throttle mapping. The 2015 takes more pedal than the 2013 to get the same power at part throttle, although both feel about the same at high/full throttle. (2015 is fixed, 2013 not yet . . .).

my fixed 2013 takes a lot more pedal than it did prior to the fix, so Malone and flashzilla plan to fix the fix

If the total power available is the same (as I suspect), and only the throttle mapping changed, why not just get used to it? I always have thought my 2013 is a little touchy at tip in . . . .

How comparable are they on 'pedal to the floor' comparisons?

my fixed 13 is lazy until I pass 3/4 then after some lag it comes alive hard and fast

awesome thanks everyone. i thought i remember reading somewhere about how the balance shaft assembly was different on the 15+ as well as the DSG. my 2015 was super smooth with almost no vibration.