Which is the most popular engine in the Volkswagen Passat?

Overwhelmingly, customers prefer the diesel engines in the Passat. These engines provide the absolute best compromise in terms of ample performance with excellent fuel economy.

What are the most popular trim levels?

With new Passat models, Volkswagen offers three trims: Life, Elegance and R-Line. Of these three, the R-Line has been among the most popular, likely because of its unique styling features and upgraded sportiness. These are very easy to find on the used market as a result. Older GT and SE models have also proved popular among Passat drivers.

What optional extras should I look out for?

The tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof is a desirable option, giving a roomier feel to the cabin. There's also a Black Styling Pack available with the R-Line, giving it a sleek and unique appearance on the road.

Is the Volkswagen Passat a good family car?

With plenty of space, four doors and a big boot, the Passat is a great family car. It's comfortable, safe and packed full of technology features, too.

Is there a hybrid version of the Volkswagen Passat?

There is a hybrid version of the Passat, known as the GTE. It features a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to create a combined 218bhp and an electric-only driving range of up to 31 miles, after which it automatically switches to petrol/electric hybrid power, allowing you to continue your journey.

Is the Volkswagen Passat available as an automatic?

Volkswagen has offered the Passat with a choice of an automatic or a manual gearbox, and both are plentiful on the used market.

Is there a four-wheel drive version available?

Most Passat models have been built with front-wheel drive. There were some made with four-wheel drive, but they are difficult to find on the used market. Look for models badged as "4MOTION" - this is Volkswagen speak for all-wheel drive.

883 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
73.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

WMGB

01278550715 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr ++ SAT NAV / ULEZ / 9 VW SERVICES / DAB ++

Low Mileage

£9,975

Finance available £201 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Executive Style 5dr

£3,495

2L
167.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Quality Used Car Sales Group

01216618712 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.4 Passat GTe Semi-Auto 4dr

Low Mileage

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

35.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Grays of Holbeach

01406430115 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£5,995

2L
158.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

DK Motor Cars

01727221656 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps)

£11,000

1.4L
80.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Radley Motor Company

01217288665 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£11,790

Finance available £241 pm

2L
77.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Central Car Sales Ltd

01733977746 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (09) - 1.9 TDI Highline Euro 4 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,499

1.9L
103.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Car Zone

01606539547 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 SE BUSINESS TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

£5,995

2L
133.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI SE Business 4dr

Low Mileage

£8,950

Finance available £178 pm

1.6L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

RW MOTORS Ltd

02890026905 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

£13,998

1.5L
53.4K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2008 (58) - 2.0 Highline TDI CR DPF 4dr

Low Mileage

£1,999

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Newcastle Runabouts

01913387314 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£7,999

Finance available £169 pm

2L
92.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 TDI GT 5-Door

Reduced

£9,999

2L
104.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Icon Cars

01663798281 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 S 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,499

Finance available £271 pm

1.5L
39.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 4dr DSG

£14,899

Finance available £260 pm

1.5L
68.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 Elegance 5dr DSG

£36,550

1.5L
4.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Marshall Mercedes-Benz of Winchester

01962676278 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI (204ps) R-Line eHybrid DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£35,990

1.5L
9.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,499

Finance available £444 pm

1.5L
1.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£11,495

Finance available £196 pm

1.5L
74.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Coleshill Car Sales

01675623133 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Passat?

If you're in the market for a car that's practical, comfortable on long drives and has a spacious interior, then a used Volkswagen Passat is a great choice. As one of the UK's top-selling cars, the Passat is an excellent motorway cruiser filled with modern technology and features. With several different bodystyles and efficient engines, it's not difficult to find a used Passat that meets your everyday motoring needs.

Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Excellent cruiser
Efficient diesel engines
Spacious design

Cons

Saloon can be impractical
Plain design
Rivals are better to drive

Read our Volkswagen Passat review

Volkswagen Passat video review

lite-youtube[videoid='g1Gl6ZQuRls']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/g1Gl6ZQuRls/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='g1Gl6ZQuRls']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

Used Volkswagen Passat buying guide

Engines and transmissions

Volkswagen has built the Passat with petrol, diesel and mild-hybrid powerplants. These have been paired with an automatic or manual gearbox and front- or all-wheel drive.

Petrol

1.5 eTSI outputs 147bhp for a 9.2-second 0-62mph time and an efficiency rating of 51.8mpg.
Older 1.4-litre turbocharged engine generates either 123bhp or 148bhp.
An older 1.8-litre turbocharged engine produces 177bhp, and there's also been a top-performing 2.0-litre outputting 217bhp.
Plug-in GTE version has a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 218bhp and an electric-only driving range of up to 31 miles.

Diesel

Older 1.6-litre engine produces 118bhp with an efficiency rating of 76.3mpg.
2.0-litre option increases output to 148bhp or 187bhp offering a rating of up to 67.3mpg. These are the most popular engine choices.
2.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine generates 237bhp.

Practicality

Bigger than the Golf and Beetle, the Volkswagen Passat is a practical family car with plenty of space for people and cargo.

Interior space

Adjustable steering wheel and driver's seat allow for the best position, while the massaging feature offers more comfort on long drives.
Rear seat headroom and legroom adequate for tall adults.
ISOFIX mounting points have flip-up covers over them for protection.

Boot space

690-litre boot is more than the average of 500 litres for most cars in this segment.
Putting down the rear seats increases space to 1,920 litres.
Bumper is low to the ground and there's no boot lip to contend with.

Bodystyles

Estate model is still available with a longer body for added space.
Saloon was recently discontinued.
Other variants were inspired by the Passat, including the four-door coupé known as the CC, and the rugged version known as the Alltrack.

Safety

2014 Euro NCAP rating gives the Passat five stars.
Child occupant rating sits at 87%, with adult occupant earning 85%.
Standard safety kit includes adaptive cruise control and automatic parking for more confidence.

Technology

Large 12.9-inch touchscreen display is the focal point of the dashboard.
High-resolution 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system is easy to view.
Available Premium sound systems are available to provide more audio clarity and enjoyment.

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.