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 Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,299

Finance available £442 pm

1.5L
3.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Portsmouth

02382146197 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 Elegance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£36,890

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Marshall SKODA Harlow

01279594532 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 (12) - 2.0 GT TDI BlueMotion Tech 170 4dr [5 seat]

Reduced

£2,995

2L
132.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

RAF-Cars

01494413879 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr DSG [7 Speed]

£10,195

2L
95.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG 360 Camera Sunroof VIRTUAL COCKPIT

£8,495

1.4L
129.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

JD Cars

01443809140 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,699

Finance available £428 pm

1.5L
3.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Swansea

01792001617 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£11,100

Finance available £226 pm

2L
57.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Red Lion Motors

01992367334 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

£17,999

Finance available £320 pm

1.4L
47.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

Low Mileage

£16,498

2L
29.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Arnold Clark Edinburgh Sighthill MS / Fiat / Abarth / BYD

01313702482 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£10,780

Finance available £219 pm

1.4L
103.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Wembley Prestige Cars

02037803372 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 BiTDI SCR R-Line 4MOTION 5dr DSG

£13,449

Finance available £261 pm

2L
86.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 4dr

£17,295

Finance available £315 pm

2L
35.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £131 pm

2L
125.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Just Audi VW

01522459180 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid R-Line 5dr DSG Estate

£33,895

1.5L
7.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Vertu Volkswagen Lincoln

01522467379 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

£18,991

1.4L
32.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Marshall Audi Bexley

02038895332 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI Highline Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 5 (140 ps)

£1,757

2L
176.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

WE SELL ANY Car

01733794275 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI 190 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Worlingham Motor Company

01502441250 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - Se Business Tsi Evo Dsg 5-Door

£14,420

Finance available £304 pm

1.5L
53.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,600

Finance available £217 pm

1.5L
76.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Big Motoring World Blue Bell Hill

01634557830 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI (204ps) R-Line eHybrid DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£36,990

1.5L
7.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

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

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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.

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