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.

888 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

£28,399

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Chingford

02039104754 *

Volkswagen Passat2023 (72) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,375

Finance available £269 pm

1.5L
44.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Passat2023 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line 5dr DSG

£23,990

25.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Marshall SEAT Braintree

01376312248 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps)

£15,700

Finance available £322 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (68) - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£6,489

1.4L
158.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorhub

01535281058 *

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 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI 150 GT BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG AUTO (21708) 5-Door

£6,994

2L
128.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Big Van World

01793953410 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SEL Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£12,990

Finance available £266 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Match Crewe

01270441019 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£5,950

2L
127.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Corner Park Garage (Swansea)

01792344016 *

Volkswagen Passat2003 (03) - 1.9 TDI PD SE 4dr

Low Mileage

£4,495

1.9L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Bedford Cars

01234987608 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps)

Reduced

£11,499

Finance available £235 pm

2L
78.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 1.6 TDI SE Business 5dr

£3,997

1.6L
190.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

F & F Car Sales

02038895253 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£28,899

Finance available £430 pm

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (G3) - 2.0 GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 4d 148 BHP 4-Door

£8,990

2L
150.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Compact Car Centre Ltd

01216615579 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 (72) - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 5dr

£17,900

Finance available £317 pm

2L
50.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£7,895

2L
127.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

J.K. Car Sales NI LTD

02890023682 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£51,490

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Alltrack DSG 4Motion Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£8,995

2L
81.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Hillington Motor Co Ltd

01414730658 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (70) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£17,490

1.4L
47.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Fish For Motors Ltd

01204939523 *

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.