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.

873 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL Saloon 4dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,950

Finance available £245 pm

1.5L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Windmill Autos Ltd

01767661305 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

£28,399

Finance available £425 pm

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT 5DR DSG [Panoramic Roof] MEGA SPEC LOW MILES FULL HISTORY PX

£11,950

Finance available £245 pm

1.6L
70.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Car Centre Stoke Ltd

01782389387 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

Reduced

£5,400

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Juno Cars

01282501863 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£12,795

Finance available £264 pm

2L
41.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Botley Car Centre Limited

01489661104 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£38,890

1.5L
1.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,299

Finance available £442 pm

1.5L
3.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Peterborough

01733797063 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 - VW PASSAT HIGHLINE TSI DSG 1.8L PETROL AUTOMATIC, EURO 5, ULEZ, VERIFIED MI 4-Door

£3,995

1.8L
112.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

Quality Autos

01708205279 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2007 (57) - 1.9 S TDI 5dr

£990

1.9L
189.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Sour Motors

01616696855 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

£28,499

Finance available £427 pm

1.5L
5.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Motorpoint Newport

01633493027 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (69) - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£11,994

Finance available £246 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

AutoTrade Southwest

01453701529 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

£15,899

Finance available £278 pm

1.4L
57.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

FOW Trafford

01616969155 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2012 (62) - 1.6S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Reduced

£4,995

1.6L
124.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 1.6 TDI SE 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£15,750

Finance available £330 pm

1.6L
38.9K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Sam Creith Motors Ltd

02890026942 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - R-Line 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272PS 6-speed DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£41,498

1.5L
1.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Loughton

02038924870 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 (72) - 1.5 Tsi Evo Sel Estate 5dr Petrol Dsg Euro 6 (s/s) (150 Ps)

£17,799

Finance available £250 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Drayton Motors Kia Grantham

01476851852 *

Volkswagen PassatW8 4 MOTION 4.0 FULL LEATHER * LOW MILES * TOP GRADE Auto

£6,495

4L
67.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

The Car Warehouse

01642937563 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2009 (59) - 2.0 BlueMotion 2 TDI CR DPF 110 4dr

£1,295

2L
158.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Great yarmouth car sales

01493807050 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI SE Business Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Business DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£9,800

Finance available £197 pm

1.5L
97.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Star Cars London

02037726236 *

3.8/5 Stars

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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