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.

807 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 1.6 TDI SE Business 4dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

RM Trade Sales

02890023693 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,999

Finance available £350 pm

1.4L
10.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Motorpoint Burnley

01282504324 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 Passat SE Business TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£12,695

Finance available £261 pm

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 1.6 TDI SEL DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£12,299

1.6L
92.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

AL PRESTIGE CARS LTD

02380017157 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,895

Finance available £416 pm

1.4L
15.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Motor Range Manchester

01618048254 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Gallagher Cars LTD

02871226307 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI GT 4dr

Reduced

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
102.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

RM Trade Sales

02890023693 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI R-Line Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,100

Finance available £276 pm

2L
63.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 - 1.6 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

Finance available £100 pm

1.6L
83.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Suitor Autos

02890026903 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 p

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

1.6L
101.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

MG MOTOR GROUP LIMITED

01642937567 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line 4-Door

£3,795

Finance available £62 pm

1.6L
134.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Avante Cars

01698674599 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI SEL Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

£13,500

Finance available £285 pm

1.6L
53.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 - SPORT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
162.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

herefordshire trade centre ltd

01989553349 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI SE Business 5dr

£7,695

Finance available £150 pm

1.6L
109.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Motor Express

07305693901 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,990

2L
76.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£17,500

Finance available £312 pm

1.5L
40.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£9,500

Finance available £190 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Brant Road Motor Centre

01522459167 *

5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - Sel Tdi Dsg 4-Door

Reduced

£15,120

Finance available £315 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

1.6L
138.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Archvale Car Sales

02890022125 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Highline 5-Door

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
115.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Ls Automotive Ltd

01953661927 *

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

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.

Different generations of used Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen first introduced the Passat in 1973, making it one of the company's longest-running models. Over the years, it has been one of the manufacturer's more popular vehicles. Now in its ninth generation (B9), the Passat has more efficient powertrain options and high-tech features that continue to create excitement.

Seventh Generation (2024 to Present)

Volkswagen lengthened the wheelbase of the Passat over the last version, allowing for more interior room. With this longer wheelbase design also came some additional height for a more spacious cabin. It shares the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan, but features a sleeker design.

Inside the cabin, the MIB4 infotainment system was added to the digital cockpit as a further technological enhancement. It also features voice control for various systems, including media and navigation, for less distraction while driving.

Fuel type:: Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.5 - 2
MPG:: 40 - 706
Acceleration:: 7.1 - 9.3 seconds
Boot space:: 510 - 690 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG
Fastest
1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

Sixth Generation (2015 to 2023)

Volkswagen added a narrower grille to the B8 Passat as well as horizontal slats. The LED headlights were moved to the centre of the lower bar, but the overall style of the Passat didn't change in the eighth generation.

Inside the cabin, VW lifted the dashboard and made it incline more towards the windscreen. Volkswagen has also continued to install updated safety features with each passing year, so later models may feature more safety technology.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.4 - 2
MPG:: 39 - 470
Acceleration:: 5.8 - 11.5 seconds
Boot space:: 402 - 650 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI S 4dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 272 R-Line 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Fifth Generation (2005 to 2014)

With the release of the B7, the front design was updated with chromed slats to the grille and rectangular headlights. The air intake and fog lights were moved to the bottom bumper and more contours were added.

A variety of refined and efficient petrol and diesel engines were also released. Plus, Volkswagen included models with leather upholstery for a premium feel.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.4 - 3.6
MPG:: 26 - 68
Acceleration:: 5.6 - 13.3 seconds
Boot space:: 461 - 603 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Bluemotion Tech S 4dr
Cheapest
1.6 S FSI 4dr
Fastest
3.6 V6 R36 4MOTION 4dr DSG

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

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Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Pros