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.

778 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2020 (09)

£9,885

Finance available £199 pm

3.6L
74.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Not Supplied

AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE LIMITED TA ADC LTD

01158384507 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG Auto

£17,329

1.4L
57.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Nissan Doncaster

01302245278 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£10,489

Finance available £212 pm

2L
85.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Auto Investments UK Ltd

01162165682 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£11,800

Finance available £241 pm

2L
87.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

PRO AUTOCARS LTD

01256587054 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£39,950

1.5L
28.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,000

Finance available £411 pm

2L
27.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Sam Jordan Cars ltd

01284338959 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 - TSI Highline 4-Door

Reduced

£2,490

1.8L
101.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

DVP Car Sales Ltd

02039484651 *

3.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 1.8 TSI 180 GT 5dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

Low Mileage

£18,099

Finance available £382 pm

1.8L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line 5dr, Euro 6

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

2L
102.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Motor Express

07305693901 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI GTE 4dr DSG

£13,390

Finance available £277 pm

1.4L
57.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Saloon

Camberley Volkswagen

01276543130 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr DSG [7 Speed]

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Royale Autos Ltd

01280733607 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI EVO SEL DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£14,080

Finance available £240 pm

2L
67.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI R-Line 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

Reduced

£12,450

Finance available £256 pm

1.4L
38.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

William Coates Cars

01262410927 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£16,028

Finance available £343 pm

2L
42.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BMT Executive 5dr DSG + LEATHER / NAV / 1 OWNER / 6 SERVICES

Low Mileage

£10,475

2L
40.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

Reduced

£8,695

Finance available £172 pm

1.6L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Kemberton Car Sales

01952446073 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI SCR 190 SEL 4dr DSG

£16,698

2L
56.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - Passat R-line Tdi Bluemotion Technology 5-Door

Reduced

£7,000

2L
141.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

THE HOUSE OF CARS STOKE LTD

01782307837 *

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 Passat2009 (09) - 2.0 Highline TDI CR DPF 4dr DSG

£1,795

2L
153.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

AR Cars

01254947703 *

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.