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.

816 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat(64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps)

Low Mileage

£12,500

69.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

GDH Car Sales

01403330806 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion 4dr

Reduced

£3,775

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motorline Car Sales

01162165692 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI S 4dr

£4,000

1.6L
123.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Clinic

01414040093 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (11) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 4dr

£2,500

2L
151.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

MOTOR X CARS LTD

01494419101 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.4 Passat GTe Semi-Auto 4dr

Low Mileage

£12,990

Finance available £268 pm

35.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Grays of Holbeach

01406430115 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£15,500

Finance available £317 pm

1.4L
51.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Enfield

02037634741 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - Gte Dsg 4-Door

£15,980

Finance available £335 pm

1.4L
50.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 (13) - HIGHLINE 2.0 TDI TURBO

Low Mileage

£10,495

2L
42.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Albion Road Motor Co

01843441081 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

Reduced

£4,150

2L
146.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

B C S LTD

01162162529 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2005 (55) - 1.9 SE TDI 4dr

Low Mileage

£3,290

1.9L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Sway Road Car Sales

01792940350 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

£7,995

2L
132.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Top Spec Automotive ltd

07398052967 *

Volkswagen Passat2008 (08) - 2.0 Highline TDI CR DPF 5dr DSG AUTOMATIC

Low Mileage

£4,495

2L
111.4K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Bennets Car Sales

02922672909 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2011 - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 4dr DSG

£2,995

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Car World Motors Ltd

01924668250 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr Manual

£14,495

Finance available £255 pm

2L
74.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

V12 Sports and Classics Worksop

01455241730 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2009 (09) - 2.0 GT TDI CR 4dr DSG

£1,295

2L
189.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

S A motors

01158222427 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 5dr DSG

£22,950

Finance available £451 pm

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Ballyrobert at Mallusk

02890021668 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 5dr DSG

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,498

1.5L
12.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Glasgow South Street Vauxhall/Peugeot/Citroen/Vanstore

01414839940 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI SE Business 5dr + SAT NAV / 20 TAX / ULEZ / DAB

Low Mileage

£10,875

Finance available £221 pm

1.6L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

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.