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.

772 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£7,750

1.4L
149.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

KELEVRA HOLDINGS LIMITED TA Bay Pickups

01524938534 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Executive Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£5,249

Finance available £95 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Abbey Car Sales Ltd

01134676312 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

£16,995

Finance available £299 pm

1.4L
55.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Radius Vehicle Solutions

02890023225 *

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

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 4-Door

Reduced

£9,995

Finance available £201 pm

1.6L
74.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Southwest Motor Company

01752982529 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 Passat2020 (20) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 5dr DSG

Reduced

£12,490

Finance available £257 pm

1.5L
82.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR R-Line 4dr

£15,850

Finance available £332 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Reilly Motors

02871220942 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG Automatic

£37,000

1.5L
4.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI EVO R-Line Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£17,295

2L
68.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Motor Trust UK Lancaster

01524938891 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (64) - 1.6 TDI SEL 4dr DSG 18 months warranty

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

JRP Automotive Company

02920033509 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 2.0 TDI Alltrack Estate 5dr Diesel DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps)

£12,939

Finance available £272 pm

2L
83.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE Business Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£8,494

Finance available £167 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Vivian Price Cars

01172331344 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£5,950

2L
121.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

NW Kehoe & Sons

02830447169 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 eTSI (150ps) R-Line DSG Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£32,500

1.5L
2.2K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

Reduced

£10,999

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 1.4 TSI 150 GT 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

Low Mileage

£11,730

Finance available £235 pm

1.4L
59.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Evans Halshaw Ford Bedford

01234987593 *

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

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RSS AUTOS LIMITED

02380017784 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Highline DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,650

2L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Brook Williams Prestige

01215165545 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2012 - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Sport 4dr

£3,495

2L
117.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Trade Centre Yorkshire Ltd

01904917547 *

0/5 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.

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.