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.

837 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£11,740

1.4L
59.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Evans Halshaw Ford Bedford

01234987593 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (11) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 4d 104 BHP 4-Door

£3,995

1.6L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Mania

01614700093 *

3.8/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£17,298

2L
51.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 (22) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£17,400

Finance available £359 pm

1.4L
44.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Camberley

01276983839 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO R-Line Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,990

2L
47.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

LKC Motors

01909491436 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£10,100

Finance available £203 pm

2L
84.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hammond Cars Great Yarmouth

01493806041 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG

£39,795

10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 4dr

£15,995

Finance available £282 pm

2L
51.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Roadside Motors (Armagh) Ltd

02890026875 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - SE BUSINESS TDI BLUEMOTION TECH DSG 5-Door

£8,690

Finance available £172 pm

2L
92.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Stanley Automotive

01614700143 *

Volkswagen Passat2008 (58) - 2.0 GT TDI CR 4dr DSG

£1,585

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Aventus Motors LTD

01162165602 *

Volkswagen Passat2010 (10) - 2.0 Highline BlueMotion Tech TDI CR DPF 5dr - 07/2026 MOT - SERVICE HISTORY

£1,750

2L
153.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Enclave Automotive Ltd

01922660927 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (55) - 1.6 TDI SEL Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.6L
28.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Paul Williamson Cars Ltd

01343612230 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 1.6 TDI SE Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

£10,995

1.6L
91.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Parkside Motors Ltd

02039475180 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (8P) - 3.6 FSI V6 R36 Estate 5dr Petrol DSG 4Motion Euro 5 (300 ps)

Low Mileage

£9,995

3.6L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motorhouse (Beds) Ltd

01234676818 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line 4dr Petrol Saloon

£14,100

1.5L
55.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Vertu Volkswagen Leeds

01134676309 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.4L
107.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Passat2010 (10) - 2.0 GT TDI 170 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£3,795

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Express

07305693901 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 - HIGHLINE TDI 4-Door

£2,295

2L
134.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Dhillon Motor Co

02392000337 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr Automatic

£10,395

1.5L
127.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG

£39,795

6.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 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

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.