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.

806 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

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 Passat2025 (74) - R-Line 1.5 eTSI 150PS 7-speed DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£31,495

1.5L
1.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Specialist Cars Volkswagen Kirkcaldy

01592805181 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 - GTE ADVANCE DSG 5-Door

£9,690

Finance available £194 pm

1.4L
102.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

AQ CAR SALES LIMITED

01709223120 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Elegance 5dr DSG

£40,250

Finance available £806 pm

1.5L
367.0
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Executive Style 4dr

Low Mileage

£6,995

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Reilly Motors

02871220942 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Saloon 4dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£18,657

Finance available £379 pm

1.4L
30.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£15,300

2L
41.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech S 4dr

Low Mileage

£4,275

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

ID Robertshaw Car Sales

01515417931 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 4dr DSG

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
86.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Fusco Vehicle Sales

02891249214 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 Etsi R-Line 5Dr Dsg

Low Mileage

£32,649

1.5L
6.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Volkswagen Northallerton

01609710554 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Executive Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (14

Low Mileage

£8,850

Finance available £175 pm

2L
23.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Car Firm Ltd

01733971202 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 4dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

£12,750

Finance available £263 pm

2L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Car Sales NI Ltd

02882440438 *

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

Reduced

£37,400

1.5L
5.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

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

£18,995

Finance available £370 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MSC MOTORS LTD

01782917198 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£5,250

2L
135.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

East Kent Car Sales

01795502170 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 Tsi Ehybrid 272 R-Line 5Dr Dsg

£38,799

1.5L
5.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Battersea Volkswagen

02037636641 *

0/5 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 Passat2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI Highline Plus DSG Euro 5 5dr

£1,195

2L
182.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

AIR Cars

01616720432 *

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 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 4dr

£17,295

Finance available £379 pm

2L
35.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.5/5 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.

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