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.

808 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2009 - 2.0 Highline TDI CR DPF 5dr DSG

£2,995

2L
140.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Lane Williams Ltd

01278555737 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (74) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£38,990

1.5L
689.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
94.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

J&M Cars Magherafelt

02879441918 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 1.6 SE BUSINESS TDI BLUEMOTION TECH DSG 5-Door

£5,995

1.6L
159.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Lottbridge Motoring Centre Ltd

01323407763 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0TDi GT 5dr DSG AUTOMATIC [Panoramic Roof]

Low Mileage

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
52.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Southbridge Garage

01334230043 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
115.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Marello Car Sales

01463217394 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Life DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£27,950

1.5L
9.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 4dr ONLY 50 000 MILES

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

2L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech 4MOTION 5dr

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

2L
107.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

DandLMotors

01777801470 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI S 5dr DSG

£7,495

Finance available £145 pm

2L
105.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI (272ps) R-Line eHybrid DSG + CLICK AND COLLECT Automatic 5-Door

Reduced

£38,498

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI BMT Executive 5dr + SAT NAV / LEATHER / 35 TAX / DAB / BLUETOOTH +

Low Mileage

£7,475

Finance available £145 pm

1.6L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

Low Mileage

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

MH Motors

02890021687 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 4dr

£2,695

2L
132.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Hanson Car Sales

01522467377 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
97.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI 19.7kWh R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£49,256

Finance available £948 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - GTE Saloon 1.4 TSI (218ps) GTE Advance DSG Automatic 4-Door

£16,250

1.4L
42.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
40.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Select Cars Southwest

01404511315 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG [Panoramic Roof] [7 Speed]

Low Mileage

£18,495

Finance available £359 pm

2L
49.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

02892791480 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - TDI GT 5-Door

£10,800

Finance available £219 pm

2L
107.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Walters Motor Group Loddon

01603937289 *

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

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.

Different generations of used Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen first introduced the Passat in 1973, making it one of the company's longest-running models. Over the years, it has been one of the manufacturer's more popular vehicles. Now in its ninth generation (B9), the Passat has more efficient powertrain options and high-tech features that continue to create excitement.

Seventh Generation (2024 to Present)

Volkswagen lengthened the wheelbase of the Passat over the last version, allowing for more interior room. With this longer wheelbase design also came some additional height for a more spacious cabin. It shares the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan, but features a sleeker design.

Inside the cabin, the MIB4 infotainment system was added to the digital cockpit as a further technological enhancement. It also features voice control for various systems, including media and navigation, for less distraction while driving.

Fuel type:: Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.5 - 2
MPG:: 40 - 706
Acceleration:: 7.1 - 9.3 seconds
Boot space:: 510 - 690 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG
Fastest
1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

Sixth Generation (2015 to 2023)

Volkswagen added a narrower grille to the B8 Passat as well as horizontal slats. The LED headlights were moved to the centre of the lower bar, but the overall style of the Passat didn't change in the eighth generation.

Inside the cabin, VW lifted the dashboard and made it incline more towards the windscreen. Volkswagen has also continued to install updated safety features with each passing year, so later models may feature more safety technology.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.4 - 2
MPG:: 39 - 470
Acceleration:: 5.8 - 11.5 seconds
Boot space:: 402 - 650 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI S 4dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 272 R-Line 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Fifth Generation (2005 to 2014)

With the release of the B7, the front design was updated with chromed slats to the grille and rectangular headlights. The air intake and fog lights were moved to the bottom bumper and more contours were added.

A variety of refined and efficient petrol and diesel engines were also released. Plus, Volkswagen included models with leather upholstery for a premium feel.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.4 - 3.6
MPG:: 26 - 68
Acceleration:: 5.6 - 13.3 seconds
Boot space:: 461 - 603 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Bluemotion Tech S 4dr
Cheapest
1.6 S FSI 4dr
Fastest
3.6 V6 R36 4MOTION 4dr DSG

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.

Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Pros