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.

750 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI (204ps) R-Line eHybrid DSG 5-Door

£38,990

1.5L
5.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SE 4dr

Reduced

£9,499

Finance available £190 pm

2L
57.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

N K Motors Chilwell

01156977727 *

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

£4,690

Finance available £82 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Jenson Cars

01733794308 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SEL Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,783

Finance available £337 pm

2L
52.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Carbase - Lympsham

01934312926 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 1.8 TSI 180 GT 5dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

Low Mileage

£18,099

Finance available £382 pm

1.8L
14.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Low Mileage

£38,990

1.5L
1.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

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

Low Mileage

£5,490

Finance available £100 pm

2L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Castle 4 Cars

02382146222 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 TDI GT 5-Door

£10,499

Finance available £212 pm

2L
104.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Icon Cars

01663798281 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 5dr

£14,750

Finance available £307 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Drew Baxter Cars

02866330744 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

Reduced

£5,400

Finance available £98 pm

1.6L
128.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Juno Cars

01282501863 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 4dr DSG Auto

£17,749

Finance available £344 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

Palmers Mitsubishi Hemel Hempsted

01442503952 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 - 1.8 TSI 4dr

Low Mileage

£2,995

1.8L
128.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

HF Bows Motor Sales

01144788634 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.5 Tsi Evo R Line Estate 5dr Petrol Dsg Euro 6 s/s 150 Ps

Low Mileage

£21,800

1.5L
22.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Pentagon Vauxhall (Loughborough)

01332414577 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat(59) - 3.6 FSI V6 R36 DSG 4Motion 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,290

Finance available £230 pm

77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Auto Haus

01274087673 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 1.6 TDI SEL 5dr DSG

£14,600

Finance available £304 pm

1.6L
68.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Vindis Fakenham Volkswagen

01328801762 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 SE Business 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,099

Finance available £360 pm

1.5L
20.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 5dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
83.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Rory Gaffney Cars

02838298749 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - TDI R-Line 4-Door

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

2L
91.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Avenue Cars of Gloucester Ltd

01452227348 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Alltrack 5-Door

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

2L
222.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Saloon 4dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£10,990

1.4L
109.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 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

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