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.

858 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 4dr DSG

£15,980

Finance available £335 pm

1.4L
50.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Hippo Approved

01254445378 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI EVO SEL Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

2L
94.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Hartington Motors

01942365314 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£13,732

Finance available £273 pm

1.4L
75.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Carsa Halesowen

01217525895 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2012 (12) - 2.0 GT TDI BlueMotion Tech 170 4dr [5 seat]

Reduced

£2,895

2L
132.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

RAF-Cars

01494413879 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 Life TSi Ehybrid 204PS DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£32,447

1.5L
3.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Scunthorpe

01724708058 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - Highline Tdi

£22,995

2L
6.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Top Gear Stoke

01782432847 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 4dr

£14,900

Finance available £268 pm

2L
78.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

McFadden Motors

02879440897 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Alltrack 4Motion Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£5,795

2L
123.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Clifby Motor Centre

01422410533 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GT Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps)

£10,199

Finance available £206 pm

2L
85.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Nova Motor Group

01915005812 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£8,995

2L
139.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Prestige Cars Ireland

02890026873 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 4dr DSG

£15,749

Finance available £320 pm

1.4L
45.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Saloon

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 - GT TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 5-Door

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

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

Low Mileage

£6,995

2L
70.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Regent Cars

01732441852 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Saloon 4dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) Adaptive

Low Mileage

£16,436

Finance available £317 pm

1.5L
19.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 - S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 4-Door

Low Mileage

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Chris Waite Car Sales Ltd

01495369898 *

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

Reduced

£17,666

Finance available £342 pm

1.4L
62.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Cartime Bury

01613887693 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,490

1.6L
153.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

ROBIN LEE WILLIS

01633742359 *

Volkswagen Passat2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI Highline Plus DSG Euro 5 4dr

Low Mileage

£3,695

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

GGS Motors Ltd

02382148539 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Highline Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£3,000

2L
123.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

JT Car Sales Worksop Ltd

01909498731 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (

Reduced

£5,750

1.6L
126.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ivybridge Trade Centre

01752982776 *

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.