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.

788 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,000

Finance available £246 pm

2L
91.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Alltrack 5-Door

£2,692

2L
222.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

MB Motor Group

01133236318 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (71) - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 5dr

£15,990

Finance available £281 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Empire Cars Bedford

01234237238 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI GT 5DR DSG [Panoramic Roof] MEGA SPEC LOW MILES FULL HISTORY PX

£12,950

Finance available £267 pm

1.6L
70.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Car Centre Stoke Ltd

01782389387 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI R-Line Saloon 4dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£11,495

Finance available £234 pm

1.4L
67.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Motoring Way LTD

01495361519 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

1.6L
86.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Colliss Motors

01985807078 *

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

Low Mileage

£18,899

Finance available £400 pm

2L
27.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 1.4 TSI GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£12,995

Finance available £268 pm

1.4L
69.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Stevenage Cars

01438908360 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (71) - MK8 Facelift Est 1.5TSI 150 R-Line EVO DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£11,980

1.5L
127.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Trans City Car Centre

02039095475 *

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

Reduced

£37,740

1.5L
5.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 2.0 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

£9,000

2L
76.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hearsall Common Car Sales

02475105300 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£33,990

Finance available £678 pm

1.5L
2.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

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

Low Mileage

£5,395

Finance available £98 pm

2L
82.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Renown Motors

01613887637 *

Volkswagen Passat1988 (E) - GL5 5dr

Low Mileage

£8,995

2L
69.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Hatchback

Yorkshire Classic & Sports Cars

01765532620 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 2.0 BiTDI 240 R-Line Edition 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£29,995

Finance available £596 pm

2L
23.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 4dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

Reduced

£14,795

Finance available £308 pm

2L
56.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Supreme Motors NI

02882449414 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£8,595

Finance available £170 pm

2L
103.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Audenshaw Motor Company Ltd TA Audenshaw Motors

01614139877 *

4/5 Stars

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

£15,850

Finance available £332 pm

2L
84.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Reilly Motors

02871220942 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 (13) - 1.6 TDI Bluemotion Tech Highline 4dr

£3,295

1.6L
107.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Amayr Car Sales

02920028833 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 4dr DSG

£16,070

Finance available £330 pm

1.5L
36.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Evans Halshaw Ford Darlington

01325521605 *

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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