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.

816 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

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

£2,500

2L
170.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Staffords Autos

01164646119 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 1.6 S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 4d 119 BHP 4-Door

Low Mileage

£8,990

1.6L
63.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Formula One Car Centre

01324374133 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 1.8 TSI R-Line 4-Door

Reduced

£13,699

Finance available £284 pm

1.8L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - SE BUSINESS TDI BLUEMOTION TECH DSG 5-Door

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

1.6L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Seabrook Cars LTD

01905672485 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps)

Low Mileage

£6,995

1.4L
85.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Hodgson Specialist Cars Ltd

01942365192 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 SE Business 5dr ULEZ Hpi One Owner

Reduced

£6,499

1.5L
147.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Simply Motors

02081500946 *

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 Passat2018 - S TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Reduced

£8,695

Finance available £172 pm

1.6L
80.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Platinum Car Centre

01752987232 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - SE NAV TSI EVO 5-Door

£12,900

Finance available £217 pm

1.5L
67.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

JD Motor Company

01325526906 *

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 Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

£18,449

Finance available £378 pm

1.4L
38.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 4Dr AUTOMATIC

£16,995

Finance available £295 pm

2L
43.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Skinners of Rye

01797330908 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2012 - SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5-Door

Low Mileage

£4,695

2L
92.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Platinum Car Centre

01752987232 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 (22) - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£18,700

Finance available £387 pm

1.4L
49.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Sheffield

01145510576 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

£16,299

Finance available £342 pm

1.4L
57.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI S 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,945

Finance available £200 pm

2L
68.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Sean O'Hara Cars

02890026918 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI GTE 5dr DSG

£11,650

Finance available £238 pm

1.4L
70.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Windmill Autos Ltd

01767661305 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
104.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Elm Motor Company

01752749650 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI SE 5dr

£4,995

2L
140.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Valley Trade centre

01494312062 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2011 (11) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 4dr

£2,500

2L
151.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

MOTOR X CARS LTD

01494419101 *

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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* 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.