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.

782 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business 5-Door

£8,995

2L
101.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Glevum Cars

01684210971 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG Automatic

Reduced

£35,000

1.5L
13.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG

£35,490

1.5L
5.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (59) - 1.8 TSI Highline Euro 4 4dr

Reduced

£2,995

1.8L
89.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Southend Auto Sales Ltd

01702908029 *

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 Passat2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£12,400

Finance available £255 pm

1.5L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Canvey Carriage Company

01268203836 *

4/5 Stars

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 Passat2021 (71) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£15,280

Finance available £319 pm

1.4L
62.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Quality Part X Ltd Stevenage

01438584759 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Elegance 5dr DSG Auto

£35,417

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Letchworth

01462559198 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (11) - 1.6 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 4d 104 BHP 4-Door

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

1.6L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Mania

01614700093 *

2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,790

Finance available £196 pm

2L
93.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Pinnacle Cars Ltd

01143086613 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (105 ps)

Low Mileage

£4,790

Finance available £85 pm

1.6L
67.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Junction 21 Motors

01934312906 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£6,995

1.6L
89.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Woodcroft Motors

01642030069 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2011 - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

All Right Autos

01482426475 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Gallagher Cars LTD

02871226307 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI EVO SEL Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,990

2L
70.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carworld Supermarket

01733794246 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 4dr DSG

£14,999

Finance available £313 pm

2L
54.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

John Griffiths Cars Ltd

01778308207 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£8,750

Finance available £173 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Auto Pro X

02895908086 *

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

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

2L
103.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Audenshaw Motor Company Ltd TA Audenshaw Motors

01614139877 *

3.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£9,595

Finance available £192 pm

2L
92.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Suffolk Car Centre

01502441264 *

0/5 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 2014)

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

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Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Pros