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.

778 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

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 Passat2007 (07) - 2.0 SE TDI 5dr

Low Mileage

£2,495

2L
95.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

JC Motors Wakefield ltd

01924978951 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£18,495

1.4L
51.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

TheCarHouse.co.uk

01482249182 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 1.6 TDI SEL 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,795

Finance available £353 pm

1.6L
34.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Rudi Gage Car Sales

02827440452 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr DSG [Panoramic Roof] Diesel Saloon

Low Mileage

£12,995

2L
60.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Vertu Honda Doncaster

01302245283 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI S 5dr DSG Estate Metallic Silver £35 Tax

£7,395

2L
107.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Autodeals of Stroud

01453703567 *

4.1/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI 19.7kWh R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£49,989

Finance available £963 pm

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Wrexham Volkswagen

01978800738 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 5dr DSG

£8,495

2L
134.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

I H Vehicles

01494311318 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Saloon 4dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£12,999

1.5L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Les Rayner Foxhunters Motor Co

01916077230 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 5dr DSG [Panoramic Roof] Auto

Low Mileage

£18,159

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Audi Oxford

01865597492 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Advance DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£12,000

Finance available £246 pm

1.4L
94.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Saloon

Quality Part X Ltd Dunstable

01582280653 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Sport 4dr

£2,995

2L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Unlimited Motors

01213872423 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO R-Line Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£18,225

Finance available £393 pm

2L
61.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£13,499

2L
76.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Les Rayner Foxhunters Motor Co

01916077230 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£11,199

Finance available £228 pm

1.6L
51.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Rangebrook Limited

01926352097 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr 1 OWNER / 8 VW SERVICES / ULEZ / SAT NAV / H/SEATS

£9,475

Finance available £189 pm

2L
75.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business 4-Door

£6,695

Finance available £127 pm

2L
81.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Heartlands Trade Centre Ltd

01212721981 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£19,539

Finance available £402 pm

1.4L
37.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Saloon 4dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£14,790

1.5L
50.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO R-Line Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - HEATED LEA

£14,890

Finance available £292 pm

2L
83.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Carsa Gloucester

01452227227 *

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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