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.

761 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

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 Passat2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (

£6,975

Finance available £134 pm

2L
101.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Trade Car Sales

01616720265 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI SE Business 5dr DSG

Reduced

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

1.6L
16.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

S M G Rover

01174286788 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 5dr

£14,750

Finance available £307 pm

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Drew Baxter Cars

02866330744 *

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 Passat2025 - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG

£35,990

Finance available £719 pm

1.5L
2.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI SE Business 4dr - £20 ROAD TAX, 2 KEYS, NI REG, FRONT & REAR SENSOR

£7,750

1.6L
93.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

TrustFord Mallusk

02890026913 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech 4MOTION 5dr

£5,000

Finance available £89 pm

2L
138.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Grove Cars

01143089351 *

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

Low Mileage

£6,790

Finance available £129 pm

2L
82.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

AUTOTRADE BIRMINGHAM LTD

01217525773 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG

£45,190

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR R-Line 5dr DSG

£13,950

Finance available £289 pm

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

MCautosales

02879440626 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Business Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£6,290

Finance available £118 pm

1.6L
116.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

MOTORSTOP WEST MIDLANDS LTD

01384885524 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£37,740

1.5L
4.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 5dr DSG Auto

£14,750

2L
74.7K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - GT 2.0 TDI BMT SCR 190PS 6-speed DSG 4 Door Automatic

Low Mileage

£15,033

2L
55.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bristol

01172331336 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£6,755

Finance available £129 pm

1.6L
96.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

GD Motors

03030037968 *

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 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 5dr DSG

£18,619

Finance available £382 pm

1.4L
37.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£8,695

Finance available £172 pm

2L
103.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Audenshaw Motor Company Ltd TA Audenshaw Motors

01614139877 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business 5-Door

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
1.9M
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Chester Motor Company

01207262648 *

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

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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