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 Passat2017 - 1.4 TSI R-Line 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

Low Mileage

£12,998

1.4L
50.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Arnold Clark SEAT/Cupra (Glasgow North)

01414839922 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI 190 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,495

Finance available £346 pm

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Worlingham Motor Company

01502441250 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£17,850

1.4L
40.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

drivedirect Leicester

01164646061 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2009 (09) - 2.0 Highline TDI CR DPF 110 4dr

Low Mileage

£1,895

2L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

N A Motor Co

01164785672 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 - 1.6 TDI Bluemotion Tech Executive 5dr

£4,650

1.6L
149.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Michael Fee Motors

02890024609 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150

Low Mileage

£11,890

Finance available £243 pm

2L
69.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Monarch Car Sales

01905673241 *

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

£6,450

Finance available £122 pm

2L
89.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Twin Car Sales Ltd

01255449987 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£5,950

2L
121.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

NW Kehoe & Sons

02830447169 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Elegance DSG + 18' NAPOLI ALLOYS + SPARE WHEEL 5-Door

Reduced

£32,450

1.5L
6.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 1.6 TDI S 4dr

£4,000

1.6L
123.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Clinic

01414040093 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 5dr DSG

£22,950

Finance available £451 pm

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Ballyrobert at Mallusk

02890021668 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£19,498

1.4L
46.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Renault/Dacia (Wigan)

01924978966 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

1.6L
95.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Car Sales Club

01616944299 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 TSI (204ps) R-Line eHybrid DSG 5-Door

Reduced

£35,990

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Hedge End

01489661105 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr [Panoramic Roof] Diesel Estate

Low Mileage

£21,052

2L
19.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Vertu Volkswagen Mansfield

01312025167 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2007 (57) - 2.0 Sport TDI 5dr

£1,995

2L
187.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ashtons Cars

02921676281 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 1.5 SEL TSI EVO 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
111.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Roy Needham Cars

01226448496 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) One Previ

£14,150

Finance available £270 pm

1.5L
82.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Cartime Rochdale

01615298277 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid R-Line 5dr DSG

£37,593

1.5L
4.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen South Oxford

01235429705 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Elegance 5dr DSG

Reduced

£38,998

1.5L
25.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Linwood)

01414068772 *

4.7/5 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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* 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.