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.

797 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,995

2L
146.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Harris Motor Group

01924942328 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG Auto

£33,314

1.5L
7.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (74) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

Reduced

£38,990

1.5L
1.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Coventry

02476936618 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

£2,500

1.6L
127.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Widowhill Cars

01282506567 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 (22) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£15,700

1.5L
66.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carworld Superstore

01733978043 *

4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2008 - 2.0 TDI CR 4dr - Only 70,000 Miles - Servie history. - 1 Owner -

Low Mileage

£2,795

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Llandarcy Car Sales

01639501388 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 4dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

Low Mileage

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

2L
56.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Supreme Motors NI

02882449414 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 Elegance 5dr DSG Auto

Low Mileage

£37,780

1.5L
3.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall SKODA Harlow

01279594532 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 SE Business 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£17,299

Finance available £364 pm

1.5L
20.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 - SE BUSINESS TDI BLUEMOTION TECH DSG 5-Door

£7,295

Finance available £141 pm

2L
129.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Dhillon Motor Co

02392000337 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
99.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Mike Wells Cars Ltd

01933421770 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO S Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£10,168

Finance available £205 pm

1.5L
62.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

GAH AUTOS LTD

01777801476 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)+1 OWNER FROM

£12,990

1.5L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Fish For Motors Ltd

01204939523 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£21,998

1.5L
20.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2012 - 2.0 TSI Sport 5-Door

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
113.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Ls Automotive Ltd

01953661927 *

Volkswagen Passat2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI R-Line DSG Euro 5 5dr

Low Mileage

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

2L
111.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Rother Valley Cars

01412601328 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 2.0 BiTDI SCR 240 R-Line 4MOTION 4dr DSG

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

2L
87.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Belt Motor Group

01384881241 *

Volkswagen Passat2008 (58) - 2.0 TDI Highline DSG Euro 4 4dr

Low Mileage

£3,999

Finance available £67 pm

2L
55.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

WHEELS 4 LESS NORFOLK LTD

01603937331 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 1.8 TSI R-Line 4-Door

Reduced

£14,399

Finance available £299 pm

1.8L
58.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Chastons Motor Company Limited

01495360311 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat(59) - 3.6 FSI V6 R36 DSG 4Motion 5dr

Low Mileage

£11,290

Finance available £230 pm

77.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Auto Haus

01274087673 *

4.5/5 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

lite-youtube[videoid='g1Gl6ZQuRls']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/g1Gl6ZQuRls/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='g1Gl6ZQuRls']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

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

* 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.

Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Pros