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.

765 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£18,700

1.4L
45.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Loughborough

01509274556 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (63) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Alltrack DSG 4Motion Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£9,495

2L
81.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Hillington Motor Co Ltd

01414730658 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - GT TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY DSG 4-Door

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Smart Car Sales

01202052310 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 1.4 TSI GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps)

£6,699

Finance available £120 pm

1.4L
133.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Hilton Car Supermarket Milton Keynes

01908049370 *

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

Reduced

£10,499

2L
49.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Swindon Car Sales Ltd

01793680986 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£12,695

1.4L
95.1K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

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

£10,250

Finance available £207 pm

2L
85.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Greenhill Autos

01386573316 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion 4dr

Reduced

£3,775

Finance available £62 pm

1.6L
119.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motorline Car Sales

01162160117 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.6 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

£15,495

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Harding Motor Company Ltd

01513174813 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 4dr

£14,900

Finance available £311 pm

2L
78.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

McFadden Motors

02879440897 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (67) - 1.4 TSI R-Line 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£13,750

Finance available £285 pm

1.4L
49.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Chris W Roads Ltd

01773301938 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI EVO SEL Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,750

2L
126.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Windmill Motors Ltd

01778308209 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£6,489

Finance available £123 pm

2L
100.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Motorhub

01535281058 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 4dr

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

2L
53.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Meehan Motors

02890024612 *

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

£40,250

Finance available £806 pm

1.5L
367.0
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Basingstoke Volkswagen

01256634772 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (74) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Elegance 5dr DSG Estate

£37,982

1.5L
4.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

South Hereford Volkswagen Hereford

01432809890 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2009 - 2.0 Highline TDI CR DPF 5dr DSG

£2,995

2L
140.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Lane Williams Ltd

01278555737 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 Passat SE Business TDI BlueMotion Technology Semi-Auto 4dr

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

1.6L
109.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

AUTOHAUS CHELTENHAM LTD T/a Greatfield Cars & Commercials

01242501609 *

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

£11,299

Finance available £230 pm

2L
70.3K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Congleton Autos

01260543872 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR R-Line 5dr DSG

£20,899

Finance available £444 pm

2L
44.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

FOW Winsford

01606535848 *

4.3/5 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.

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