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.

766 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 1.6 TDI SE Business 4dr

£8,000

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Sean Kearney Cars

02890026883 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

£7,850

Finance available £153 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Emerald Car Sales

02890023618 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (59) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Highline Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (140

Reduced

£3,700

Finance available £60 pm

2L
94.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Richardsons Car Sales

01522458038 *

4.8/5 Stars

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 (68) - 2.0 TDI GT Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s)

£13,299

Finance available £275 pm

2L
74.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

AW Car House Ltd

01827213842 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2024 - R-Line 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272PS 6-speed DSG Automatic 5-Door

£44,000

1.5L
6.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

Reduced

£33,450

1.5L
5.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Portsmouth

02392004522 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (64) - 1.6 TDI SE Business 5dr

£4,295

Finance available £74 pm

1.6L
155.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

J26 Vans & Trucks Limited

01156977778 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Sport 4dr

Reduced

£2,495

2L
165.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Durdar Garage

01228273232 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (2G) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 150 bhp

Low Mileage

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

2L
58.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Carjoy UK Limited

01224019779 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Business 4dr

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

1.6L
190.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Cr motors

01274028307 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE DSG 5-Door

£17,487

Finance available £353 pm

1.4L
41.7K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Carsupermarket.com Newcastle

01916070812 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 SE Business - 2019 MODEL - COMPANY OWNED - MOTORWAY MILES 4-Door

£6,495

Finance available £123 pm

1.5L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

LEASE CARS DIRECT LTD

01502441274 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,300

Finance available £376 pm

2L
26.1K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nuneaton Car Sales Ltd

02475187138 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (09) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion 2 Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (110 ps)

Reduced

£2,698

2L
103.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Deeside Motor Centre Ltd

01244565351 *

4.6/5 Stars

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 Passat2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£13,495

Finance available £279 pm

1.4L
86.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Surecar Direct

01172447335 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Sport 4dr

£2,500

2L
170.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Staffords Autos

01164646119 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 (12) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 5dr DSG

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
126.7K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Swift Car Sales Lillyhall

01900511074 *

0/5 Stars

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 *

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

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.