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.

819 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Business DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,300

Finance available £208 pm

1.5L
97.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Star Cars London

02037726236 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 4dr DSG

Reduced

£13,995

2L
53.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

V12 Sports and Classics Stoke

01782432972 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE 4dr DSG

£15,995

Finance available £335 pm

1.4L
94.3K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Saloon

SMCARS (LTD)

02830447097 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (11) - 2.0 GT TDI CR BlueMotion Tech 5 seat Same owner since 2011 FSH Full MOT 4-Door

Low Mileage

£3,995

Finance available £67 pm

2L
92.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

German Cars

01934319960 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Reduced

£11,999

Finance available £246 pm

2L
81.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Jack Reid Cars Carrickfergus

02893448937 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SCR 190 R-Line 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£16,995

Finance available £357 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

MW Performance

01244569177 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI SE Business Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Ideal Car Centre Ltd

01902544596 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech R-Line 5dr

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

2L
92.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - R-Line 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door Auto

£41,073

1.5L
2.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Harlow

01279598864 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI SE Nav Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (122 ps)

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

2L
56.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Victoria Motors

01225437258 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG [Panoramic Roof] [7 Speed]

£16,499

Finance available £346 pm

2L
63.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

John Griffiths Cars Ltd

01778308207 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 5dr DSG

£17,450

Finance available £338 pm

2L
58.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Colin Francis Cars

02879441906 *

Volkswagen Passat2004 (54) - 1.9 TDI PD Highline 4dr

Low Mileage

£1,995

1.9L
138.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

F&d MOTOR GROUP LIMITED

01274089113 *

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

£3,495

Finance available £56 pm

2L
151.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

S & A CAR AND COMMERCIALS LIMITED

01782917213 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 1.6 TDI GT 4dr

£7,450

Finance available £144 pm

1.6L
103.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Carmichael Cars

02890023196 *

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

Reduced

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
116.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

MOTORSTOP WEST MIDLANDS LTD

01384885524 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.5 TSI EVO 150 R-Line 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

£12,549

Finance available £250 pm

1.5L
67.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

cinch

02039577378 *

4.3/5 Stars

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

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2L
134.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Northroute Cars

01143089078 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 eTSI Elegance 5dr DSG

£31,290

1.5L
6.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Worcester

01902240177 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (61) - 1.6 TDI Bluemotion Tech S 4dr

Reduced

£2,599

1.6L
149.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Fairfield Car Centre

01615196713 *

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.

Different generations of used Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen first introduced the Passat in 1973, making it one of the company's longest-running models. Over the years, it has been one of the manufacturer's more popular vehicles. Now in its ninth generation (B9), the Passat has more efficient powertrain options and high-tech features that continue to create excitement.

Seventh Generation (2024 to 2011)

Volkswagen lengthened the wheelbase of the Passat over the last version, allowing for more interior room. With this longer wheelbase design also came some additional height for a more spacious cabin. It shares the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan, but features a sleeker design.

Inside the cabin, the MIB4 infotainment system was added to the digital cockpit as a further technological enhancement. It also features voice control for various systems, including media and navigation, for less distraction while driving.

Fuel type:: Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.5 - 2
MPG:: 40 - 706
Acceleration:: 7.1 - 9.3 seconds
Boot space:: 510 - 690 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.5 eTSI Life 5dr DSG
Fastest
1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

Sixth Generation (2015 to 2023)

Volkswagen added a narrower grille to the B8 Passat as well as horizontal slats. The LED headlights were moved to the centre of the lower bar, but the overall style of the Passat didn't change in the eighth generation.

Inside the cabin, VW lifted the dashboard and made it incline more towards the windscreen. Volkswagen has also continued to install updated safety features with each passing year, so later models may feature more safety technology.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Hybrid - Petrol/Electric / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.4 - 2
MPG:: 39 - 470
Acceleration:: 5.8 - 11.5 seconds
Boot space:: 402 - 650 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG
Cheapest
1.4 TSI S 4dr
Fastest
2.0 TSI 272 R-Line 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Fifth Generation (2005 to 2014)

With the release of the B7, the front design was updated with chromed slats to the grille and rectangular headlights. The air intake and fog lights were moved to the bottom bumper and more contours were added.

A variety of refined and efficient petrol and diesel engines were also released. Plus, Volkswagen included models with leather upholstery for a premium feel.

Fuel type:: Diesel / Petrol
Engine Size:: 1.4 - 3.6
MPG:: 26 - 68
Acceleration:: 5.6 - 13.3 seconds
Boot space:: 461 - 603 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: 5 / 5 stars

Greenest
1.4 TSI Bluemotion Tech S 4dr
Cheapest
1.6 S FSI 4dr
Fastest
3.6 V6 R36 4MOTION 4dr DSG

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

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Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Pros