Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat buying guide

What Volkswagen Passat trim levels are there?

SE is where the Passat range kicks off. It's well equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, all-round parking sensors, automatic LED headlights, auto wipers, air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. SE Nav upgrades the touchscreen infotainment system to an eight-inch unit with built-in navigation on top of SE's standard-fit Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

SEL is one step up from SE trim and gains sharper-looking 17-inch alloys, leather upholstery, heated front seats and roof rails on estate versions. The infotainment system gets the built-in sat-nav upgrade as standard.

R-Line is Volkswagen's sporty answer to the likes of BMW's M Sport trim. You get larger 18-inch alloy wheels, lower sports suspension and a more aggressive R-Line body kit. Inside, there's ambient lighting, sporty part-leather upholstery, stainless steel pedals, three-zone climate control, keyless entry and starting, and a powered bootlid.

R-Line Edition gains even larger 19-inch alloys, adaptive suspension, black exterior styling details, clever LED matrix headlights and a 360-degree parking camera. You also get a larger 9.2-inch infotainment screen along with digital driver's dials.

GTE plug-in hybrid cars are similarly equipped to SEL models with a handful of PHEV-specific parts. GTE Advance takes R-Line Edition trim as the starting point for this range-topping plug-in hybrid version.

What's the Volkswagen Passat's interior and technology like?

The harshest criticism you can level at the Passat's interior is that it looks slightly dull, with a little too much black and dark-coloured trim pieces. That's where the bad points end, however, because the comfort and ease-of-use are faultless. The dials, whether analogue or digital, are easy to read and there are handy shortcut buttons for the infotainment system. Plus, you still get physical controls for the heater and air-con, which are easier to use on the move than touchscreen-only versions.

While the infotainment system now looks a little dated compared to more modern setups – including the one found in the most recent eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf – it's easy to get your head around. Most Passat models use at least an eight-inch screen with top models getting a larger 9.2-inch unit, both of which are refreshingly simple to navigate. All versions include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Passenger space in the Passat is really impressive. Of course, there isn't as much headroom as you'll find in an SUV like the Volkswagen Tiguan, but there's still enough room for tall adults to sit in the back without complaint – they'll also appreciate the generous legroom. Seating three across the rear row is a little tight, with elbow room at a premium, but is acceptable enough for short journeys. The boot is large enough for a pushchair or at least two big suitcases but, for maximum practicality, consider the Passat Estate with its vast, square cargo area.

Volkswagen Passat engine range explained

VW offers a selection of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines in the Passat, the latter of which being a great choice if you're a high-mileage driver. There's also a plug-in hybrid option that's ideal for commuting on electric power alone.

Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI EVO 150 petrol

This is the entry-level petrol engine for the Passat, available with either a manual or DSG automatic gearbox. It's still reasonably quick, however, with 150hp and a sub-nine-second 0-62mph time, so should be enough for most buyers.

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI 190 petrol

The upgraded petrol engine is a 2.0-litre unit that's also found in lots of other VW and Audi cars. With 190hp, the 0-62mph run is dispatched in just 7.5 seconds making this version quick in a straight line and more relaxed when joining fast-moving traffic.

Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI 120 diesel

This was previously the entry-level diesel engine for the Passat. It's a little grumbly and is noticeably slower than other engines in the lineup, but can return nearly 50mpg if driven gently.

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI EVO 122 diesel

VW replaced the 1.6-litre with a detuned 2.0-litre engine around 2021. This version makes 122hp so isn't much faster, but can average closer to 55mpg if you avoid hard acceleration.

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI EVO 150 diesel

The 150hp 2.0-litre diesel is a great match for the Passat and is one of the more popular models. The 0-62mph dash takes less than nine seconds, so this engine feels effortless when merging onto a fast motorway, but it can still average around 55mpg if you drive efficiently. 

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 190 diesel

The TDI 190 is an upgraded 190hp version of the same 2.0-litre diesel. Performance becomes much more urgent when you floor the accelerator, and it feels even less strained when driven casually. Models with this engine were optionally available with VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system giving better traction on loose surfaces.

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 200 diesel

Around 2021, the 190hp diesel was upgraded to 200hp, bringing a slight boost in performance, with a negligible impact on fuel economy.

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 BiTDI 240 4Motion diesel

This is a fairly rare engine in the Passat range. The 2.0-litre diesel gains a second turbocharger for an impressive 240hp, lowering the 0-62mph dash to a hot-hatch-rivalling 5.9 seconds.

Volkswagen Passat GTE 1.4 TSI PHEV plug-in hybrid

For a little more money, you can select the Passat GTE. This is a plug-in hybrid pairing a 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with an electric motor. The combo yields a total of 218hp so the 0-62mph run is completed in an impressive 7.6 seconds. Use both power sources carefully and you can see more than 200mpg average economy. Alternatively, if you can charge at home or at work, you can save the nearly 40-mile electric-only range for your daily commute.