In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Passat (2014-2021) review - MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

The Passat’s diesel-focused engine line guarantees great economy and low CO2 - and plug-in GTE offers a good alternative

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs Rating

4.0 out of 5

Find your Volkswagen Passat
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

Starting with the 1.6 TDI with 7-speed DSG gearbox, this engine returns up to 51.4mpg in SE and SE Nav trims. Moving to the 2.0 TDI, the 150PS version has either six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG auto options, which return up to 60.1mpg and 56.5mpg, respectively, in SE guise. The R-Line trim, with its bigger wheels, sees these figures drop to 58.9mpg and 55.4mpg for the manual and auto.

The 2.0 TDI 190PS only comes in SEL and R-Line specs with the DSG box, where it manages up to 50.4mpg. At the top of the range, the biTDI diesel takes a big hit under the new WLTP test, with claimed economy of up to 39.8mpg, demonstrating the combined penalty of added performance, the DSG gearbox and 4Motion four-wheel drive.

Opting for petrol power will obviously result in a dip in efficiency. The 1.5-litre unit, in SE trim, manages 47.1mpg, while the 2.0-litre TSI engine delivers 37.7mpg.

Emissions range from 101-151g/km, with the 2.0 TDI performing best. We'd recommend this engine for its combined efficiency and added power. All diesel Passats come with a 13-litre AdBlue tank to help reduce emissions, and this well need to be refilled every 5,000 miles or so.

The GTE model is one of the cheapest versions to run, especially if you regularly undertake short journeys and can keep its 13kWh battery topped up. You can charge the battery using the car’s engine but it’s far more economical to plug in – using a standard 2.3kW charging cable, the battery can be filled in around five hours to give an all-electric range of around 30 miles. You can hold onto this charge until required, or use it in tandem with the car’s petrol engine like a traditional hybrid.

Volkswagen claims combined fuel economy of 217.9mpg for the GTE saloon and 196mpg for the estate but it’s worth noting that you’ll only see such figures if the battery is full and you spend a large proportion of your time travelling under electric power. CO2 emissions are quoted at 33 and 32g/km respectively – London Congestion Charge exemption and the lowest possible company car tax are the result.

For non-company car users, the 1.5 TSI Evo petrol model might be attractive. Fuel economy claims range from 40.9-47.1mpg, wth the larger wheels and DSG gearbox contributing to the lower figure. It's a similar story with emissions, although a spread from 117-121g/km isn't quite as severe. 

Insurance groups

The 1.6 TDI Passat has the lowest insurance groups, with the entry-level S coming in at group 15. More expensive SE Business and GT manage group 21 and 22, while the 1.5 TSI Evo is also in group 21. The 2.0 BiTDI model sits in group 28, reflecting its higher performance.

Depreciation

Retained values for the Passat are reasonable for a large, business-focused saloon: there's a spread of around 35-41 per cent in terms of retained value after 3 years/36,000 miles. If you want to see a bit more of a return on your cash, then the Passat Estate is slightly better, at 33-43 per cent.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    1.5 TSI EVO SE 4dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £25,080

Most Economical

  • Name
    1.5 TSI EVO SE 4dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • Price
    £25,080

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 BiTDI SCR 240 R-Line 4MOTION 4dr DSG
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £40,335
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor on DrivingElectric.com and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

Most Popular

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front
News

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
29 Nov 2023
The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio
Auto Express editor-in-chief Steve Fowler holding a speaker developed by Warwick Acoustics
Features

The paper-thin speakers set to transform car audio

British firm is planning to shake up the in-car hi-fi world with its audio panels that replace traditional speakers. We sound them out
27 Nov 2023
New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash
BMW Neue Klasse SUV exclusive image - front
News

New BMW X3 replacement to grow in size and feature a minimalist dash

BMW’s first Neue Klasse electric SUV could carry the iX3 nameplate and our exclusive images preview how it might look
30 Nov 2023