Volkswagen Passat (sedan / Variant) · B8 (3G)
Generation 9 2014–2023
The MQB Passat: quieter, lighter and much more upmarket, with the EA288 diesels (150/190/240 BiTDI), 1.4/1.5/1.8/2.0 TSI petrols and the GTE plug-in. The 2.0 TDI 150 and 190 with wet DSG are the workhorses; Alltrack and BiTDI 4Motion are the desirable ones. Digital cockpit and LED lights mark the good specs.
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Recognition
How to tell it apart
- •Wide horizontal grille flowing into the headlights, sharp shoulder line, LED tail lights with horizontal bars
- •Facelift adds IQ.Light matrix option and 'Passat' lettering across the tailgate
2019 facelift
- New bumpers, IQ.Light LED matrix optional, revised tail lights
- Travel Assist, MIB3 infotainment; 2.0 TDI 150/190/240 continue, 1.5 TSI 150
- GTE with a larger battery (~55 km)
Engines
Engines
1.4 TSI · 125 hp
2014–2018
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Belt-driven EA211; adequate, economical, robust.
1.4 TSI ACT · 150 hp
2014–2018
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Cylinder deactivation; the good small petrol.
1.5 TSI ACT · 150 hp
2018–2023
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
EA211 evo; early hesitation fixed by software.
1.8 TSI · 180 hp
2014–2018
Petrol · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Quick, refined gen-3 EA888; water pump and early oil consumption.
2.0 TSI · 220 hp
2014–2018
Petrol · Dual-clutch automatic · FWD / AWD
GTI engine in a Passat; 4Motion available. Rare in Poland.
2.0 TSI 4Motion · 272 hp
2015–2023
Petrol · Dual-clutch automatic · AWD
The fast petrol Passat (280 hp on the facelift); rare, rewarding.
1.6 TDI · 120 hp
2014–2020
Diesel · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Frugal fleet diesel; slow with a load.
2.0 TDI · 150 hp
2014–2023
Diesel · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD / AWD
The volume B8: strong, economical, wet DSG 6/7; 4Motion available. Best value.
2.0 TDI · 190 hp
2014–2023
Diesel · Manual / Dual-clutch automatic · FWD / AWD
Quicker EA288 with 400 Nm; often 4Motion and Highline. The enthusiast's diesel Passat.
2.0 BiTDI 4Motion · 240 hp
2014–2020
Diesel · Dual-clutch automatic · AWD
Twin-turbo 240 hp diesel with DSG 7 wet and 4Motion; rare, fast, complex turbo system.
GTE 1.4 TSI plug-in hybrid · 218 hp
2015–2023
Plug-in hybrid · Dual-clutch automatic · FWD
Plug-in hybrid (~50 km range from 2019). Battery health matters; excellent company car.
| Engine | For sale now | Years | Gearbox · drive | Sought after | Robust | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1.4 TSI · 125 hp Petrol · 1.4 TSI · CZCA | 17 | 2014–2018 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Belt-driven EA211; adequate, economical, robust. | ||
1.4 TSI ACT · 150 hp Petrol · 1.4 TSI 150 · CZEA | 54 | 2014–2018 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Cylinder deactivation; the good small petrol. | ||
1.5 TSI ACT · 150 hp Petrol · 1.5 TSI · DADA / DPCA | 194 | 2018–2023 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | EA211 evo; early hesitation fixed by software. | ||
1.8 TSI · 180 hp Petrol · 1.8 TSI · CJSA (EA888 gen 3) | 127 | 2014–2018 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Quick, refined gen-3 EA888; water pump and early oil consumption. | ||
2.0 TSI · 220 hp Petrol · 2.0 TSI · CHHB | 50 | 2014–2018 | Dual-clutch automatic FWD / AWD | GTI engine in a Passat; 4Motion available. Rare in Poland. | ||
2.0 TSI 4Motion · 272 hp Petrol · 2.0 TSI 272/280 · CHHA / DNPA (280 hp facelift) | 17 | 2015–2023 | Dual-clutch automatic AWD | The fast petrol Passat (280 hp on the facelift); rare, rewarding. | ||
1.6 TDI · 120 hp Diesel · 1.6 TDI · DCXA (EA288) | 90 | 2014–2020 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Frugal fleet diesel; slow with a load. | ||
2.0 TDI · 150 hp Diesel · 2.0 TDI 150 · CRLB / DFGA (EA288) | 698 | 2014–2023 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD / AWD | The volume B8: strong, economical, wet DSG 6/7; 4Motion available. Best value. | ||
2.0 TDI · 190 hp Diesel · 2.0 TDI 190 · CUAA / DFCA (EA288) | 234 | 2014–2023 | Manual / Dual-clutch automatic FWD / AWD | Quicker EA288 with 400 Nm; often 4Motion and Highline. The enthusiast's diesel Passat. | ||
2.0 BiTDI 4Motion · 240 hp Diesel · 2.0 BiTDI · CUAA BiTurbo | 57 | 2014–2020 | Dual-clutch automatic AWD | Twin-turbo 240 hp diesel with DSG 7 wet and 4Motion; rare, fast, complex turbo system. | ||
GTE 1.4 TSI plug-in hybrid · 218 hp Plug-in hybrid · Passat GTE | 39 | 2015–2023 | Dual-clutch automatic FWD | Plug-in hybrid (~50 km range from 2019). Battery health matters; excellent company car. |
Versions
What the badges mean
Trendline
commonbase
2014–2023
Fleet base: LED tail lights, small screen.
Comfortline / Business
commonequipment line
2014–2023
Volume trim: alloys, Climatronic, Composition Media/Discover.
Highline / Elegance
uncommonequipment line
2014–2023
Top trim: LED headlights, ergoComfort seats, Alcantara/leather, larger wheels; Elegance on the facelift.
R-Line
uncommonequipment line
2015–2023
Sport styling and interior details; no mechanical change.
Alltrack
rarespecial edition
2015–2023
Raised Variant with 4Motion, cladding, off-road mode; 2.0 TDI 150/190/240 or 2.0 TSI.
GTE
uncommonperformance model
2015–2023
Plug-in hybrid with GTE styling and blue accents.
Options
Options that matter
uncommon
DCC adaptive chassis
Comfort/handling upgrade; uncommon.
uncommon
IQ.Light LED Matrix (facelift) / LED headlights
Matrix on the facelift; full LED earlier. Big night-driving upgrade.
uncommon
ACC / Travel Assist
Long-distance assistance.
uncommon
ergoComfort seats with massage / ventilation
Excellent seats with massage; Highline marker.
uncommon
Active Info Display
Digital cluster; marker of a high spec.
rare
Head-up display
Rare on Passat.
rare
Dynaudio Confidence sound
Premium audio.
common
Area View cameras / rear camera
Useful.
uncommon
Panoramic roof
Light.
uncommon
Leather / Alcantara (Nappa)
Highline option.
rare
Webasto parking heater
Valued; rare.
common
Heated seats / heated windscreen
Valued.
common
Keyless Access
Keyless.
common
Electric tailgate (Easy Open)
Convenience.
common
Electrically folding tow bar
Very common on Variant.
common
18–19 inch wheels
Visual.
Before you buy
What to know
Strengths
- +EA288 diesels are strong and economical; wet DSG on 2.0 TDI
- +Quiet, comfortable, huge boot; refined cabin
- +Deep market with fleet-maintained cars
Expensive when they fail
DSG 7 dry-clutch mechatronicsIQ.Light headlampsBiTDI turbo systemGTE battery
Polish market
Poland's most common company estate: 2.0 TDI 150 Comfortline Variant everywhere. 190 hp Highline 4Motion and Alltrack with documented history are the ones worth travelling for.
Known weak points
- seriousDry DSG 7 (DQ200) on 1.4/1.5 TSI and 1.6 TDIMechatronic and clutch failures; wet DSG on 2.0 engines is robust.Check: Feel for judder; ask about mechatronic work.
- moderateEGR cooler, DPF and AdBlue (EA288)EGR cooler leaks, DPF regeneration issues, AdBlue faults on facelift cars.Check: Ask about EGR/DPF/AdBlue work and warning lights.
- moderateEA888 gen-3 water pump and oil consumption (1.8/2.0 TSI)Plastic water pump housing leaks; some early engines consume oil.Check: Ask about coolant loss and oil consumption.
- moderateBiTDI turbo systemTwo turbos with complex control; expensive when it fails.Check: Ask for turbo/actuator history; listen for boost leaks.
- noteHaldex 4Motion serviceHaldex oil and filter every 60,000 km.Check: Ask for Haldex service records.
- moderateGTE batteryState of health drives value and range.Check: Ask for a battery health report.
- moderateFleet mileageMost B8s are ex-fleet; 250,000+ km is normal and odometers on imports are sometimes corrected.Check: Ask for VIN, service records and inspection history.
- noteElectronicsOccasional Active Info Display, parking sensor and MIB freezes.Check: Test all screens and sensors.
From the market
Real cars on sale right now
From the market
Engines actually on sale
Grouped from 1582 live listings: what people are selling, at what price and mileage.
| Engine | Share | Typical price | Median mileage | Gearbox · drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2.0 Diesel · 150 hp 2.0 TDI SCR Style DSG | 43% | 53 900 PLN | 191 063 km | Automatic / Manual · FWD / AWD |
1.5 Petrol · 150 hp 1.5 TSI EVO Business DSG | 13% | 66 999 PLN | 127 260 km | Automatic / Manual · FWD / AWD |
2.0 Diesel · 190 hp 2.0 TDI BMT Highline DSG | 11% | 59 900 PLN | 210 000 km | Automatic / Manual · FWD / AWD |
1.8 Petrol · 180 hp 1.8 TSI BMT Highline DSG | 6% | 54 000 PLN | 170 000 km | Automatic / Manual · FWD |
1.6 Diesel · 120 hp 1.6 TDI BMT Trendline | 5% | 38 900 PLN | 222 838 km | Manual / Automatic · FWD |
2.0 Petrol · 190 hp 2.0 TSI Business DSG | 4% | 81 900 PLN | 126 220 km | Automatic · FWD |
2.0 Diesel · 240 hp 2.0 TDI Bi-Turbo BMT 4Mot Highline DSG | 4% | 58 490 PLN | 235 500 km | Automatic · AWD / FWD |
2.0 Diesel · 200 hp 2.0 TDI Elegance DSG | 3% | 85 000 PLN | 139 871 km | Automatic · AWD / FWD |
From the market
Price by model year
Typical price and mileage for each model year on sale.
From the market
Most common versions
- EVO Business94
- BMT Highline80
- BMT Comfortline66
- SCR Style48
- SCR Comfortline40
- SCR Highline36
- Business31
- EVO Elegance26
From the market
Equipment seen most often
Electric front windows 98%ESP stability control 97%Leather steering wheel 95%Radio 93%Multifunction steering wheel 93%Rain sensor 93%Electric rear windows 93%Rear parking sensors 93%Start/stop system 93%ABS 93%Passenger airbag 93%Isofix child seat anchors 93%Front armrest 90%Driver airbag 90%
Our picks
Versions worth looking for
2.0 TDI 190 Highline 4Motion Variant, documented
The complete Passat: quick, economical, well equipped.
2.0 TDI 150 Comfortline Variant with DSG, private owner
The value pick with the durable engine.
Alltrack 2.0 TDI 190/240
Rare, capable, holds value.