How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 1.40% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 773 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $9,122.51, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat a good car?

Yes — the 5/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the Passat earns an expert rating of 7.83/10. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

The 2016 Passat is framed as a midsize family sedan that rewards you if you value substance over flash. Its appeal comes from a roomy, practical setup, a comfortable ride, and a well-rounded driving impression rather than standout styling. That makes it a better fit if you want a sensible family car with solid everyday capability.

30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The Passat’s reliability picture is mixed in the broader market, but the model-year commentary points to a car that has earned mostly high marks from owners since its last redesign. The expert notes also suggest that complaints have centered more on infotainment than on mechanical issues, which is a useful distinction if you’re weighing day-to-day dependability.

The performance notes also support that view: the turbocharged engine is described as responsive, quick, and smooth, with strong low-end torque and relaxed highway manners. On the cost side, the review highlights good fuel economy and value, which can help offset ownership concerns if you buy a well-kept example.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright mechanical drama and more about choosing a car with a clean history and a well-maintained cabin and electronics.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

At 52.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing multiple trims or higher-mileage examples. Focus on condition, equipment completeness, and whether the car’s safety and convenience features work as expected. Because the Passat’s appeal depends heavily on how well it was maintained and equipped, a clean, well-documented example is worth more than a cheaper one with gaps in its history.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more of the safety and convenience equipment that makes the Passat easier to recommend. The R-Line is styled more aggressively, but it can leave out some family-car essentials.
• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder is the main engine in dealer stock, and it delivers strong low-end torque with regular gas and 29 mpg combined. The optional V6 is reserved for the top trim.
• Safety package: The Passat SE, SEL, and SEL Premium can reach Top Safety Pick+ status thanks to forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The base car still gets a reversing camera and automatic post-collision braking, but some advanced driver aids are trim dependent.
• Infotainment: Screen sizes start at 5 inches on the S and R-Line and move to 6.3 inches on SE, SEL, and SEL Premium models. App-Connect adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink on the larger system, and Car-Net is available there too.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says the Passat returns 29 mpg combined, and the review’s test loop returned 29.7 mpg. A harder-use video-shoot loop returned 24.8 mpg.

Which 2016 Volkswagen Passat trim should I buy?

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is offered in 5 trim levels: S, SE, R-Line, SEL, and SEL Premium.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The S is the most basic choice, and it misses the larger infotainment screen and several of the advanced safety and convenience features that make higher trims easier to live with.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SE is the best all-around pick because it adds the larger 6.3-inch screen, App-Connect smartphone projection, and key safety tech that the base car lacks.
• Premium/top trim: The SEL Premium adds the most luxury and tech, including the V6, premium audio, parking aids, and more advanced driver-assistance features.
• Off-road trim: The R-Line is more about appearance than added family-car usefulness, and it can leave out some of the safety tech you’d want in a daily driver.

The SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims are the ones that can reach Top Safety Pick+ status with the added forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

The market looks moderately favorable if you’re a selective buyer.

• Deal availability: 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 773 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.40% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,122.51, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat's resale value?

The current average of $9,540 sits slightly below last year's $9,676.

That softer pricing suggests the market is giving buyers a bit more leverage today than it was a year ago. If you buy well and keep the car in good condition, that can help you preserve value better than if you overpay for a rough example. The strongest resale prospects will likely come from cleaner, better-equipped trims with complete service records.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat safe?

The Passat earns Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the federal government.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Volkswagen’s safety packaging is a major strength here. The SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims add forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, which are the key reasons those versions reach Top Safety Pick+ status. Standard equipment also includes a reversing camera and automatic post-collision braking, and the SE can be optioned with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic reverse braking.

The main caveat is trim access: some of the most useful driver-assistance features are not available on every version, so you need to shop carefully if safety tech matters to you.

Should I buy a 2016 Volkswagen Passat or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 30.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Prices have softened 1.40% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Volkswagen’s safety packaging is especially strong this year, with Top Safety Pick+ capability on higher trims.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,614, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,540 average.
• It adds standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and VW App Connect across more trims.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it combines lower pricing with strong safety and solid owner satisfaction. If you’re willing to spend more for broader standard tech and safety coverage, the 2017 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.