Used 2016 Volkswagen Passat for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 4.23% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 835 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Passats to compare.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat a good car?

Yes — it earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

The Passat is positioned as a midsize family sedan that prioritizes practicality over flash, and that shows up in its straightforward mission and roomy, everyday usability. Its conservative styling and average reliability reputation work against it, but the underlying package is described as a strong value for shoppers who look past the surface.

33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

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

The Passat’s cost-of-ownership and reliability picture is mixed, but the expert review notes that Consumer Reports expects average reliability and that owners have generally given the car high marks since the 2012 redesign. The performance write-up also points to a strong, torque-rich turbocharged engine and a smooth automatic transmission, which supports the sense that the car is built to handle daily use well.

The infotainment system has been a recurring complaint, so that is worth checking carefully on any used example. For a used buyer, the main long-term ownership risk is that reputation and electronics concerns may weigh on satisfaction even if the mechanical package feels solid.

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

At 55.4% 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 careful inspection of bodywork, safety equipment, and interior electronics. Because the Passat’s reputation is shaped partly by reliability concerns and infotainment complaints, you’ll want to confirm that the cabin tech works properly and that the car has been maintained consistently.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S trim starts with the smallest 5-inch screen, while SE, SEL, and SEL Premium models get a larger 6.3-inch display and more available safety and convenience equipment. The base trim also lacks the forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking that help define the better-equipped versions.
• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder makes 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and the review says it feels stronger than the numbers suggest. It also returns strong fuel economy, with the expert noting 29 mpg in combined driving.
• Safety package: The Passat includes a named suite of forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking on SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims, and those versions meet Top Safety Pick+ standards. The base S and R-Line do not get those systems.
• Infotainment: The system uses touchscreen displays, Bluetooth calling and music streaming, and a USB port. Screen size starts at 5 inches on S and R-Line trims and rises to 6.3 inches on SE, SEL, and SEL Premium models; App-Connect adds Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink on the larger system.
• Fuel efficiency: The expert reports 29 mpg in combined driving, and the review also notes 24.8 mpg during a more demanding test loop.

Which 2016 Volkswagen Passat trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the least expensive way into the Passat, but it also brings the smallest 5-inch infotainment screen and misses the more advanced safety and convenience features found higher up the range. It makes sense if your priority is the lowest purchase price and you can live without the extra equipment.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the larger 6.3-inch screen, App-Connect smartphone integration, and the key safety upgrades that make the Passat much easier to recommend. It also gets the forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking that the base trim lacks.
• R-Line: This trim adds sport-themed styling and 19-inch wheels, but the review makes clear that it does not get the safety technologies the writer considers essential in a family car. It is best for you only if appearance matters more than feature content.
• SEL: This trim builds on the SE with more premium equipment, including navigation and additional safety content. It suits you if you want a more upscale Passat without going all the way to the top model.
• SEL Premium: This is the most fully equipped Passat, adding the strongest safety and convenience package, including parking aids and the most advanced driver-assistance content. It is the right pick if you want the most complete version and are willing to pay for it.

The safety-package sweet spot is the SE and above, since that is where the Passat gets the most important driver-assistance features.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop carefully and enough deal activity to reward patience.

• Deal availability: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 835 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.23% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,111, 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 $9,173 sits slightly below last year's $9,578.

That decline suggests the Passat has softened in the used market, which can help you buy at a more favorable price today. For a future seller, that also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, equipment, and how well the car has been maintained.

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 2016 Volkswagen Passat earns a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

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

Volkswagen’s forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems are standard on SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims, and those versions meet Top Safety Pick+ standards. The Passat also includes standard automatic post-collision braking and a reversing camera, while blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on SEL and SEL Premium trims.

The main caveat is that the strongest safety package is not universal across the lineup, so you should verify which trim you are considering before you buy.

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:

• 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.23% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year: it earns Top Safety Pick status and adds standard automatic post-collision braking.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,548, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,173 average.
• It adds standard blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts on trims above the base S.

The bottom line: If you want the lower purchase price and a broad used-market selection, the 2016 is the better starting point. If you are willing to spend more for added standard safety and smartphone connectivity, the 2017 is the cleaner upgrade; price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2016 SE.

How does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat compare to the 2016 Toyota Camry?

Our experts score the 2016 Volkswagen Passat 7.8/10 and the 2016 Toyota Camry 7.2/10. The Passat gives you the lower average used price, stronger highway fuel economy, and a better deal share in the market. The Camry is pricier on average, but it has more listings and a slightly stronger engine output. If you want the better value proposition, the Passat stands out; if you want a broader shopping pool, the Camry has the edge.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.