Used 2016 Volkswagen Passat for Sale nearColumbia, SC

How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 4.39% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 845 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Volkswagen Passat earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

It is positioned as a midsize family sedan that prioritizes practicality over flash, and the overview frames it as a strong value for buyers who look past its conservative styling. The expert review also points to its straightforward, everyday mission and notes that it can be overlooked despite being an excellent midsize family sedan.

You should weigh that against the market signal that 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

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

The overview and expert review both point to average reliability predictions as a real consideration, even though the car is described as mechanically solid and appealing to buyers who value practicality. The performance writeup also emphasizes a strong, torquey turbocharged engine and a composed driving character, which supports the case for everyday dependability.

The cost-effectiveness notes add that the Passat has earned mostly high marks from owners since its last redesign, and the review highlights good fuel economy for a large sedan. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that reputation and reliability perceptions may weigh on confidence even when the car itself appears to be a strong value.

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

At 55.5% 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 are considering a higher-trim car with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the features you want are actually present on the specific listing.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S trim uses a smaller 5-inch touchscreen, while SE, SEL, and SEL Premium models get a larger 6.3-inch screen and more available equipment. The R-Line adds sport-themed styling, but it does not automatically bring the safety and infotainment upgrades some shoppers may expect.
• 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. The engine is tuned for regular gas and returns 29 mpg in combined driving.
• Safety package: The Passat includes a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking system and a reversing camera. SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims add forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, while blind-spot warning with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert is standard on SEL and SEL Premium and optional on SE.
• Infotainment: The base S and R-Line use a 5-inch touchscreen, while SE, SEL, and SEL Premium get a 6.3-inch display. App-Connect brings Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink, and Car-Net is available with the larger system.
• Fuel efficiency: The review cites 29 mpg in combined driving, and the test loop returned 29.7 mpg. The cost-effectiveness section also notes 24.8 mpg during a more demanding drive cycle.

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 path into the Passat, but it comes with the smaller 5-inch infotainment screen and fewer of the convenience and safety upgrades found higher up. It makes sense if you want the lowest entry price and can live without the richer feature set.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the larger 6.3-inch screen, App-Connect smartphone integration, and key safety upgrades. It is the trim to target if you want the strongest mix of equipment and value.
• R-Line: Choose this if you care most about the sport-themed appearance package and want the darker, more distinctive look. It is more about style than added capability, and the review notes that some desirable safety and infotainment features are not available with it.
• SEL: This trim builds on the SE with more standard safety and convenience equipment, including blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors. It suits you if you want a more fully equipped sedan without going all the way to the top model.
• SEL Premium: This is the most fully equipped Passat, adding the strongest safety and parking tech along with the premium audio and navigation content described in the review. It is the right pick if you want the most features and are willing to pay for them.

The safety package is thoughtfully arranged, but some desirable driver-assistance features are not available on the R-Line.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer's market.

• Deal availability: 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 845 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.39% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,110, 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 $9,256 sits slightly below last year's $9,680.

That downward move suggests the Passat is still a value-oriented used buy rather than a model with strong short-term appreciation potential. If you plan to sell later, the current pricing trend implies you should expect a market that rewards condition, equipment, and clean history more than brand prestige.

The good news is that the lower entry price can help you buy in at a more favorable point, which may soften depreciation pressure over your ownership period. 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 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 equips the Passat with a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking system and a reversing camera. SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims add forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and the SEL and SEL Premium also include blind-spot warning with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment.

There is a trim-level gap to keep in mind: the R-Line does not get the same safety feature availability as the better-equipped trims, so you should verify the exact equipment on any listing you consider.

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:

• 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.39% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Expert or safety highlight specific to this year from the review: it adds a stronger safety package and a more modern infotainment setup.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,513, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,256 average.
• It adds standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and smartphone integration on more trims.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2016 is the smarter buy because pricing is softer and inventory is healthy. If you are willing to spend more for a newer setup with broader standard safety and connectivity, the 2017 is the cleaner upgrade.

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 and a stronger deal share, while the Camry costs more on the used market. The Passat also has the better highway fuel economy and a higher accident-free share in the listings data shown here. The Camry brings slightly more horsepower, but the Passat looks like the better value if you want a roomy midsize sedan with a lower entry price.

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