How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 3.02% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 779 listings available, you have a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $9,110.80, 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 expert score is 7.83/10.

The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

The 2016 Passat is a midsize family sedan that rewards you if you value substance over flash. Its appeal comes from a roomy, practical setup, conservative styling that should age well, and a driving character that feels more capable than its reputation suggests. The tradeoff is that it is not the most exciting-looking choice, and its image has been weighed down by factors outside the driving experience.

With 25.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitive price if you shop carefully.

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 expert material: it is described as having average reliability predictions, but the same material also notes that mechanically it has earned mostly high marks from owners since the 2012 redesign. That combination suggests you should separate infotainment complaints from broader mechanical concerns when you evaluate a used one.

The expert review also points to strong fuel efficiency and value as part of the ownership equation, which helps offset some of the concern around cost-of-ownership perceptions. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is ending up with a car that has been maintained poorly or has unresolved electronics issues.

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

At 53.5% 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 careful pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a higher-mileage example. Focus on body condition, repair quality, and whether the car’s equipment works as intended, since the model’s reputation has been shaped in part by concerns beyond basic drivability.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S trim starts with the smallest 5-inch screen, while SE, SEL, and SEL Premium move to a larger 6.3-inch display and add more convenience and safety content. The R-Line brings styling changes, but the content notes that it cannot be paired with some key safety technologies, which makes it a less complete family-car choice.
• Powertrain: Most examples use a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and the engine is tuned for strong low-end pull rather than high-rev drama. The optional V6 is reserved for the top SEL Premium trim.
• Safety package: The Passat earns Top Safety Pick status, and SE, SEL, and SEL Premium versions meet Top Safety Pick+ standards thanks to forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Standard equipment includes a reversing camera and automatic post-collision braking, while blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control are added or expanded on higher trims.
• Infotainment: The base setup uses a 5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims get a 6.3-inch display with App-Connect for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. Car-Net subscription features and navigation are available on higher-spec versions, and the top trims add a premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The Passat is rated at 29 mpg in combined driving, and the review also records 29.7 mpg on a 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 comes with the smallest infotainment screen and the fewest convenience features. It makes sense if your priority is simply getting the Passat’s roomy, comfortable basics at the lowest price.
• SE: This is the best-value trim because it adds the larger 6.3-inch screen, App-Connect smartphone integration, adaptive cruise control, and the key forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems. If you want the strongest mix of price, equipment, and safety, this is the trim to target.
• R-Line: This trim is mainly about appearance, with dark gray 19-inch wheels and styling changes. It is less compelling if you want the most useful family-car equipment, especially because the content notes that some important safety tech cannot be paired with it.
• SEL: This trim builds on the SE with more premium convenience and safety content, including standard blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert, navigation, and a Fender sound system. 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 V6, front and rear parking sensors, Parking Steering Assistant, active blind-spot technology, and lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist. It is the right pick if you want the most features and do not mind paying for them.

The safety-package sweet spot is the SE and above, since those trims unlock the strongest crash-avoidance content.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you are patient.

• Deal availability: 25.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 779 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.02% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 53.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,110.80, 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 $9,391 sits slightly below last year's $9,683.

That price movement suggests the Passat has softened enough to create a better entry point for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face some pressure if the market keeps favoring lower-priced examples. If you buy well and keep the car in strong condition, you can help protect your exit value. Trim choice and maintenance history will matter more than cosmetic appeal when it comes time to resell.

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 a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims meet Top Safety Pick+ standards. It also earns a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA.

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

The safety package is a major strength here. Standard equipment includes a reversing camera and automatic post-collision braking, while forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking are standard on SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims. Blind-spot warning with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert is available on the SE and standard on the SEL and SEL Premium, and the SEL Premium adds active blind-spot intervention plus lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist.

One important caveat is that the R-Line cannot be paired with some of the key safety technologies, so it is not the best choice if safety content is your top priority.

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:

• 25.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 53.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.02% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Volkswagen’s 2016 update adds stronger safety packaging and a more modern infotainment setup.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,599, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,391 average.
• It simplifies the trim lineup and makes more safety and smartphone features standard above the base trim.

The bottom line: If you want the better bargain, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it combines a lower average price with strong safety and solid owner satisfaction. If you are willing to spend more for a newer model with broader standard safety and connectivity content, the 2017 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.