Used 2017 Volkswagen Passat for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2017 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 6.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 770 listings available, you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare before you commit.

If you find a listing below $10,539.02, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat a good car?

Yes — the 2017 Volkswagen Passat earns a 4.86/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, fuel efficiency, value for money, and spacious interior. The overview also points to a roomy sedan with modern connectivity and a practical, well-equipped cabin, which fits you well if you want everyday comfort and usability over flash. With 29.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you room to shop selectively.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback also highlights reliability, low maintenance costs, and a trouble-free ownership experience, which supports the case for buying used with confidence. The expert drive notes that the Passat delivers usable, real-world power and a predictable, linear response, which reinforces the sense that it’s built for dependable daily use. If you buy one, your main long-term risk is choosing a neglected example, so condition and service history matter more than mileage alone.

What should I look for when buying a used 2017 Volkswagen Passat?

At 53.8% 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 the car has had any prior damage. Focus on body condition, repair quality, and whether the cabin and electronics still feel consistent with the mileage. Because this model is often bought for comfort and practicality, you’ll want to make sure the interior, ride quality, and safety equipment all still work as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S includes a 5-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, dual-zone auto climate control, auto headlights, cruise control, and forward-collision warning with auto braking. Moving up adds blind-spot monitoring, VW App Connect, heated front seats, power driver adjustment, a larger touchscreen, and other convenience features, so the lower trim is the one where you feel the biggest equipment gap.
• Powertrain: The 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivers 170 hp, 184 lb-ft of torque, and 23 mpg city, 34 highway, and 27 combined. The 3.6-liter V6 makes 280 hp and 258 lb-ft, but it carries a bigger fuel penalty at 20 mpg city, 28 highway, and 23 combined.
• Safety package: The standard setup includes forward-collision warning with autonomous braking, and higher trims add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts plus VW App Connect. The base S misses some of those convenience and driver-assistance upgrades.
• Infotainment: The base car uses a 5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims can get a 6.3-inch unit and an upgraded system with navigation. Wireless phone integration and over-the-air capability are not stated.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter engine returns 23 mpg city, 34 highway, and 27 combined. The 3.6-liter V6 returns 20 mpg city, 28 highway, and 23 combined.

Which 2017 Volkswagen Passat trim should I buy?

The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is offered in 4 trim levels: S, R-Line, SE, SEL Premium.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the value entry point if you want the Passat’s roomy cabin, dual-zone climate control, reversing camera, and standard forward-collision warning without paying for extras. It gives you the core sedan experience, but you give up the convenience and connectivity upgrades that make the higher trims feel more modern.
• R-Line: This trim adds blind-spot monitoring, VW App Connect, heated front seats, power driver adjustment, a larger touchscreen, and a more distinctive appearance. It’s the best fit if you want the biggest jump in features for the money, though the 19-inch wheels may not be ideal if ride comfort matters most.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds keyless entry, push-button start, a sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and rear air vents while keeping the price increase reasonable. If you want a well-rounded daily driver with the right mix of comfort and convenience, this is the trim to target.
• SEL Premium: This is the most upscale choice, with real leather upholstery, a Fender stereo, power-folding mirrors, a driver memory system, and a lane-departure warning system. It makes sense if you want the most premium Passat experience and are willing to pay for it.

The safety-package upgrades are especially important on trims above the base S, since they bring the blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts that improve everyday confidence.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2017 Volkswagen Passat?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 29.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 770 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 53.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,539.02, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat's resale value?

The current average of $10,686 sits slightly below last year's $11,429.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend heavily on condition, trim, and documentation rather than broad market momentum. Well-kept examples should hold up better than neglected ones because buyers still respond to the Passat’s comfort and value story.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.86/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat safe?

It earns a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a four-star rating in front-impact protection, and top marks from IIHS.

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard safety suite includes forward-collision warning with autonomous braking, and higher trims add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. That means you get a solid baseline right away, but you’ll want to pay attention to trim level if you want the extra driver-assistance coverage. The only notable caveat in the safety testing is the less-than-perfect front-impact result from NHTSA.

Should I buy a 2017 Volkswagen Passat or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2017 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2017 if:

• 29.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 53.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 6.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Volkswagen simplified the lineup and made key safety and connectivity features standard on higher trims.

Consider the 2016 if:

• At $9,403, the 2016 costs less than the current year's $10,686 average.
• It suits buyers who value substance over flash.

Consider the 2018 if:

• At $12,222, the 2018 costs more than the current year's $10,686 average.
• It adds more power and a new GT trim.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety, and everyday comfort, the 2017 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2016 can save you money, while the 2018 makes sense if you want more power and are willing to pay extra for it.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.