How much does the 2017 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 7.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 756 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $10,611.70, 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 roomy cabin and enjoyable driving experience also come through strongly in the feedback.

That lines up well with the Passat’s role as a roomy midsize sedan for everyday use, especially if you want a practical family car with a well-equipped cabin rather than a performance-first sedan. With 29.9% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s also a decent amount of market flexibility.

Is the 2017 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to reliability, low maintenance costs, and a car you can count on over time. That kind of language matters for used buyers because it suggests the Passat is more than just comfortable and efficient — it also has a reputation for dependable ownership.

The driving impressions reinforce that theme with a predictable, linear power delivery and a composed, steady character. If you’re shopping used, the main long-term risk is less about the basic formula and more about finding a well-kept example with a clean service history.

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 confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection so you can check for uneven wear, signs of poor bodywork, and any issues that might not show up in photos.

Focus especially on how the car presents as a whole: cabin condition, tire wear, braking feel, and whether the equipment works as expected. A clean-looking listing is not enough on its own when a sizable portion of the market has accident history.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S includes 16-inch alloys, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto headlights, a 5-inch touchscreen with reversing camera, cruise control, and forward-collision warning with auto braking. If you want blind-spot monitoring or VW App Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you need to move up from the base trim.
• Powertrain: The 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivers 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, with 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, and it reaches 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. The 3.6-liter V6 makes 280 hp and 258 lb-ft, but it returns 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway and is the one to avoid if you want better efficiency and lower running costs.
• Safety package: Every Passat above the base S gets blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, VW App Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and forward-collision warning with autonomous braking. The base trim misses those added convenience and safety features.
• Infotainment: The base car uses a 5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims can get a 6.3-inch screen. VW App Connect is available above the base trim, but there is no mention of wireless smartphone integration or over-the-air updates.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter engine is rated at 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while the 3.6-liter V6 is rated at 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

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:

• Base trim: The S is the value entry point, but it lacks blind-spot monitoring and VW App Connect, which are reserved for higher trims.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SE looks like the best balance because it adds keyless entry and ignition, push-button start, a sunroof, adaptive cruise, and rear air vents without jumping too far in price.
• Premium/top trim: The SEL Premium adds real leather upholstery, a driver memory system, power-folding mirrors, a Fender stereo, and a lane-departure warning system.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims here are aimed at off-road use.

Every Passat trim above the base S gets blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, VW App Connect, and forward-collision warning with autonomous braking.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 29.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 756 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 53.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,611.70, 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 $10,614 sits slightly below last year's $11,459.

That price movement suggests the Passat has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price. A softer market today can also make it easier for you to find a cleaner example without paying peak pricing.

If demand stays steady, a well-kept Passat should remain reasonably sellable because it appeals to shoppers who want comfort, space, and value. 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?

earns five-star ratings from NHTSA, with a four-star rating in the front-impact protection test. IIHS testing found it earning top marks in all categories.

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

The standard safety setup includes forward-collision warning with autonomous braking, and higher trims add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts. That means the base car is already well equipped, but you still need to move up the trim ladder for the full driver-assistance package.

The only notable caveat is the less-than-perfect front-impact result from NHTSA, so safety-conscious used buyers should pay close attention to trim level and equipment when comparing listings.

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:

• 29.9% 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 7.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Volkswagen simplified the trim lineup and made blind-spot monitoring, VW App Connect, and forward-collision warning standard above the base S.

Consider the 2016 if:

• At $9,540, the 2016 costs less than the current year's $10,614 average.
• It rewards buyers who value substance over flash.

Consider the 2018 if:

• At $12,295, the 2018 costs more than the current year's $10,614 average.
• It adds more power and a new GT trim.

The bottom line: The 2017 is the best pick if you want a well-equipped Passat with stronger safety content and solid value. If your priority is the lowest purchase price, the 2016 is the better budget path; if you want more power and can spend more, the 2018 is the upgrade to watch.

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