Used 2017 Volkswagen Passat for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2017 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 5.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 794 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare on price and condition.

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, and value for money, and they also highlight the spacious interior and enjoyable driving experience. The overview points to a sedan that emphasizes comfort, fuel efficiency, and value, which fits well if you want a practical family car rather than something flashy. With 30.0% 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.

The owner summary also calls out reliability directly, along with low maintenance costs and a trouble-free ownership experience. The expert notes reinforce that the Passat’s 1.8-liter turbo delivers usable power with predictable, linear response, which supports an easy-to-live-with character. If you’re buying used, the main ownership risk is less about the car’s basic appeal and more about finding one that has been maintained well and hasn’t been neglected.

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

At 52% 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’re comparing multiple listings at similar prices. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and signs of prior bodywork so you can separate a clean example from one that only looks good online.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S gives you a 5-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto headlights, and forward-collision warning with auto braking. Moving up to the R-Line adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, VW App Connect, heated front seats with power for the driver, and a larger 6.3-inch touchscreen, while the SE adds keyless entry, push-button start, a sunroof, adaptive cruise, and rear air vents. The SEL Premium adds real leather upholstery, a Fender stereo, a lane-departure warning system, power for the front passenger seat, and a driver memory system.
• Powertrain: The 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder delivers 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, with 23 mpg city, 34 highway, and 27 combined. The 3.6-liter V6 makes 280 hp and 258 lb-ft, reaches 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, and returns 20 mpg city, 28 highway, and 23 combined.
• Safety package: Every Passat gets forward-collision warning with autonomous braking. Above the base S, you also get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts and VW App Connect for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL Premium adds a lane-departure warning system.
• Infotainment: The base model uses a 5-inch touchscreen, the R-Line upgrades to a 6.3-inch screen, and the Technology Package adds an upgraded infotainment system with navigation and 8 speakers. VW App Connect is included above the base S.
• Fuel efficiency: The 1.8-liter engine is rated at 23 mpg city and 34 highway, while the 3.6-liter V6 is rated at 20 mpg city and 28 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:

• S: This is the value starting point if you want the Passat’s core strengths without stretching the budget. You get the standard safety tech, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate control, and the basic touchscreen setup, but you miss out on blind-spot monitoring and VW App Connect.
• R-Line: This trim adds the features many shoppers will want most, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and VW App Connect, plus heated front seats and a larger touchscreen. It’s the best-value choice if you want the biggest jump in everyday convenience and safety tech without moving too far up the price ladder.
• SE: This is the sweet spot if you want more comfort and convenience, including keyless entry, push-button start, a sunroof, adaptive cruise, and rear air vents. It also pairs well with the Technology Package if you want a more complete feature set.
• SEL Premium: This is the most upscale choice, with real leather, a Fender stereo, 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.

Above the base S, the Passat adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts and VW App Connect, while every trim keeps forward-collision warning with autonomous braking.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on a strong listing.

• Deal availability: 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 794 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $10,533, 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 $10,578 sits slightly below last year's $11,154.

That softer pricing suggests the Passat has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future resale stability if you buy at the right price. For a later seller, the key advantage is that you’re starting from a lower entry point than a year ago, which can reduce the risk of overpaying today. Strong value positioning and broad family-sedan appeal should help keep demand steady, especially for well-kept examples.

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?

The 2017 Volkswagen Passat earns five-star ratings from NHTSA, with a four-star rating in front-impact protection, and IIHS found it earned top marks in all categories.

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

Every Passat gets forward-collision warning with autonomous braking, and trims above the base S add blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts and VW App Connect. The SEL Premium also adds a lane-departure warning system. The main caveat is the lower front-impact result from NHTSA, and braking performance is only average.

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:

• 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.16% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds standard blind-spot monitoring above the base trim and makes forward-collision warning standard across the lineup.

Consider the 2016 if:

• At $9,059, the 2016 costs less than the current year's $10,578 average.
• It’s a straightforward family sedan with a more overlooked market profile.

Consider the 2018 if:

• At $12,460, the 2018 costs more than the current year's $10,578 average.
• It adds a more powerful base engine and a new GT trim for more sportiness.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, safety tech, and owner satisfaction, the 2017 is the strongest starting point. If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, the 2016 can save you money, while the 2018 makes sense if you want the newer powertrain and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.