2016 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2017 Volkswagen Passat
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat and 2017 Volkswagen Passat contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2016 Volkswagen Passat and the 2017 Volkswagen Passat.
When comparing the 2016 Volkswagen Passat's and the 2017 Volkswagen Passat's specifications and ratings, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency. The 2016 Volkswagen Passat and 2017 Volkswagen Passat have the same interior volume, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat's and the 2017 Volkswagen Passat's specifications and ratings, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat is a better car than the 2017 Volkswagen Passat.
Pricing: A used 2016 Volkswagen Passat ranges from $7,993 to $16,997 while a used 2017 Volkswagen Passat is priced between $9,499 to $18,989.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat and the 2017 Volkswagen Passat both lose 43.1 percent of their value.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Passat is 8.5 out of 10. Volkswagen Passat is ranked 8 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Volkswagen Passat is 7.9 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2016 Volkswagen Passat and the 2017 Volkswagen Passat makes 170 horsepower. The Passat is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 703 miles. The Passat is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 629 miles. This gives the 2016 Volkswagen Passat the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2017 Volkswagen Passat. The Passat uses gasoline, and the Passat uses regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Passat has an average safety rating of 4.86 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,440
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$24,126
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,495 - $38,750
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$22,440
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
$23,324
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$21,600 - $34,475
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$12,292
Price Range:
$7,993 - $16,997
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$13,905
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$11,963 - $17,033
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
179
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
100,023
# Good or Great Deals:
78
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$14,386
Price Range:
$9,499 - $18,989
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
$15,115
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
$12,804 - $18,940
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
239
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
95,772
# Good or Great Deals:
93
Volkswagen Passat Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
9.7 / 10
Volkswagen Passat Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
9.7 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2016 Volkswagen Passat
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
2.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
2.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.3%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2017 Volkswagen Passat
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
3.4
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
3.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
2.3 - 6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
8.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
5.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.9 - 10.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
5.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.5
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.3 - 6.9
Volkswagen Passat Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Volkswagen Passat Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 13Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 13Ranking
13 out of / 13Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2016 Volkswagen Passat Trim Levels
1.8T R-Line, 1.8T S, 1.8T SE, 1.8T SEL, 1.8T SEL Premium, V6 SEL Premium
2017 Volkswagen Passat Trim Levels
1.8T R-Line, 1.8T S, 1.8T SE, 1.8T SEL Premium, V6 SE, V6 SEL Premium
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.86 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.86 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
170 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 38 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
463 / 703 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.8 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 34 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
426 / 629 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Android Auto:
Available
Apple CarPlay:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
15.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.1 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
15.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
102.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3263 lbs
Width:
72.2 inches
Height:
58.5 inches
Length:
191.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3263 lbs
Width:
72.2 inches
Height:
58.5 inches
Length:
191.9 inches
Wheelbase:
110.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R16
Exterior Colors
Beige
Titanium Beige
Black
Black Uni
Blue
Reef Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Fortana Red
Silver
Reflex Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Exterior Colors
Beige
Titanium Beige
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Reef Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Fortana Red
Silver
Reflex Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Moonrock Gray
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Moonrock Gray
Beige
Cornsilk Beige
