Volkswagen Passat GTE cars

What is the Volkswagen Passat GTE?

GTE is the name given to Volkswagen’s performance hybrid models, similar to the petrol-powered GTI and diesel-powered GTD variants of other cars like the Golf.

A Volkswagen Passat GTE comes with the same plug-in hybrid powertrain as the Golf GTE, but this family saloon comes with slightly more power.

It’s a surprisingly nippy car given its size, but it should cost you little in car tax because it has such low emissions.

– Read our Volkswagen Passat review

What are the Volkswagen Passat GTE specs?

GTE refers to two things for the Passat – it’s a trim level, and it’s also an engine option. So, there’s only one pick, and it’s a 1.4-litre petrol plug-in hybrid.

The system produces a combined power output of 218hp, and it should be able to do around 30 miles on electric power alone between charges.

As with any hybrid, how frequently you can charge it and whether you regularly do long trips determines how much you’ll spend on fuel, but it has the potential to give you very low running costs.

Used Volkswagen Passat GTE features and equipment

There are a few telltale signs that a Passat is a GTE version, such as blue trim details and distinctive C-shaped LED daytime running lights.

Inside, you get three-zone climate control, heated front seats, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic lights and wipers, and adaptive cruise control.

Other kit includes front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights and lots of safety kit such as lane assist.

Where the Passat GTE sits in the Volkswagen range

The Volkswagen Passat range starts with an entry-level S model, which sits beneath the mid-spec SE and the slightly more premium SEL.

From there, you can pick to go along one of two routes – sporty-looking R-Line and R-Line Edition models, or the hybrid GTE and GTE Advance variants.

There’s also an Alltrack version for the estate only, which comes with four-wheel drive and a raised suspension.