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2008 Volkswagen Passat Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

Sedan 19 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 2007 2009 →

Fuel tank capacity

18.5gal · 70 L

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat has a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 444–537 highway miles or 296–370 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

18.5 gal · Smaller than 58% of 2008 models we list.

Highway range
444–537 mi
City range
296–370 mi
Fuel
Premium unleaded (required)
EPA combined
19–24 MPG
EPA size class
Midsize Cars

2008 Volkswagen Passat fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Drive
no difference
Engine
no difference

All 19 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
Komfort 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 19 / 28Range 352 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 19 / 28 352 / 518 mi
Komfort 4dr Sedan (built to 01/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 19 / 28Range 352 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 19 / 28 352 / 518 mi
Komfort 4dr Wagon 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 370 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 28 370 / 518 mi
Komfort 4dr Wagon (built to 02/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 370 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 28 370 / 518 mi
Lux 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 19 / 28Range 352 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 19 / 28 352 / 518 mi
Lux 4dr Sedan (built to 01/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 19 / 28Range 352 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 19 / 28 352 / 518 mi
Lux 4dr Wagon 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 370 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 28 370 / 518 mi
Lux 4dr Wagon (built to 02/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 370 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 28 370 / 518 mi
Turbo 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 19 / 28Range 352 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 19 / 28 352 / 518 mi
Turbo 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M · FWD MPG 20 / 29Range 370 / 537 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 29 370 / 537 mi
Turbo 4dr Sedan (built to 01/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 19 / 28Range 352 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 19 / 28 352 / 518 mi
Turbo 4dr Sedan (built to 01/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M · FWD MPG 20 / 29Range 370 / 537 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 29 370 / 537 mi
Turbo 4dr Wagon 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 370 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 28 370 / 518 mi
Turbo 4dr Wagon 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M · FWD MPG 20 / 29Range 370 / 537 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 29 370 / 537 mi
Turbo 4dr Wagon (built to 02/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 20 / 28Range 370 / 518 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 28 370 / 518 mi
Turbo 4dr Wagon (built to 02/08) 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M · FWD MPG 20 / 29Range 370 / 537 mi 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M FWD 18.5 gal70 L 20 / 29 370 / 537 mi
VR6 4Motion 4dr Sedan AWD 3.6L 6cyl 6A · AWD MPG 16 / 24Range 296 / 444 mi 3.6L 6cyl 6A AWD 18.5 gal70 L 16 / 24 296 / 444 mi
VR6 4Motion 4dr Wagon AWD 3.6L 6cyl 6A · AWD MPG 16 / 24Range 296 / 444 mi 3.6L 6cyl 6A AWD 18.5 gal70 L 16 / 24 296 / 444 mi
VR6 4dr Sedan 3.6L 6cyl 6A · FWD MPG 17 / 26Range 315 / 481 mi 3.6L 6cyl 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L 17 / 26 315 / 481 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 2008 Volkswagen Passat goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 22 MPG, a full 18.5-gallon tank covers about 407 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full18.5518352
3/413.9389264
1/29.3259176
1/44.613088
1/82.36544

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 682 gallons, roughly 37 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 26.6 MPG in the Passat (16 drivers), about 492 miles on a full 18.5-gallon tank.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
19–24 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
370–468 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 2008 Volkswagen Passat

$97.68 to fill the 18.5-gallon tank from empty with premium, at this week's US average of $5.28 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
18.5 galPremium$5.28$97.68$73.26

By region, 18.5-gallon tank

RegionPremium / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.93$91.20
Midwest$5.37$99.34
Gulf CoastLowest$4.57$84.55
Rocky Mountain$5.12$94.72
West Coast$6.08$112.48
CaliforniaHighest$6.36$117.66

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 18.5-gallon tank$97.68
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,600

Starts at the US average for premium; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

Passat tank size in other years

The 2008 Passat uses the same 18.5 gal tank as every Passat since 2006.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2014 Passat 18.5 gal 796 mi
2013 Passat 18.5 gal 796 mi
2012 Passat 18.5 gal 796 mi
2010 Passat 18.5 gal 574 mi
2009 Passat 18.5 gal 537 mi
2008 Passat 18.5 gal 537 mi
2007 Passat 18.5 gal 537 mi
2006 Passat 18.5 gal 537 mi
2005 Passat 16.4 gal 558 mi
2004 Passat 16.4–21.1 gal 558 mi
2003 Passat 16.4–21.1 gal 485 mi
Volkswagen Passat fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options
19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
← 2007 Volkswagen Passat Every Passat year 2009 Volkswagen Passat →

2008 Volkswagen Passat vs similar 2008 sedans

The Passat has the largest tank of the seven 2008 sedans compared here, 18.5 gallons against 18.5 for the Toyota Camry.

2008 modelTankLongest highway range
Volkswagen Passat 18.5 gal 537 mi
Toyota Camry 18.5 gal 574 mi
Mazda 6 18.0 gal 522 mi
Mitsubishi Galant 17.7 gal 478 mi
Mercury Milan 17.5 gal 508 mi
Kia Optima 16.4 gal 508 mi
Chevrolet Malibu Classic 16.0 gal 480 mi

Other 2008 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.

2008 Volkswagen Passat fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat, out of 4 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Delivery · Fuel pumpAug 16, 2017 · NHTSA 17V509000 · Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. · 280,915 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2016 Volkswagen CC, 2006-2010 Passat and Passat Wagon vehicles. Interruption of electrical power to the fuel pump control module may cause the fuel pump to fail.

Risk and remedy

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The recall began June 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20AE.

All Volkswagen fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat?

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat holds 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat gas tank hold?

The 2008 Volkswagen Passat tank holds 70 liters, or 18.5 gallons in US gallons.

Does AWD change the 2008 Volkswagen Passat gas tank?

No. FWD and AWD versions of the 2008 Volkswagen Passat use the same 18.5 gal tank.

How far can a 2008 Volkswagen Passat go on a full tank?

About 444–537 miles on the highway and 296–370 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 2008 Volkswagen Passat go on a quarter tank?

About 130 highway miles or 88 in town from the 18.5-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.6 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 2008 Volkswagen Passat really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 26.6 MPG in the 2008 Volkswagen Passat (16 drivers), which works out to about 492 miles on a full 18.5-gallon tank.

What gas does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat take?

Premium unleaded (required). The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 2008 Volkswagen Passat?

At the US average of $5.28 a gallon for premium (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.5-gallon tank from empty costs $97.68. It ranges from $84.55 in the Gulf Coast to $117.66 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2008 Volkswagen Passat?

About 115 pounds for the 18.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 2008 Volkswagen Passat have a bigger gas tank than the Toyota Camry?

No, they match: both top out at 18.5 gallons in 2008.

Has the 2008 Volkswagen Passat had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2008 Volkswagen Passat: 17V509000 (delivery · fuel pump). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Volkswagen fuel system recalls).
  • Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 2008 Volkswagen models

Eos14.5 gallons GLI14.5 gallons GTI14.5 gallons Jetta14.5 gallons New Beetle14.5 gallons R3214.5 gallons Rabbit14.5 gallons Touareg 226.4 gallons