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2016 Volkswagen Passat Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

Sedan 15 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 2015 2017 →

Fuel tank capacity

18.5gal · 70 L

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat has a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 518–703 highway miles or 370–463 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

18.5 gal · Smaller than 52% of 2016 models we list.

Highway range
518–703 mi
City range
370–463 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
23 MPG
EPA size class
Midsize Cars

2016 Volkswagen Passat fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Engine
no difference

All 15 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank Fuel MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
R-Line 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
R-Line PZEV 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
R-Line PZEV w/Comfort Package 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
R-Line w/Comfort Package 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
S 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
S PZEV 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SE 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SE PZEV 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SE PZEV w/Technology 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SE w/Technology 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SEL 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SEL PZEV 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SEL Premium 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
SEL Premium PZEV 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD · Regular MPG 25 / 38Range 463 / 703 mi 1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6A FWD 18.5 gal70 L Regular 25 / 38 463 / 703 mi
V6 SEL Premium 4dr Sedan 3.6L 6cyl 6AM · FWD · Premium (required) MPG 20 / 28Range 370 / 518 mi 3.6L 6cyl 6AM FWD 18.5 gal70 L Premiumrequired 20 / 28 370 / 518 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 2016 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 29 MPG, a full 18.5-gallon tank covers about 537 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full18.5703463
3/413.9527347
1/29.3352231
1/44.6176116
1/82.38858

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 517 gallons, roughly 28 full tanks.

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
23 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
390 g/mi
EPA greenhouse score
5 of 10
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 2016 Volkswagen Passat

$78.99 to fill the 18.5-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
18.5 galRegular$4.27$78.99$59.25
18.5 galPremium$5.28$97.68$73.26

By region, 18.5-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$74.37
Midwest$4.27$78.99
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$68.45
Rocky Mountain$4.46$82.51
West Coast$5.42$100.27
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$108.96

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$78.99
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,209

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

Passat tank size in other years

The 2016 Passat uses the same 18.5 gal tank as every Passat since 2012.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2021 Passat 18.5 gal 666 mi
2020 Passat 18.5 gal 629 mi
2019 Passat 18.5 gal 666 mi
2018 Passat 18.5 gal 666 mi
2017 Passat 18.5 gal 629 mi
2016 Passat 18.5 gal 703 mi
2015 Passat 18.5 gal 814 mi
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
Volkswagen Passat fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options
19901991199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020122013201420152016201720182019202020212022
← 2015 Volkswagen Passat Every Passat year 2017 Volkswagen Passat →

2016 Volkswagen Passat vs similar 2016 sedans

The Passat has the largest tank of the seven 2016 sedans compared here, 18.5 gallons against 18.5 for the Kia Optima.

2016 modelTankLongest highway range
Volkswagen Passat 18.5 gal 703 mi
Kia Optima 18.5 gal 722 mi
Nissan Altima 18.0 gal 702 mi
Honda Accord 17.2 gal 636 mi
Toyota Camry 17.0 gal 595 mi
Mazda 6 16.4 gal 623 mi
Chevrolet Malibu 13.0–15.8 gal 598 mi

Other 2016 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.

2016 Volkswagen Passat fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat, out of 5 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Fuel injection system · Fuel railJun 6, 2016 · NHTSA 16V403000 · Volkswagen Group Of America, Inc. · 55 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Jetta vehicles manufactured October 31, 2015, to January 21, 2016, 2016 Passat vehicles, equipped with 1.8T engines manufactured November 13, 2015, to December 9, 2015, and 2016 Golf vehicles manufactured November 5, 2015, to November 11, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the fuel rail may detach from the cylinder head and result in a fuel leak.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, can result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cylinder heads, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 15F7.

All Volkswagen fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat holds 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat gas tank hold?

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat tank holds 70 liters, or 18.5 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 2016 Volkswagen Passat go on a full tank?

About 518–703 miles on the highway and 370–463 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 2016 Volkswagen Passat go on a quarter tank?

About 176 highway miles or 116 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.

What gas does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat take?

Regular unleaded, or Premium unleaded (required), depending on the engine. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 18.5-gallon tank from empty costs $78.99. It ranges from $68.45 in the Gulf Coast to $108.96 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

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

Does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat have a bigger gas tank than the Nissan Altima?

Yes. The 2016 Volkswagen Passat holds up to 18.5 gallons; the 2016 Nissan Altima holds up to 18.0.

Has the 2016 Volkswagen Passat had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 2016 Volkswagen Passat: 16V403000 (fuel injection system · fuel rail). 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).

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

Other 2016 Volkswagen models

Beetle14.5 gallons Beetle Convertible14.5 gallons CC18.5 gallons Eos14.5 gallons Golf13.2 gallons Golf GTI13.2 gallons Golf R14.5 gallons Golf SportWagen13.2 gallons Jetta11.9–14.5 gallons Tiguan16.8 gallons Touareg26.4 gallons