2020 Volkswagen Passat Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
18.5gal · 70 L
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat has a fuel tank capacity of 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 629 highway miles or 426 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
18.5 gal · Bigger than 53% of 2020 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2020 Volkswagen Passat fuel tank capacity by trim
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-Line 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 23 / 34Range 426 / 629 mi | 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A | FWD | 18.5 gal70 L | 23 / 34 | 426 / 629 mi | |
| S 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 23 / 34Range 426 / 629 mi | 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A | FWD | 18.5 gal70 L | 23 / 34 | 426 / 629 mi | |
| SE 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 23 / 34Range 426 / 629 mi | 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A | FWD | 18.5 gal70 L | 23 / 34 | 426 / 629 mi | |
| SEL 4dr Sedan 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A · FWD MPG 23 / 34Range 426 / 629 mi | 2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6A | FWD | 18.5 gal70 L | 23 / 34 | 426 / 629 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
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 2020 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 27 MPG, a full 18.5-gallon tank covers about 500 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 18.5 | 629 | 426 |
| 3/4 | 13.9 | 472 | 319 |
| 1/2 | 9.3 | 315 | 213 |
| 1/4 | 4.6 | 157 | 106 |
| 1/8 | 2.3 | 79 | 53 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 556 gallons, roughly 30 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
- 27 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 330 g/mi
- EPA greenhouse score
- 6 of 10
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2020 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.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.5 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $78.99 | $59.25 |
By region, 18.5-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill 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)$2,372
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 2020 Passat uses the same 18.5 gal tank as every Passat since 2012.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 18.5 gal | 666 mi |
| 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 |
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- 1999
- 1998
- 1997
- 1996
- 1995
- 1994
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
- 1990
2020 Volkswagen Passat vs similar 2020 sedans
The Passat has the largest tank of the six 2020 sedans compared here, 18.5 gallons against 18.0 for the Ford Fusion.
| 2020 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Passat | 18.5 gal | 629 mi |
| Ford Fusion | 16.5–18.0 gal | 561 mi |
| Mazda 6 | 16.4 gal | 574 mi |
| Nissan Altima | 16.0–16.2 gal | 632 mi |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 15.8 gal | 569 mi |
| Toyota Camry | 14.4–15.8 gal | 616 mi |
Other 2020 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
2020 Volkswagen Passat fuel system recalls
None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat involve the fuel system.
2020 Volkswagen Passat fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat holds 18.5 gallons (70 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat gas tank hold?
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat tank holds 70 liters, or 18.5 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 2020 Volkswagen Passat go on a full tank?
About 629 miles on the highway and 426 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 2020 Volkswagen Passat go on a quarter tank?
About 157 highway miles or 106 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 2020 Volkswagen Passat take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2020 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 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
About 115 pounds for the 18.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat have a bigger gas tank than the Nissan Altima?
Yes. The 2020 Volkswagen Passat holds up to 18.5 gallons; the 2020 Nissan Altima holds up to 16.2.
Has the 2020 Volkswagen Passat had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat involve the fuel system.
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.