Audi A4 B9 vs Volkswagen Passat B8

Audi A4

B9 · 2015 – 2024

The fifth-generation A4 (B9), on the longitudinal MLB Evo platform.

Volkswagen Passat

B8 · 2014 – 2023

The eighth-generation Passat (B8), on the MQB platform.

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A4

Pick the A4 for class-leading interior quality, a quiet ride and efficient engines in a premium compact executive sedan.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (190 hp diesel) or 40 TFSI (190 hp petrol).

Read the full guide

Pick this one if…

Volkswagen Passat

Pick the Passat for a roomy, refined family car with a huge boot and strong diesels for long distances.

Best engine: The 2.0 TDI (150 hp) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

EA888 40 TFSI · Petrol vs 2.0 TDI 150 · Diesel

	Audi A4	Volkswagen Passat
Power	190 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	320 Nm	340 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	7,3 s Winner	8,7 s
Top speed	240 km/h Winner	220 km/h
Power-to-weight	129,3 hp/t Winner	98,0 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	137 g/km	109 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	6,0 L/100km	4,2 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A4	Volkswagen Passat
Boot	480 L	586 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	1.152 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m Winner	2,79 m
Length	4,73 m	4,77 m
Ground clearance	13,0 cm	14,5 cm
Turning circle	11,6 m Winner	11,7 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.700 kg	2.000 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A4	Volkswagen Passat
Platform	MLB Evo (longitudinal)	MQB (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	EA888 2.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 40/45 TFSI e PHEV	EA211 1.4/1.5 TSI · EA888 Gen 3 1.8/2.0 TSI · EA288 1.6/2.0 TDI · GTE PHEV
Transmission	7-speed S tronic	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Diesel
Euro standard	Euro 6d-TEMP	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	⚠️ Banned from Antwerp & Ghent from January 1, 2026

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Audi A4

S tronic (DSG) mechatronics on early 2.0 TDI
AdBlue/SCR issues on EA288 diesels
MMI (MIB2) infotainment can reboot or freeze

Volkswagen Passat

EA888 chain and oil consumption at high mileage (early 1.8/2.0 TSI)
Haldex 4Motion service (fluid/clutch)
Electronic parking-brake and software campaigns

Pros

Audi A4

Class-leading interior quality & finish
Efficient, quiet EA288 diesel
Composed ride with optional quattro

Volkswagen Passat

Facelift (2019) brought improved DSG options and electronics
Alltrack variant with 4Motion and higher ground clearance
GTE PHEV with electric range for the city

Cons

Audi A4

Firm ride on S line + big wheels
Less engaging steering than the 3 Series

Volkswagen Passat

Saloon boot (586 l) smaller than the Variant (650 l)
Bigger and less agile than a Golf

Driving experience

Audi A4

What defines the B9 is how quietly it gets on with the job. The cabin is hushed, the ride composed, and quattro ultra shuffles torque between the axles without ever letting on, giving a planted, almost understeer-free security. Steering is accurate but deliberately light and never asks much of you. Engines are the real story: the 2.0 TFSI is brisk and tractable, the 2.0 TDI the sensible long-distance choice, and the 3.0 TDI V6 pulls like a locomotive with the manners of a far larger car. The S tronic snaps through gears crisply; the tiptronic simply dissolves them. What you give up in steering feel you win back in effortless progress.

Volkswagen Passat

Comfortable, spacious and easy to cover ground in. The Passat steers accurately with light, consistent weighting, rides well, and stays quiet at speed, with the Variant estate adding real practicality. Front-drive is the base; 4Motion adds traction in poor conditions. The 1.5 TSI is smooth and economical, the 2.0 TDI is the long-distance workhorse, and the GTE plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The DSG is smooth. It is a refined, tech-heavy family car that does everything well and has long been the default fleet choice.