Audi A6 C8 vs Volkswagen Passat B8

Audi A6

C8 · 2018 – 2025

The fifth-generation A6 (C8), on MLB Evo.

Volkswagen Passat

B8 · 2014 – 2023

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

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Audi A6

Pick the C8 for the quiet, tech-rich A6 with the dual MMI touchscreen and the strong 40 TDI diesel — ideally a full-history example.

Best engine: The 40 TDI (diesel) or 45 TFSI (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 45 TFSI · Petrol vs 2.0 TDI 150 · Diesel

	Audi A6	Volkswagen Passat
Power	245 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	370 Nm Winner	340 Nm
0–100 km/h	6,0 s Winner	8,7 s
Top speed	250 km/h Winner	220 km/h
Power-to-weight	148,5 hp/t Winner	98,0 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	160 g/km	109 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	7,1 L/100km	4,2 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Audi A6	Volkswagen Passat
Boot	530 L	586 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	1.152 L
Wheelbase	2,92 m Winner	2,79 m
Length	4,94 m	4,77 m
Ground clearance	12,0 cm	14,5 cm
Turning circle	12,2 m	11,7 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	2.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Audi A6	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 · EA839 3.0 TFSI · EA288 2.0 TDI · 55 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 A6

48V mild-hybrid (BSG): belt-starter-generator needs checking on early cars
MMI touch (MIB3): software bugs and reboots on early C8 cars
AdBlue/SCR on 2.0 TDI diesels with mainly short trips

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 A6

Dual-screen MMI cockpit
Quiet, refined ride
Strong mild-hybrid diesels

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 A6

Touchscreen-heavy controls
Pricey options

Volkswagen Passat

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

Driving experience

Audi A6

Comfortable, quiet and genuinely refined. The A6 rides with excellent isolation, steers accurately with light weighting, and cruises with the calm composure expected of a large executive saloon. Front-drive versions are efficient; quattro adds traction and security. The 2.0 TFSI is smooth, the 3.0 TDI V6 is the long-distance workhorse, and the 55 TFSI e plug-in covers short trips on electric power. The S tronic is quick, the tiptronic smooth. It is a tech-heavy, comfort-first executive car that does long distances with little effort.

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.