BMW 3 Series vs Volkswagen Passat
BMW 3 Series
BMW’s compact executive saloon.
VS
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen’s large family car.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
BMW 3 Series
Pick the 3 Series for benchmark handling, efficient engines and a premium cabin in a compact executive sedan.
Best engine: The 320i (petrol) or 320d (diesel).
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) or 1.5 TSI (150 hp).
Read the full guide
Performance
B48 320i · Petrol vs 2.0 TDI 150 · Diesel
| BMW 3 Series | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
184 hp
Winner
|
150 hp
|
| Torque |
300 Nm
|
340 Nm
Winner
|
| 0–100 km/h |
7,1 s
Winner
|
8,7 s
|
| Top speed |
240 km/h
Winner
|
220 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
125,2 hp/t
Winner
|
98,0 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
134 g/km
|
109 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
5,9 L/100km
|
4,2 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| BMW 3 Series | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
480 L
|
586 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
—
|
1.152 L
|
| Wheelbase |
2,85 m
Winner
|
2,79 m
|
| Length |
4,71 m
|
4,77 m
|
| Width |
1,83 m
|
1,83 m
|
| Height |
1,44 m
|
1,46 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| BMW 3 Series | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base) | MQB (transverse, shared with the Superb/A4) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid | EA211/EA211 Evo petrol · EA888 Gen 3 petrol · EA288 diesel · GTE PHEV |
| Fuel | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid | Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (ZF) | 6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG |
| Euro standard | Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) | Euro 6 |
| LEZ access | Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) | Euro 6 petrol/diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) |
Reliability & watch-outs
Known issues
BMW 3 Series
- Early iDrive/infotainment quirks
- DPF on diesels doing mainly short trips
- Timing chain rare but known on B48
Volkswagen Passat
- DQ200 DSG (dry clutch) on smaller engines
- Water pump/thermostat module
- AdBlue/DPF on 2.0 TDI (short trips)
Pros
BMW 3 Series
- Benchmark handling (rear-drive base)
- Efficient, strong B48/B47 engines
- Excellent iDrive 7 infotainment
Volkswagen Passat
- Huge cabin and boot (Variant: 650–1,780 l)
- Refined comfort and high-speed stability
- Strong towing (up to 2,000+ kg braked)
Cons
BMW 3 Series
- Firm ride on M Sport suspension
- Rear seat less roomy than some rivals
Volkswagen Passat
- Pre-facelift infotainment dated
- 1.4/1.5 TSI less torquey than the 2.0 TDI
Compare specific generations
Belgian taxes & LEZ
Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers
BMW 3 Series
0 for saleNo listings at the moment
Volkswagen Passat
30 for sale · from € 6.990
Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.0 TDI · Elegance · Camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 37.990
idCAR
idCAR
Volkswagen Passat Variant DSG · Elegance · Panoramic roof · 360° camera · CarPlay
€ 35.990
idCAR
idCAR
Volkswagen Passat DSG · R-Line · Panoramic roof · 360° camera · CarPlay
€ 32.750
Falcomotive
Falcomotive
Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI · Panoramic roof · Camera · Adaptive cruise con…
€ 14.900
Auto's Basile - Kuurne motors
Auto's Basile - Kuurne motors
