BMW 5 Series G30 vs Volkswagen Passat B8

BMW 5 Series

G30 · 2016 – 2023

The seventh-generation 5 Series (G30), on the CLAR platform.

Volkswagen Passat

B8 · 2014 – 2023

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

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

BMW 5 Series

Pick the 5 Series for a benchmark balance of comfort and handling, a hushed ride and a big boot in a premium executive sedan.

Best engine: The 520i (petrol) or 520d (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) — the sweet spot.

Read the full guide

Performance

B48 520i · Petrol vs 2.0 TDI 150 · Diesel

	BMW 5 Series	Volkswagen Passat
Power	184 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	290 Nm	340 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	7,8 s Winner	8,7 s
Top speed	235 km/h Winner	220 km/h
Power-to-weight	119,1 hp/t Winner	98,0 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	140 g/km	109 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	6,2 L/100km	4,2 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	BMW 5 Series	Volkswagen Passat
Boot	530 L	586 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	—	1.152 L
Wheelbase	2,98 m Winner	2,79 m
Length	4,94 m	4,77 m
Ground clearance	14,4 cm	14,5 cm
Turning circle	12,0 m	11,7 m Winner
Towing capacity (braked)	2.000 kg	2.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	BMW 5 Series	Volkswagen Passat
Platform	CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base)	MQB (transverse)
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	B48 2.0 · B58 3.0 · B47/B57 diesel · 530e PHEV	EA211 1.4/1.5 TSI · EA888 Gen 3 1.8/2.0 TSI · EA288 1.6/2.0 TDI · GTE PHEV
Transmission	8-speed automatic	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

BMW 5 Series

Transfer case (xDrive) needs maintenance
Air suspension (if fitted)
EGR on diesels

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

BMW 5 Series

Refined, quiet ride
Strong, efficient engines
High-grade interior

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

BMW 5 Series

Firm ride on M Sport (run-flat)
Pricey options

Volkswagen Passat

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

Driving experience

BMW 5 Series

Composed, refined and supremely effortless. Steering is precise and well-weighted, body control excellent, and the G30 blends limousine comfort with genuine driver involvement. sDrive keeps the classic rear-drive balance and composure; xDrive adds all-weather confidence without dulling the nose. Adaptive dampers and optional air suspension span cushioned to firmly controlled. The B48/B58 petrols are smooth and eager, the B47/B57 diesels pull strongly and stay hushed, and the 530e/545e plug-ins glide on electric power. The ZF 8-speed is quick, seamless and always in the right gear. Overall a polished executive saloon that turns a long drive into a calm, effortless one.

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.