Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Volkswagen Passat
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes' executive sedan on the MRA platform.
VS
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen’s large family car.
First car
Second car
Pick this one if…
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Pick the E-Class for space, comfort and efficient engines in a premium executive sedan.
Best engine: The E 220 d (diesel) or E 200 (petrol) — the sweet spot.
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
M274 E 200 · Petrol vs 2.0 TDI 150 · Diesel
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Power |
184 hp
Winner
|
150 hp
|
| Torque |
300 Nm
|
340 Nm
Winner
|
| 0–100 km/h |
7,7 s
Winner
|
8,7 s
|
| Top speed |
240 km/h
Winner
|
220 km/h
|
| Power-to-weight |
114,6 hp/t
Winner
|
98,0 hp/t
|
| CO₂ emissions (WLTP) |
138 g/km
|
109 g/km
Winner
|
| Consumption (WLTP) |
5,9 L/100km
|
4,2 L/100km
Winner
|
Dimensions & space
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Boot |
540 L
|
586 L
Winner
|
| Boot (seats folded) |
—
|
1.152 L
|
| Wheelbase |
2,94 m
Winner
|
2,79 m
|
| Length |
4,92 m
|
4,77 m
|
| Width |
1,85 m
|
1,83 m
|
| Height |
1,47 m
|
1,46 m
|
| Seats |
5
|
5
|
Powertrain & tech
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | MRA (rear-wheel-drive base, shared with the C-Class W205) | MQB (transverse, shared with the Superb/A4) |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive |
| Engine family | M274/M264 petrol · OM654 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 | 9G-TRONIC automatic | 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
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Early OM654 diesel: rocker arm / camshaft concerns
- 9G-TRONIC: fluid changes recommended earlier than official intervals
- AIRMATIC air suspension can leak at high mileage
- Electronics/software: MBUX and driver-aid glitches (mostly fixed via updates)
Volkswagen Passat
- DQ200 DSG (dry clutch) on smaller engines
- Water pump/thermostat module
- AdBlue/DPF on 2.0 TDI (short trips)
Pros
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 540 L boot (Estate: 640–670 L) — roomy for an executive sedan
- Efficient OM654 2.0 diesel (E 220 d: 194 hp / 400 Nm, ~4.6 L/100 km)
- MRA rear-wheel-drive platform with optional 4MATIC
- E 300 e PHEV: 320 hp system output and 700 Nm, company-car friendly
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
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- OM654 diesel: AdBlue/DPF watch-points with lots of short trips
- PHEV (E 300 e) shrinks boot space
- Complex electronics and air suspension need dealer maintenance
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
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
32 for sale · from € 4.850
Mercedes-Benz E 200 Camera · CarPlay · Navigation
€ 13.495
DR Motors
DR Motors
Mercedes-Benz E 200 plug-in hybrid · AMG · 360° camera · CarPlay · Head-up …
€ 50.990
click2move by Declerc
click2move by Declerc
Mercedes-Benz E 220 CarPlay · LED · Sport seats
€ 22.180
Simplici Car Liège
Simplici Car Liège
Mercedes-Benz E 220 360° camera · CarPlay · LED
€ 22.980
Simplici Car Liège
Simplici Car Liège
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
