Mercedes-Benz E-Class W213 vs Volkswagen Passat B8

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

W213 · 2016 – 2023

The fifth-generation E-Class on the MRA platform.

Volkswagen Passat

B8 · 2014 – 2023

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

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) — the sweet spot.

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
Ground clearance	13,0 cm	14,5 cm
Turning circle	11,6 m Winner	11,7 m
Towing capacity (braked)	2.100 kg Winner	2.000 kg

Powertrain & tech

	Mercedes-Benz E-Class	Volkswagen Passat
Platform	MRA (rear-wheel-drive base)	MQB (transverse)
Drive	Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	M274/M264 petrol · OM654 diesel · plug-in hybrid	EA211 1.4/1.5 TSI · EA888 Gen 3 1.8/2.0 TSI · EA288 1.6/2.0 TDI · GTE PHEV
Transmission	9-speed 9G-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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Driving experience

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Serene, isolating and effortlessly luxurious. Steering is light and accurate, the ride hushed and composed, and the E-Class swallows motorway miles without a trace of stress. 4MATIC adds all-weather security, though the character stays comfort-first rather than sporting. AIRMATIC air suspension, where fitted, irons out rough roads beautifully. The petrols are smooth and eager with 48-volt assistance, the OM654/OM656 diesels pull strongly and stay quiet, and the E 300 e plug-in glides on electric power. The 9G-Tronic shifts seamlessly, rarely drawing attention to itself. Overall a calm, tech-rich executive saloon built for distance, not drama.

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.