Peugeot 408 P54 vs Volkswagen Passat B8

Peugeot 408

P54 · 2022 – 2026

The 408 (P54), a fastback crossover on EMP2 with the electric e-408.

Volkswagen Passat

B8 · 2014 – 2023

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

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 408

Pick the 408 for a striking fastback crossover with a modern interior and the electric e-408.

Best engine: The 1.2 Hybrid (136/145) or the e-408 for full electric.

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

1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol vs 2.0 TDI 150 · Diesel

	Peugeot 408	Volkswagen Passat
Power	130 hp	150 hp Winner
Torque	230 Nm	340 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	10,5 s	8,7 s Winner
Top speed	200 km/h	220 km/h Winner
Power-to-weight	92,9 hp/t	98,0 hp/t Winner
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	120 g/km	109 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	5,5 L/100km	4,2 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Peugeot 408	Volkswagen Passat
Boot	536 L	586 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.611 L Winner	1.152 L
Wheelbase	2,79 m	2,79 m Winner
Length	4,69 m	4,77 m
Ground clearance	—	14,5 cm
Turning circle	11,2 m Winner	11,7 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.400 kg	2.000 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Peugeot 408	Volkswagen Passat
Platform	EMP2 (modular)	MQB (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	1.2 PureTech · 1.2 Hybrid (48V) · 1.6 PHEV · e-408 (EV)	EA211 1.4/1.5 TSI · EA888 Gen 3 1.8/2.0 TSI · EA288 1.6/2.0 TDI · GTE PHEV
Transmission	6-speed manual · e-DSC6	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Diesel
Euro standard	Euro 6d	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	⚠️ Banned from Antwerp & Ghent from January 1, 2026

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Peugeot 408

1.2 PureTech (early): wet timing belt
PHEV/EV: check battery and charger condition
Infotainment software needs 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

Peugeot 408

Striking fastback design
Modern i-Cockpit interior
All-electric e-408

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

Peugeot 408

No diesel offered
Boot smaller than classic saloons

Volkswagen Passat

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

Driving experience

Peugeot 408

The P54 is a liftback with a crossover stance, and it drives with an easy, planted feel. Built on the EMP2 bones shared with the 308 III, it stays light for its size, so the front axle turns in cleanly and the raised body adds visibility without making the ride busy. The small i-Cockpit wheel and raised dials need a short acclimatisation, then the steering feels accurate and the car settles into an easy rhythm. The 1.2 Hybrid is eager, the e-408 delivers instant, near-silent torque, and the EAT8 automatic shifts smoothly. It is a comfortable, easy crossover-liftback, not a sporty 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.