Peugeot 508 W23 vs Volkswagen Passat B8

Peugeot 508

W23 · 2010 – 2018

The first 508 (W23), an executive saloon/estate on PF3.

Volkswagen Passat

B8 · 2014 – 2023

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

First car

Second car

Pick this one if…

Peugeot 508

Pick the W23 for an affordable, comfortable executive 508 with a roomy boot.

Best engine: The 2.0 HDi (diesel) or 1.6 THP (petrol) — post-2014 facelift.

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

1.6 THP 165 · Petrol vs 2.0 TDI 150 · Diesel

	Peugeot 508	Volkswagen Passat
Power	165 hp Winner	150 hp
Torque	240 Nm	340 Nm Winner
0–100 km/h	8,5 s Winner	8,7 s
Top speed	220 km/h	220 km/h
Power-to-weight	111,5 hp/t Winner	98,0 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)	150 g/km	109 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)	6,5 L/100km	4,2 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

	Peugeot 508	Volkswagen Passat
Boot	545 L	586 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)	1.500 L Winner	1.152 L
Wheelbase	2,82 m Winner	2,79 m
Length	4,79 m	4,77 m
Ground clearance	—	14,5 cm
Turning circle	11,2 m Winner	11,7 m
Towing capacity (braked)	1.600 kg	2.000 kg Winner

Powertrain & tech

	Peugeot 508	Volkswagen Passat
Platform	PF3	MQB (transverse)
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive · All-wheel drive
Engine family	1.6 VTi/THP petrol · 1.6/2.0/2.2 HDi diesel	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	6-speed manual · 7-speed DSG
Fuel	Petrol	Diesel
Euro standard	Euro 5	Euro 6
LEZ access	Unrestricted access (compliant under current legislation)	⚠️ Banned from Antwerp & Ghent from January 1, 2026

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

Peugeot 508

1.6 THP: timing chain and tensioner
HDi: DPF/EGR and turbo at high mileage
2.2 HDi: bi-turbo needs checking

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 508

Roomy boot (especially SW)
Comfortable
Affordable used

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 508

1.6 THP carries timing-chain risk
Conventional styling

Volkswagen Passat

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

Driving experience

Peugeot 508

The W23 is the 508 that replaced the 407 with a more settled, comfortable feel. Built on the PF3 platform, it stays reasonably light for its size, so the front axle turns in cleanly and the long wheelbase keeps it planted and calm on the motorway. The conventional driving position is easy to live with, and most versions ride on a comfort-tuned rear that irons out broken tarmac. The 1.6 THP is eager, the 2.0 HDi pulls strongly and quietly, and the 6-speed automatic shifts smoothly when working correctly. It is a comfortable, easy saloon, 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.