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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs VW Golf Variant comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 204 HP), boot space and price (39,900 £ vs 28,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or VW Golf Variant?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs VW Golf Variant: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • considerably more power
  • clearly more efficient
  • considerably quicker 0–100 km/h
details

VW Golf Variant

  • visibly cheaper
  • slightly lighter
  • visibly more trunk space
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

3 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW Golf Variant is visibly cheaper – starting at 28,800 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39,900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 11,095 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the BMW 3 Series Saloon uses 2.4 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the VW Golf Variant with 4.3 L/100km. The difference is about 1.9 L/100km.

Golf Variant

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 3 Series Saloon offers considerably more power – delivering 530 HP compared to 204 HP. That’s roughly 326 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is considerably quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the VW Golf Variant takes 6.5 s. That’s about 3 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the BMW 3 Series Saloon delivers significantly more torque with 700 Nm compared to 360 Nm. That’s about 340 Nm more.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf Variant is slightly lighter – 1,366 kg compared to 1,575 kg. The difference is around 209 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf Variant offers visibly more boot space – 611 L compared to 480 L. That’s a difference of about 131 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf Variant carries very slightly more – 547 kg compared to 495 kg. That’s a difference of about 52 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon holds a decisive overall lead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £39,900
3 Series Saloon

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • Engine Type : Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 150 - 530 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
  • Electric Range : 96 - 101 km
details

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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

BMW 3 Series Saloon

The BMW 3 Series saloon is a driver's car in a suit, blending poised handling with a cabin that feels more premium than its practicality suggests. It’s composed enough for daily duties yet playful enough to keep weekend drives interesting, making it a sensible choice for buyers who still want to have fun.

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Reviews BMW 3 Series Saloon

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

VW Golf Variant

The Golf Estate packs Volkswagen's familiar poise into a practical, grown-up estate that quietly makes everyday life easier without shouting for attention. It's clever, comfortable and roomy enough for weekend kit or family chaos, offering smart packaging and refined manners that make it a sensible and surprisingly stylish choice for buyers who need space but don't want a van.

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Reviews VW Golf Variant

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BMW 3 Series Saloon
VW Golf Variant

Costs and Consumption
Price
39,900 - 91,000 £
Price
28,800 - 38,800 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
114 - 159 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,575 - 1,960 kg
Curb weight
1,366 - 1,551 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
611 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,827 - 1,903 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
509 - 547 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
116 - 204 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 - 2,998 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, C
Brand
BMW
Brand
VW
Is the BMW 3 Series Saloon offered with different drivetrains?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is available as Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.