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BMW 3 Series Saloon vs VW Passat comparison

Compare performance (530 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (39900 £ vs 36500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – BMW 3 Series Saloon or VW Passat?

BMW 3 Series Saloon vs VW Passat: Key differences

BMW 3 Series Saloon

  • decisively more power
  • decisively quicker from 0–100 km/h

VW Passat

5 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • slight cheaper
  • convincingly more efficient
  • noticeable more electric range
  • barely noticeable lighter
  • noticeable more trunk space

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

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

3 Series Saloon

Costs and Efficiency:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

VW Passat has a slight advantage in terms of price – it starts at 36500 £ , while the BMW 3 Series Saloon costs 39900 £ . That’s a price difference of around 3480 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: VW Passat manages with 1.20 L and is therefore convincingly more efficient than the BMW 3 Series Saloon with 2.40 L. The difference is about 1.20 L per 100 km.

As for electric range, the VW Passat performs noticeable better – achieving up to 135 km, about 34 km more than the BMW 3 Series Saloon.

Passat

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 has a decisively edge – offering 530 HP compared to 272 HP. That’s roughly 258 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Saloon is decisively quicker – completing the sprint in 3.50 s, while the VW Passat takes 5.80 s. That’s about 2.30 s faster.

There’s no difference in top speed – both reach 250 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: BMW 3 Series Saloon pulls significantly stronger with 700 Nm compared to 400 Nm. That’s about 300 Nm difference.

3 Series Saloon

Space and Everyday Use:

Cabin size, boot volume and payload all play a role in everyday practicality. Here, comfort and flexibility make the difference.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In curb weight, VW Passat is barely noticeable lighter – 1573 kg compared to 1575 kg. The difference is around 2 kg.

In terms of boot space, the VW Passat offers noticeable more room – 690 L compared to 480 L. That’s a difference of about 210 L.

When it comes to payload, VW Passat to a small extent takes the win – 577 kg compared to 495 kg. That’s a difference of about 82 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Passat sits just ahead overall 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.

Frequently compared as well

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BMW 3 Series Saloon
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis
from about £36,500
Passat

VW Passat

  • Engine Type : Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 122 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.2 - 8 L
  • Electric Range : 124 - 135 km
details

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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VW Passat

5 (3 Reviews)
rate

The VW Passat is the grown-up family car that gets the basics absolutely right — roomy, comfortable and built to handle weekday commutes and weekend getaways without fuss. It won't set your pulse racing, but its calm composure and sensible packaging make it boring in the best possible way: a dependable, no‑drama choice for buyers who value practicality over flash.

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Reviews BMW 3 Series Saloon

Reviews VW Passat

5 (3 Reviews)
rate
Sjaak
5 Dec 2025, 19:42:23

Spacious car that drives nicely and keeps its value for a long time.

Jack
5 Dec 2025, 15:24:16

Pleasant to drive, roomy and solid. The hybrid version is also very economical.

BMW 3 Series Saloon
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption
Price
39900 - 91000 £
Price
36500 - 58500 £
Consumption L/100km
2.4 - 10.1 L
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 8 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
96 - 101 km
Electric Range
124 - 135 km
Battery Capacity
19.50 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
co2
54 - 227 g/km
co2
28 - 181 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 59 L
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 66 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Sedan
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
4
Doors
5
Curb weight
1575 - 1960 kg
Curb weight
1573 - 1858 kg
Trunk capacity
375 - 480 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
4713 - 4714 mm
Length
4917 mm
Width
1827 - 1903 mm
Width
1849 mm
Height
1440 - 1446 mm
Height
1521 mm
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
1770 - 1920 L
Payload
405 - 495 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Manual Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 530 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.6 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
5.8 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
218 - 250 km/h
Max Speed
212 - 250 km/h
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 390 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1995 - 2998 cm3
Engine capacity
1498 - 1984 cm3

General
Model Year
2024 - 2025
Model Year
2024 - 2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, F, G, B
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, D, E, B
Brand
BMW
Brand
VW

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What drive types are available for the BMW 3 Series Saloon?

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is offered with Rear-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.

The prices shown are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted for local VAT. Local registration taxes (e.g. NoVA, BPM or CO2 malus) are not included. This information is not legally binding.