@ BMW Group Press
@ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
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BMW 3 Series Touring vs VW Golf – Which model is better for everyday use?

Both models have their strengths – but which one suits you more?
Compare performance, efficiency, price and space directly: BMW 3 Series Touring or VW Golf?

BMW 3 Series Touring

VW Golf

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

3 Series Touring @ BMW Group Press

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

VW Golf has a convincingly advantage in terms of price – it starts at 25200 £, while the BMW 3 Series Touring costs 41100 £. That’s a price difference of around 15862 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: VW Golf manages with 1.10 L and is therefore significantly more efficient than the BMW 3 Series Touring with 2.50 L. The difference is about 1.40 L per 100 km.

As for range, the VW Golf performs clearly perceptible better – achieving up to 143 km, about 46 km more than the BMW 3 Series Touring.

Golf @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the BMW 3 Series Touring has a distinct edge – offering 550 HP compared to 333 HP. That’s roughly 217 HP more horsepower.

In acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, the BMW 3 Series Touring is clearly perceptible quicker – completing the sprint in 3.50 s, while the VW Golf takes 4.60 s. That’s about 1.10 s faster.

In terms of top speed, the BMW 3 Series Touring performs slight better – reaching 300 km/h, while the VW Golf tops out at 270 km/h. The difference is around 30 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: BMW 3 Series Touring pulls distinct stronger with 700 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 280 Nm difference.

3 Series Touring @ BMW Group Press

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 curb weight, VW Golf is clearly perceptible lighter – 1307 kg compared to 1650 kg. The difference is around 343 kg.

In terms of boot space, the BMW 3 Series Touring offers clearly perceptible more room – 500 L compared to 381 L. That’s a difference of about 119 L.

In maximum load capacity, the BMW 3 Series Touring performs somewhat better – up to 1510 L, which is about 273 L more than the VW Golf.

When it comes to payload, BMW 3 Series Touring slight takes the win – 520 kg compared to 508 kg. That’s a difference of about 12 kg.

Who wins the race?

The VW Golf proves to be outperforms in nearly all aspects and therefore becomes our DriveDuel Champion!
VW Golf is the better all-rounder in this comparison.

BMW 3 Series Touring
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis
from about £25,200
Golf @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

VW Golf

  • Engine Type : Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission : Automatic, Manuel
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 116 - 333 HP
  • Consumption L/100km : 1.1 - 8.1 L
  • Electric Range : 131 - 143 km
details

BMW 3 Series Touring

The BMW 3 Series Touring blends sporting poise with everyday practicality, wrapping sharp handling and a premium cabin into a wagon that actually makes errands feel enjoyable. It’s the kind of car that hides a family-hauler’s sense of duty beneath a driver's-car attitude — useful, classy, and just cheeky enough to make you smile on the open road.

details
P90479537_highRes_the-new-bmw-3-series @ BMW Group Press
P90479535_highRes_the-new-bmw-3-series @ BMW Group Press
P90479527_highRes_the-new-bmw-3-series @ BMW Group Press
P90479519_highRes_the-new-bmw-3-series @ BMW Group Press
P90479506_highRes_the-new-bmw-3-series @ BMW Group Press

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

details
DB2019AU02117_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02116_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02120_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02082_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02081_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02087_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media
DB2019AU02105_medium @ Volkswagen AG / VW Media

Reviews BMW 3 Series Touring

Reviews VW Golf

Top Car Comparisons

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VW T-Roc
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The VW Golf still sets the benchmark in the compact class — a composed, all‑round hatch that rewards drivers with precise steering, efficient engines and sensible practicality for daily life. The VW T‑Roc trades a bit of that pinch‑perfect poise for SUV style, a higher seating position and a …
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Costs and Consumption
Price
41100 - 131100 £
Price
25200 - 47600 £
Consumption L/100km
2.5 - 10.5 L
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
91 - 97 km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
19.50 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.70 kWh
co2
57 - 238 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 59 L
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Estate
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1650 - 2025 kg
Curb weight
1307 - 1662 kg
Trunk capacity
410 - 500 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
4713 - 4801 mm
Length
4282 - 4296 mm
Width
1827 - 1918 mm
Width
1789 mm
Height
1440 - 1448 mm
Height
1454 - 1483 mm
Max trunk capacity
1420 - 1510 L
Max trunk capacity
1129 - 1237 L
Payload
405 - 520 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Diesel MHEV, Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Plugin Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
150 - 550 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 8.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
213 - 300 km/h
Max Speed
202 - 270 km/h
Torque
250 - 700 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4 - 6
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
110 - 405 kW
Power kW
85 - 245 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
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
BMW
Brand
VW

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Is the BMW 3 Series Touring offered with different drivetrains?

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

The prices and data displayed are estimates based on German list prices and may vary by country. This information is not legally binding.