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Kia Niro vs VW Passat comparison

Compare performance (138 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (29,100 £ vs 36,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Kia Niro or VW Passat?

Kia Niro vs VW Passat: Key differences

Kia Niro

4.5 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • noticeably cheaper
  • only slightly lighter
details

VW Passat

4.8 (4 Reviews)
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  • substantially more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • significantly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • clearly more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

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

Niro

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are often the first things buyers look at. Here it becomes clear which model has the long-term edge – whether at the pump, the plug, or in purchase price.

Kia Niro is noticeably cheaper – starting at 29,100 £ , while the VW Passat costs 36,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 7,328 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Passat uses 1.2 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Kia Niro with 4.5 L/100km. The difference is about 3.3 L/100km.

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 VW Passat offers substantially more power – delivering 272 HP compared to 138 HP. That’s roughly 134 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Passat is significantly quicker – completing the sprint in 7.1 s, while the Kia Niro takes 11.1 s. That’s about 4 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Passat delivers clearly more torque with 400 Nm compared to 265 Nm. That’s about 135 Nm more.

Niro

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Kia Niro is only slightly lighter – 1,474 kg compared to 1,573 kg. The difference is around 99 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Passat offers clearly more boot space – 690 L compared to 451 L. That’s a difference of about 239 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Passat carries slightly more – 577 kg compared to 466 kg. That’s a difference of about 111 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Passat 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 £36,500
Passat

VW Passat

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 122 - 272 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 1.2 - 5.8 L/100km
  • Electric Range 124 - 135 km
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Frequently compared as well

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VW Passat
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Kia Niro
Kia XCeed
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VW Passat

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Kia Niro

The Kia Niro is a practical crossover that blends economy and everyday versatility without sacrificing comfort. With a roomy, well-laid-out cabin and calm, composed handling, it’s an easy-to-live-with choice for commuters and families.

details
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Reviews Kia Niro

4.5 (3 Reviews)
rate
Archi
25 Mar 2026, 13:11:41

Efficient, functional, understated, spacious and comfortable. No surprises: it delivers what it promises and does its job without fanfare. Good buy.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Leisure / Weekend driver
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
Wolfgang Schäfer
21 Oct 2025, 14:01:32

I've been driving the Kia Niro since 2019 and am still very happy with this car.

VW Passat

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 VW Passat

4.8 (4 Reviews)
rate
Voller
28 May 2026, 16:12:12

That's just a Passat. Too expensive in my opinion, but it's up to each person to decide whether to throw their money into VW's maw. The car itself is somehow a legend.

How do you mainly use this car? (optional): Company car / Business
Efficiency / Consumption & Range
Comfort & Interior
Driving Fun / Performance
Technology & Infotainment
Safety
Practicality / Trunk & Everyday Use
Value for Money
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.

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Kia Niro
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption
Price
29,100 - 33,800 £
Price
36,500 - 58,500 £
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 4.9 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
1.2 - 5.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
124 - 135 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
102 - 111 g/km
co2
28 - 153 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
SUV
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,474 kg
Curb weight
1,573 - 1,858 kg
Trunk capacity
451 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,825 mm
Width
1,849 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
466 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
138 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
11.1 - 11.4 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.1 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
265 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
102 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,580 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, B
Brand
Kia
Brand
VW
What drive types are available for the Kia Niro?

The Kia Niro is offered with Front-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.