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Subaru Forester vs VW Passat comparison

Compare performance (136 HP vs 272 HP), boot space and price (35,100 £ vs 36,500 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Subaru Forester or VW Passat?

Subaru Forester vs VW Passat: Key differences

Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly cheaper
details

VW Passat

4.8 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • substantially more power
  • significantly more efficient
  • substantially quicker 0–100 km/h
  • marginally lighter
  • visibly 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

Forester

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Subaru Forester is only slightly cheaper – starting at 35,100 £ , while the VW Passat costs 36,500 £ . That’s a price difference of around 1,328 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Passat uses 1.2 L/100km and is significantly more efficient than the Subaru Forester with 8.1 L/100km. The difference is about 6.9 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 136 HP. That’s roughly 136 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the VW Passat is substantially quicker – completing the sprint in 7.1 s, while the Subaru Forester takes 12.2 s. That’s about 5.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the VW Passat delivers clearly more torque with 400 Nm compared to 182 Nm. That’s about 218 Nm more.

Forester

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 terms of curb weight, VW Passat is marginally lighter – 1,573 kg compared to 1,693 kg. The difference is around 120 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Passat offers visibly more boot space – 690 L compared to 508 L. That’s a difference of about 182 L.

When it comes to payload, the VW Passat carries a bit more – 577 kg compared to 492 kg. That’s a difference of about 85 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The VW Passat is far 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.

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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Subaru Forester
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a practical all-rounder that quietly does everything right, with roomy comfort, excellent visibility and a real fondness for weekend adventures off the beaten path. It won't set your pulse racing like a sports car, but for buyers who prize reliability, safety and sensible charm, it's a brilliantly steady companion with a cheeky streak.

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Reviews Subaru Forester

3.8 (3 Reviews)
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Dirk
8 Dec 2025, 17:00:06

It's indeed much more expensive, but it drives brilliantly. I have the automatic — fantastic. It's a bit noisy for such an expensive car, and servicing at a Subaru dealer isn't cheap. It's certainly not economical.

On the other hand, very little breaks and it will never leave you stranded. And that space... 500 litres more is really about a 40% increase.

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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Subaru Forester
VW Passat

Costs and Consumption
Price
35,100 - 42,800 £
Price
36,500 - 58,500 £
Consumption L/100km
8.1 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
183 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
1,693 - 1,739 kg
Curb weight
1,573 - 1,858 kg
Trunk capacity
508 L
Trunk capacity
510 - 690 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,830 mm
Width
1,849 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
446 - 492 kg
Payload
501 - 577 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
136 HP
Power HP
122 - 272 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
12.2 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.1 - 10.7 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
182 Nm
Torque
250 - 400 Nm
Number of Cylinders
4
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
100 kW
Power kW
90 - 200 kW
Engine capacity
1,995 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,968 cm3

General
Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, E, B
Brand
Subaru
Brand
VW
What drivetrain options does the Subaru Forester have?

The Subaru Forester is offered with 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.