BMW 5 Series vs Volkswagen Passat
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
BMW 5 Series
From $114,900
Sedan
Petrol
Petrol
140kW
6.8 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
520L
Volkswagen Passat
Price TBC
Sedan
Petrol
4 cylinder inline turbo petrol
118kW
7.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
565L
Volkswagen Passat: we're still completing price, kerb weight, seat count and ground clearance.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The BMW 5 Series features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Passat gets a 6.5-inch display.
The BMW 5 Series stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Passat. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW 5 Series gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Passat offers vienna leather appointed.
Drivetrain
The BMW 5 Series uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.6 seconds.
The Volkswagen Passat responds with a 4 cylinder inline turbo petrol making 118kW and 250Nm, paired to a 7-speed dsg driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The BMW 5 Series has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 118kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 5 Series is 2.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW 5 Series measures 5,060mm long on a 2,995mm wheelbase, 291mm longer than the Volkswagen Passat at 4,769mm (2,711mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 5 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 520L in the BMW 5 Series and 565L in the Volkswagen Passat, giving the Volkswagen Passat a 45L advantage.
For towing, the BMW 5 Series leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 1,500kg. That 500kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 11.9m
Based on 11.9m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,938/year for the BMW 5 Series and $2,052/year for the Volkswagen Passat. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the BMW 5 Series.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 5 Series) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Volkswagen Passat). The BMW 5 Series has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 5 Series if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Passat if: You need more boot space, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 5 Series takes 5 of 6 key spec categories. The BMW 5 Series will save you roughly $114 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Passat has a clear edge. The BMW 5 Series adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW 5 Series and Volkswagen Passat?
The BMW 5 Series is the cheapest at $114,900 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 5 Series uses the least fuel at 6.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW 5 Series holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volkswagen Passat, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Passat has the largest boot at 565L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 5 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BMW 5 Series has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 5 Series makes the most power at 140kW. The BMW 5 Series is quickest to 100km/h in 5.6s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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