Subaru BRZ vs Volkswagen Passat CC
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Coupes 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.
Subaru BRZ
From $49,190
Coupe
Petrol
Petrol
174kW
9.5 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
201L
Reference image · overseas modelVolkswagen Passat CC
Price TBC
Coupe
Petrol
3.6-litre V6 FSI direct-injection petrol
220kW
9.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
532L
Volkswagen Passat CC: we're still completing price, kerb weight, warranty 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.
Track the Subaru BRZ & Volkswagen Passat CC
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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
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Subaru BRZ stands out with Apple CarPlay and heated front seats — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Passat CC. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Subaru BRZ uses a Petrol producing 174kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.3 seconds.
The Volkswagen Passat CC responds with a 3.6-litre V6 FSI direct-injection petrol making 220kW and 350Nm, paired to a 6-speed dsg dual-clutch automatic, 4motion all-wheel drive driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.
The Volkswagen Passat CC has the clear power advantage at 220kW vs 174kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Volkswagen Passat CC is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Subaru BRZ measures 4,265mm long on a 2,575mm wheelbase, 534mm shorter than the Volkswagen Passat CC at 4,799mm (2,711mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Passat CC generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 201L in the Subaru BRZ and 532L in the Volkswagen Passat CC, giving the Volkswagen Passat CC a 331L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.4m
Based on 10.8m 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 $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ and $2,765/year for the Volkswagen Passat CC. That is a $57 annual difference in favour of the Subaru BRZ.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Subaru BRZ if: You want lower running costs, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Passat CC if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Passat CC takes 4 of 5 key spec categories. The Subaru BRZ will save you roughly $57 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Passat CC has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Subaru BRZ and Volkswagen Passat CC?
The Subaru BRZ is the cheapest at $49,190 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Subaru BRZ uses the least fuel at 9.5L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Subaru BRZ and Volkswagen Passat CC carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Passat CC has the largest boot at 532L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Passat CC has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,600kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Passat CC makes the most power at 220kW. The Volkswagen Passat CC 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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