Toyota Corolla Sedan 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.
Toyota Corolla Sedan
From $32,585
Sedan
Hybrid
1.8L 4-cyl VVT-i Hybrid
103kW
3.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
471L
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.
Track the Toyota Corolla Sedan & Volkswagen Passat
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
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 Toyota Corolla Sedan features a 8-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Passat gets a 6.5-inch display.
The Toyota Corolla Sedan stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Passat. The Volkswagen Passat counters with heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Toyota Corolla Sedan gets cloth upholstery while the Volkswagen Passat offers vienna leather appointed. Climate control is 1-zone in the Toyota Corolla Sedan and 2-zone in the Volkswagen Passat.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Corolla Sedan uses a 1.8L 4-cyl VVT-i Hybrid producing 103kW and 142Nm of torque, sent through a cvt to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 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 Volkswagen Passat has the clear power advantage at 118kW vs 103kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Toyota Corolla Sedan is 0.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Corolla Sedan measures 4,630mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 139mm shorter than the Volkswagen Passat at 4,769mm (2,711mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Passat generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 471L in the Toyota Corolla Sedan and 565L in the Volkswagen Passat, giving the Volkswagen Passat a 94L advantage.
Turning 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 $1,112/year for the Toyota Corolla Sedan and $2,052/year for the Volkswagen Passat. That is a $940 annual difference in favour of the Toyota Corolla Sedan.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Corolla Sedan) vs 3 years / 100,000km (Volkswagen Passat). The Toyota Corolla Sedan has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Corolla Sedan if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Passat if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Toyota Corolla Sedan takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Toyota Corolla Sedan will save you roughly $940 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Passat has a clear edge. The Toyota Corolla Sedan 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, Toyota Corolla Sedan and Volkswagen Passat?
The Toyota Corolla Sedan is the cheapest at $32,585 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Toyota Corolla Sedan uses the least fuel at 3.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Toyota Corolla Sedan and Volkswagen Passat 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 has the largest boot at 565L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Passat has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Toyota Corolla Sedan has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Passat makes the most power at 118kW. The Toyota Corolla Sedan is quickest to 100km/h in 8.1s.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
