Toyota Prado vs Volkswagen Passat
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars 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 Prado
From $72,500
SUV
Diesel
2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel 48V V-Active
150kW
7.6 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
408L
Volkswagen Passat
Price TBC
sedan
petrol
—
140kW
6.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
586L
Track the Toyota Prado & 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
Both the Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Passat hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Toyota Prado packs more ADAS features with 5 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 0 in the Volkswagen Passat.
Both include the essentials: core safety systems.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Toyota Prado stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto that you will not find on the Volkswagen Passat. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Toyota Prado uses a 2.8L 4-cyl Turbo-Diesel 48V V-Active producing 150kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.6 seconds.
The Volkswagen Passat lines up making 140kW and 320Nm, paired to a 7-speed dsg driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The Toyota Prado has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 140kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Passat is 1.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Toyota Prado measures 4,990mm long on a 2,850mm wheelbase, 215mm longer than the Volkswagen Passat at 4,775mm (2,791mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Toyota Prado generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 408L in the Toyota Prado and 586L in the Volkswagen Passat, giving the Volkswagen Passat a 178L advantage.
For towing, the Toyota Prado leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 1,700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.7m to 12.0m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.7m 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 $2,166/year for the Toyota Prado and $1,824/year for the Volkswagen Passat. That is a $342 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Passat.
Estimated annual total: $2,166 (Toyota Prado) vs $1,824 (Volkswagen Passat). The Volkswagen Passat saves you roughly $342 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Toyota Prado) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Passat). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Toyota Prado if: You prioritise performance, need stronger towing, or prefer Toyota's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Passat if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Passat takes 3 of 5 key spec categories. The Volkswagen Passat will save you roughly $342 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Passat 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, Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Passat?
The Toyota Prado is the cheapest at $72,500 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Passat uses the least fuel at 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Passat all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Passat has the largest boot at 586L.
Which can tow the most?
The Toyota Prado has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Toyota Prado makes the most power at 150kW. The Volkswagen Passat is quickest to 100km/h in 7.9s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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!
