Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 BMW 3 Series Sedan

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Passat are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Passat has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the 3 Series Sedan’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Passat has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the 3 Series Sedan.

Both the Passat and the 3 Series Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the BMW 3 Series Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 82 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passat’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the 3 Series Sedan’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better mileage than the 3 Series Sedan:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 3 Series Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passat has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Sedan (18.5 vs. 15.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the BMW 3 Series Sedan (5 to 7). This means the Passat produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 3 Series Sedan every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the 3 Series Sedan (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R18). The Passat’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Sedan (235/45R18 vs. 225/35R20).

The Passat has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the 3 Series Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the 3 Series Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the 3 Series Sedan’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 2.8 feet tighter than the 3 Series Sedan xDrive’s (36.4 feet vs. 39.2 feet).

The Passat has .4 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the 3 Series Sedan.

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the 3 Series Sedan (15.9 vs. 13 cubic feet).

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Passat to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 3 Series Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Insurance will cost less for the Passat owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Passat with a number “1” insurance rate while the 3 Series Sedan is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the 3 Series Sedan because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the 3 Series Sedan, including $302 less for a water pump, $186 less for a muffler, $87 less for front brake pads, $249 less for fuel injection, $204 less for front struts, $263 less for a timing belt/chain and $254 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Passat and the BMW 3 Series Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.