Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Passat
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2022 Volkswagen Passat
Overview
| Spec | Audi A3Premium | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Premium | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 7-speed automated manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | mild hybrid | gas |
| Model year | 2024 | 2022 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Audi A3Premium | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $35,800 | $27,575 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $11,990 | $8,520 (best) |
| Median listing price | $29,500 | $15,493 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $42,766 | $18,500 (best) |
| For sale now | 15 (best) | 6 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Audi A3Premium | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 32 MPG (best) | 28 MPG |
| City MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 24 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 37 MPG (best) | 36 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Audi A3Premium | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 201 hp (best) | 174 hp |
| Torque | 221 lb-ft (best) | 206 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Audi A3Premium | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 10.9 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | 860 lbs | 948 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,329 lbs | 3,314 lbs (best) |
| Wheelbase | 103.5 in | 110.4 in (best) |
| Length | 176.9 in | 193.6 in (best) |
| Width | 71.5 in | 72.6 in (best) |
| Height | 56.2 in | 58.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Audi A3Premium | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | Not Rated | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | Not Rated | 3 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | Not Rated | 3 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | Not Rated | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | Not Rated | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Audi A3 | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Premium $35,800 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $27,575 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium Plus $39,400 MSRP | R-Line $29,575 MSRP |
| 3 | — | Limited Edition $30,575 MSRP |
Live inventory
Audi A315 for sale
See all
Used2012 Audi A3
2.0T Premium
Brilliant Black•Black86,307 mi$11,990Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2025 Audi A3
40 Premium
Arkona White•Black/Rock Gray Stitching5,546 mi$33,000Plaza Auto Mall
Brooklyn, NY
Used2024 Audi A3
40 Premium
Ibis White•Black/Rock Gray Stitching58,896 mi$22,499Hacienda Ford of Alice
Alice, TX
Used2023 Audi A3
40 Premium Plus
Mythos Black Metallic•Santos Brown/Steel Gray Stitching46,024 mi$26,550Lindsay Volvo Cars of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA
Used2026 Audi A3
Premium Plus
Arrow Gray Pearl Effect•Parchment Beige/Steel Gray Stitching2,013 mi$37,423Jack Hanania Audi Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Used2025 Audi A3
40 Premium
Manhattan Gray Metallic•black3,950 mi$30,600Mazda San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Volkswagen Passat6 for sale
See all
Used2020 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black80,468 mi$15,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
V6 SEL Premium
DEEP BLACK PEARL•Titan Black99,428 mi$14,998Mazda Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2013 Volkswagen Passat
TDI SEL Premium
Candy White•Titan Black151,519 mi$8,520McCarthy Hyundai Blue Springs
Blue Springs, MO
Used2015 Volkswagen Passat
2.0L TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav
119,018 mi$9,999INFINITI Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2021 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Pure White•Titan Black69,648 mi$18,500Barry's Chevrolet
West Union, OH
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
1.8T SEL Premium Turbocharged Power, Leather Seats, Sunroof!
Deep Black Pearl•Cornsilk Beige102,839 mi$15,988Auto Warehouse
Fort Collins, CO
Audi A3 vs Volkswagen Passat FAQ
- Which is better: 2024 Audi A3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2024 Audi A3 vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2024 Audi A3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat starts lower at $27,575. Live Audi A3 listings start at $11,990. Live Volkswagen Passat listings start at $8,520.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2024 Audi A3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2022 Volkswagen Passat leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (27,575).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2024 Audi A3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2024 Audi A3 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (32).
- Which has better horsepower: 2024 Audi A3 or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2024 Audi A3 leads on horsepower in this comparison (201).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2024 Audi A3 vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Audi A3 (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Passat (4/5 NHTSA overall).