Volkswagen Passat vs Kia Optima: specs side by side

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Quick comparison from catalog data - no editorial review of this pair yet.

Volkswagen · 2023–present

Passat B9

C PI 490

Version (11 versions)

Power: 110 kW150 PS
0–100 km/h: 9.3 s
Top speed: 222 km/h
Kerb mass: 1,573 kg

Version spec sheet

Kia · 2015–2020

Optima

Version (19 versions)

Power: 110 kW150 PS
0–100 km/h: -
Top speed: -
Kerb mass: -

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At a glance

Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.

Categories won: Passat B9 2 Optima 0

Family Passat B9 Boot: 690 l vs 505 l
City Too close to call Length: 4,917 mm vs 4,845 mm
Off-road Passat B9 Drive and body: Front-wheel drive · Station wagon vs Front-wheel drive · Sedan

In plain words

Volkswagen Passat is 72 mm longer than Kia Optima (4,917 mm vs 4,845 mm). Volkswagen Passat has the bigger boot: 690 l against 505 l. Volkswagen Passat is the older design (from 1973); Kia Optima arrived in 2015. Volkswagen Passat is still in production; Kia Optima is not. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Passat is the pick for family and off-road. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Kia Optima yet, so some checks above leave it out.

Size and weight

Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.

Passat B9 · Optima

	Passat B9	Optima
Length	4,917 mm193.6 in	4,845 mm190.7 in −72 mm −2.8 in −1.5%
Width	1,852 mm72.9 in	1,860 mm73.2 in +8 mm +0.3 in +0.4%
Height	1,506 mm59.3 in	1,455 mm57.3 in −51 mm −2.0 in −3.4%
Wheelbase	2,841 mm111.9 in	2,805 mm110.4 in −36 mm −1.4 in −1.3%
Boot	690 l24.4 cu ft	505 l17.8 cu ft −185 l −6.5 cu ft −26.8%
Fits a standard garage?	Tight	Tight

Difference vs Passat B9 (±). Garage check: a standard single garage takes a car up to about 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in) long and 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in) wide (width as listed in the catalog; some makers include the mirrors). Leave about 0.6 m (2 ft) to open the doors.

Size comparison to scale: Front and top views, inches →

Full specifications

General
	Volkswagen Passat	Kia Optima
Version	Passat B9 · 1.5 eTSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS)	2.0 · 110 kW (150 PS)
Production years	2023–present	2015–2020
Body	Station wagon	Sedan
Country	Germany	South Korea
Performance
Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load.	110 kW (150 PS) 148 hp	110 kW (150 PS) 148 hp
Power, all versions	81–206 kW (110–280 PS) 109–276 hp	100–180 kW (136–245 PS) 134–241 hp
0–100 km/h Why it matters: A shorter 0–100 km/h time means quicker getaways and safer merging onto fast roads.	9.3 s	No data
Top speed Why it matters: Top speed hints at how relaxed the car is at motorway speeds, even if you never reach it.	222 km/h 138 mph	No data
Power per tonne	70 kW/t 85 hp/ton calculated	No data
Engine and transmission
Fuel	Petrol	No data
Engine	1,498 cc · 4 cyl 1.5 l	2,000 cc · 4 cyl 2.0 l
Gearbox	No data	manual
Drive	Front-wheel drive	Front-wheel drive
Dimensions and weight
Length	4,917 mm 193.6 in	4,845 mm 190.7 in
Width	1,852 mm 72.9 in	1,860 mm 73.2 in
Height	1,506 mm 59.3 in	1,455 mm 57.3 in
Wheelbase	2,841 mm 111.9 in	2,805 mm 110.4 in
Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy.	1,573 kg 3,468 lb	No data
Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram.	690 l 24.4 cu ft Better	505 l 17.8 cu ft
Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops.	66 l 17.4 gal US	No data
Economy and running costs
Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip.	5.3 l/100 km 44.4 mpg US	No data
CO₂	120 g/km	No data
Fuel cost per year	€1,390/year estimated	No data
Range on a full tank	1,245 km 774 mi estimated	No data
Safety
Euro NCAP	★★★★★ (2024)	★★★★★ (2015)

Better marks the stronger figure - only for measurable specs (power, torque, 0–100 km/h, consumption, boot, weight).

Estimated at 15,000 km a year with fuel at €1.75/l petrol.