Kia Optima vs Volkswagen Passat: specs side by side

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

Kia · 2015–2020

Optima

Version (19 versions)

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

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

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At a glance

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

Categories won: Optima 0 Passat B9 2

Family Passat B9 Boot: 690 l vs 505 l
City Too close to call Length: 4,845 mm vs 4,917 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.

Optima · Passat B9

	Optima	Passat B9
Length	4,845 mm190.7 in	4,917 mm193.6 in +72 mm +2.8 in +1.5%
Width	1,860 mm73.2 in	1,852 mm72.9 in −8 mm −0.3 in −0.4%
Height	1,455 mm57.3 in	1,506 mm59.3 in +51 mm +2.0 in +3.5%
Wheelbase	2,805 mm110.4 in	2,841 mm111.9 in +36 mm +1.4 in +1.3%
Boot	505 l17.8 cu ft	690 l24.4 cu ft +185 l +6.5 cu ft +36.6%
Fits a standard garage?	Tight	Tight

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

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.