Ford Mondeo vs Volkswagen Passat: family cars compared
Updated Report an error By Oleksandr Hnatiuk
Ford · 2014–2022
Mondeo CD391
- Power
- 177 kW241 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- -
- Top speed
- -
- Kerb mass
- -
Volkswagen · 2023–present
Passat B9
- Power
- 110 kW150 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 9.3 s
- Top speed
- 222 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,573 kg
At a glance
Who suits what, worked out from the catalog figures of the versions above.
Categories won: Mondeo CD391 0 Passat B9 1
- Family Passat B9 Boot: 690 l vs 429 l
- City Too close to call Length: 4,872 mm vs 4,917 mm
Verdict Opinion
As a used buy, the Mondeo Mk V offers more cabin length for the money and a comfortable ride, and the hybrid is an interesting option for drivers who do not want a diesel. Its main drawback is that the model is gone, and with it the factory's attention.
The Passat is the safer long-term choice: a wider engine range, a plug-in GTE, a strong supply of parts, and a successor that is still in production. If you want a new car of this kind, the Passat B9 estate, with its 690-litre boot and long-range eHybrid, has no Ford equivalent.
- Oleksandr Hnatiuk
For three decades the Mondeo and the Passat were the cars that European sales reps, taxi drivers and families with a long commute chose between. The Passat appeared in 1973 and is now in its ninth generation. Ford introduced the Mondeo in November 1992, with sales from March 1993, and it was voted European Car of the Year 1994.
The story has a clear ending on one side. Ford stopped building the Mondeo at its Valencia plant in March 2022, after five generations, as buyers moved to SUVs. A new Mondeo saloon launched in China in 2022 is not sold in Europe. Volkswagen kept the Passat but turned it into an estate-only car for Europe. Our catalogue pages focus on the last European Mondeo (Mk V, CD391, 2014–2022) and the Passat B8 (2014–2023), which were direct rivals for eight years.
Ford Mondeo vs VW Passat: size, engines and hybrids
Size and space
The Mondeo Mk V is the larger car: in our catalogue it rides on a 2,850 mm wheelbase and is about 4.87 m long, sharing its platform with the American Ford Fusion. The Passat B8, unveiled on 3 July 2014, measures 4,767 mm with a wheelbase of 2,786–2,791 mm and a width of 1,832 mm. The Passat estate, called Variant, has a 650-litre boot, or 483 litres in the GTE plug-in hybrid.
Diesel, petrol and hybrid choices
The B8 offered a 1.4 TSI petrol with 92 kW (125 PS) and a 2.0 TDI diesel with 110 kW (150 PS) or 140 kW (190 PS). A twin-turbo version of the diesel produced 177 kW (240 PS). The Mondeo Mk V had 1.0 and 1.5 EcoBoost petrols and 2.0 TDCi, later 2.0 EcoBlue, diesels. Its Mondeo Hybrid used the same 2.0-litre petrol-electric system as the American Ford Fusion Hybrid. Our catalogue lists Mondeo outputs from 110 to 177 kW.
Plug-in and the new Passat
Volkswagen added a plug-in Passat GTE, first with a 9.9 kWh battery and about 50 km of electric range. After the 2020 update it had 13 kWh and 55 km (WLTP). Ford never offered a plug-in Mondeo. The ninth Passat (B9), unveiled on 31 August 2023 and built in Bratislava, is an estate in Europe; saloon versions are made only for China. It is 4,917 mm long on a 2,841 mm wheelbase and offers 690 litres, up to 1,920 litres with the rear seats folded. Its eHybrid has 150 kW (204 PS) and a 25.7 kWh battery for 126–131 km of electric range.
Production
The European Passat saloon ended in December 2021; the B8 estate continued until 2023. The Mondeo was built in Valencia until March 2022.
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Mondeo CD391 | Passat B9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,872 mm191.8 in | 4,917 mm193.6 in +45 mm +1.8 in +0.9% |
| Height | 1,478 mm58.2 in | 1,506 mm59.3 in +28 mm +1.1 in +1.9% |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm112.2 in | 2,841 mm111.9 in −9 mm −0.4 in −0.3% |
| Boot | 429 l15.2 cu ft | 690 l24.4 cu ft +261 l +9.2 cu ft +60.8% |
| Fits a standard garage? | No data | Tight |
Difference vs Mondeo CD391 (±). 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.
Full specifications
| Ford Mondeo | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | 2.0 · 177 kW (241 PS) | Passat B9 · 1.5 eTSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) |
| Production years | 2014–2022 | 2023–present |
| Body | Sedan, Liftback | Station wagon |
| Country | United States | Germany |
| Performance | ||
| Power Why it matters: More power means stronger acceleration and easier overtaking, especially with a full load. | 177 kW (241 PS) 237 hp Better | 110 kW (150 PS) 148 hp |
| Power, all versions | 84–177 kW (114–241 PS) 113–237 hp | 81–206 kW (110–280 PS) 109–276 hp |
| Torque Why it matters: Torque is the pulling force you feel when accelerating from low revs, towing or climbing hills. | 340 Nm 251 lb-ft | No data |
| 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 | Diesel | Petrol |
| Engine | 2,000 cc 2.0 l | 1,498 cc · 4 cyl 1.5 l |
| Drive | No data | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,872 mm 191.8 in | 4,917 mm 193.6 in |
| Width | No data | 1,852 mm 72.9 in |
| Height | 1,478 mm 58.2 in | 1,506 mm 59.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,850 mm 112.2 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. | 429 l 15.2 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 | ★★★★★ (2019) | ★★★★★ (2024) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
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.
In plain words
Ford Mondeo has more power: 177 kW (241 PS) against 110 kW (150 PS) for Volkswagen Passat. Volkswagen Passat is 45 mm longer than Ford Mondeo (4,917 mm vs 4,872 mm). Volkswagen Passat has the bigger boot: 690 l against 429 l. Volkswagen Passat is the older design (from 1973); Ford Mondeo arrived in 1992. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Passat is the pick for family. Our catalog has no 0–100 km/h for the Ford Mondeo yet, so some checks above leave it out.
Which one to choose
Choose the Ford Mondeo if you are buying used on a budget, want a long wheelbase and a roomy rear seat or prefer a self-charging hybrid to a diesel.
Choose the Volkswagen Passat if you need an estate with one of the largest boots in the class, want a plug-in hybrid, or plan to buy new. For heavy motorway use, the 2.0 TDI remains the classic choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Mondeo still made?
Not for Europe. Ford ended Mondeo production in Valencia in March 2022. A different Mondeo saloon has been sold in China since 2022 and is not offered in Europe or North America.
Is there still a Passat saloon?
Not in Europe. The European B8 saloon ended in December 2021, and the current B9 is sold in Europe as an estate. Saloon versions of the B9 are built only for China.
Which has the bigger boot?
The current Passat B9 estate offers 690 litres and up to 1,920 litres with the seats folded. The previous Passat B8 estate had 650 litres.
Was there a hybrid Mondeo or Passat?
Yes. The Mondeo Mk V was offered as a self-charging hybrid. The Passat was offered as a plug-in hybrid, the GTE in the B8 and the eHybrid in the B9.