Skoda Octavia vs VW Passat: how much bigger is the Passat?
Updated Report an error By Sarah Whitmore
Skoda · 2019–present
Octavia Mk4
- Power
- 110 kW150 PS
- 0–100 km/h
- 8.2 s
- Top speed
- 230 km/h
- Kerb mass
- 1,338 kg
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: Octavia Mk4 2 Passat B9 4
- Family Passat B9 Boot: 690 l vs 600 l
- City Octavia Mk4 Length: 4,689 mm vs 4,917 mm
- Long trips Passat B9 Range: 1,245 km vs 804 km; Wheelbase (ride comfort proxy): 2,841 mm vs 2,686 mm (estimated)
- Performance Octavia Mk4 Power per tonne: 82 kW/t vs 70 kW/t; 0–100 km/h: 8.2 s vs 9.3 s
- Running costs Passat B9 Fuel per year: €1,390 vs €1,470 (estimated)
- Off-road Passat B9 Drive and body: Front-wheel drive · Station wagon vs Front-wheel drive · Liftback
Verdict Opinion
The Octavia is the smart choice for most families. Its Combi already holds 640 litres, it is easier to park at 4,698 mm, it is the only one of the two with a manual gearbox, and the RS adds a quick front-wheel-drive version.
The Passat is the better long-distance car for those who need more. It has 155 mm more wheelbase and a 690-litre boot, and the eHybrid gives up to 131 km of electric range. If an Octavia feels slightly small, the Passat, or the Superb built alongside it, is the step up.
- Sarah Whitmore
The Skoda Octavia and the Volkswagen Passat come from the same group, and many buyers cross-shop them as family estates. The fourth-generation Octavia was revealed in Prague on 11 November 2019 and updated on 14 February 2024; it is offered as a hatchback and as the Combi estate. The ninth-generation Passat, the B9, was unveiled on 31 August 2023 and in Europe is sold as an estate only. It is built in Bratislava, Slovakia, alongside the Skoda Superb, with which it shares the MQB Evo platform.
In short: the Passat is a class larger, with 219 mm more length, a much longer wheelbase and a bigger boot. The Octavia already offers 640 litres in Combi form, a manual gearbox and the RS, in a more compact body. Both are in our catalogue: Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat.
Octavia vs Passat: size, boot, engines and safety
Size and boot
Skoda lists the Octavia hatchback and Combi at 4,698 mm long and 1,829 mm wide on a 2,686 mm wheelbase. The Passat B9 measures 4,917 mm on a 2,841 mm wheelbase, so it is 219 mm longer, and 155 mm of that is between the axles. The Octavia hatchback holds 600 litres with the rear seats up and 1,555 litres folded; the Combi holds 640 and 1,700 litres. The Passat holds 690 litres and 1,920 litres, or 530 litres in the eHybrid.
- Octavia Combi: 4,698 mm, 640–1,700 litres, 45-litre tank
- Passat B9 estate: 4,917 mm, 690–1,920 litres
- Passat eHybrid: 530 litres, 25.7 kWh battery
Engines and gearboxes
Both cars use the 1.5 TSI with 110 kW (150 PS). In the Octavia it comes with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG; with the DSG it becomes a mild hybrid. Skoda quotes 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h and 229 km/h for the hatchback. The Passat's 1.5 eTSI is a mild hybrid, and every Passat B9 uses a DSG. Both offer a 2.0 TDI: the Octavia with 85 or 110 kW, the Passat with 90, 110 or 142 kW (122, 150 or 193 PS), the last with 4MOTION.
Plug-in hybrids and fast versions
Volkswagen's 1.5 TSI eHybrid produces 150 or 200 kW (204 or 272 PS) combined and uses a 25.7 kWh battery for 126–131 km of electric range. The Octavia Mk4 has also been offered as the iV plug-in hybrid, including an RS iV. For speed, the Octavia RS has a 195 kW (265 PS) 2.0 TSI with front-wheel drive, 6.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 250 km/h. The fastest Passat is the 2.0 TSI 4MOTION with 195 kW (265 PS) and all-wheel drive.
Euro NCAP
Both have five stars. The Passat B9 was tested in 2024 and scored 93% for adult occupants, 87% for children, 82% for vulnerable road users and 80% for safety assist. The Octavia scored 92%, 88%, 73% and 79% in 2019; in a 2025 retest under newer rules it scored 85%, 82%, 81% and 80%.
Used buyers: Octavia Mk3 against Passat B8
The previous pair is just as common. The Octavia Mk3, revealed on 11 December 2012, offered 590 litres in the liftback and 610 in the Combi, and scored 93% for adult occupants at Euro NCAP in 2013. The Passat B8, revealed on 3 July 2014, was the first Volkswagen Group car on the stretched MQB platform, weighed 73 kg less than its predecessor and offered 650 litres in the estate. Its GTE plug-in hybrid started with a 9.9 kWh battery.
Race Stats side by side
Each figure is a 0–100 score from the catalog numbers, the same as on the 1CARS Race cards. PI is the overall performance index (100–999) and its class D–S.
| Stat | Octavia Mk4 | Passat B9 |
|---|---|---|
| PI | B · 533 | C · 490 |
| Power | 44 | 39 |
| Grip | 39 | 36 |
| Handling | 70 | 64 |
| Top speed | 50 | 47 |
| Launch | 41 | 35 |
Grip and handling are estimates from drive type, weight, height and body (hover a figure to see where it comes from). 1CARS Race
Who wins a race?
Quarter-mile (402 m) drag from a standing start, dry road, no reaction time - the 1CARS Race physics on the catalog figures of these versions.
- 1 Octavia Mk4Octavia Mk4 · 1.5 TSI (150 PS) · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) 15.94 sat 141 km/h
- 2 Passat B9Passat B9 · 1.5 eTSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) 16.63 sat 133 km/h · +0.69 s
Size and weight
Side view to scale, all cars from the front bumper.
| Octavia Mk4 | Passat B9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,689 mm184.6 in † | 4,917 mm193.6 in +228 mm +9.0 in +4.9% |
| Width | 1,829 mm72.0 in † | 1,852 mm72.9 in +23 mm +0.9 in +1.3% |
| Height | 1,470 mm57.9 in † | 1,506 mm59.3 in +36 mm +1.4 in +2.4% |
| Wheelbase | 2,686 mm105.7 in † | 2,841 mm111.9 in +155 mm +6.1 in +5.8% |
| Kerb weight | 1,338 kg2,950 lb | 1,573 kg3,468 lb +235 kg +518 lb +17.6% |
| Boot | 600 l21.2 cu ft | 690 l24.4 cu ft +90 l +3.2 cu ft +15.0% |
| Fuel tank | 45 l11.9 gal US | 66 l17.4 gal US +21 l +5.5 gal US +46.7% |
| Fits a standard garage? | Yes | Tight |
Difference vs Octavia Mk4 (±). 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. † from another version of this generation.
Full specifications
| Skoda Octavia | Volkswagen Passat | |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Version | Octavia Mk4 · 1.5 TSI (150 PS) · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) | Passat B9 · 1.5 eTSI · petrol · 110 kW (150 PS) |
| Production years | 2019–present | 2023–present |
| Body | Liftback | Station wagon |
| Country | Czech Republic | 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 | 44–195 kW (60–265 PS) 59–261 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. | 250 Nm 184 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. | 8.2 s Better | 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. | 230 km/h 143 mph Better | 222 km/h 138 mph |
| Power per tonne | 82 kW/t 100 hp/ton calculated Better | 70 kW/t 85 hp/ton calculated |
| Engine and transmission | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,500 cc · 4 cyl 1.5 l | 1,498 cc · 4 cyl 1.5 l |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Dimensions and weight | ||
| Length | 4,689 mm 184.6 in † | 4,917 mm 193.6 in |
| Width | 1,829 mm 72.0 in † | 1,852 mm 72.9 in |
| Height | 1,470 mm 57.9 in † | 1,506 mm 59.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,686 mm 105.7 in † | 2,841 mm 111.9 in |
| Kerb weight Why it matters: A lighter car is usually more agile and uses less energy. | 1,338 kg 2,950 lb Better | 1,573 kg 3,468 lb |
| Boot Why it matters: A bigger boot fits more luggage, shopping or a pram. | 600 l 21.2 cu ft | 690 l 24.4 cu ft Better |
| Fuel tank Why it matters: A larger tank means more distance between fuel stops. | 45 l 11.9 gal US | 66 l 17.4 gal US Better |
| Economy and running costs | ||
| Fuel consumption Why it matters: Lower consumption cuts running costs and CO₂ emissions on every trip. | 5.6 l/100 km 42.0 mpg US | 5.3 l/100 km 44.4 mpg US Better |
| CO₂ | 127 g/km | 120 g/km Better |
| Fuel cost per year | €1,470/year estimated | €1,390/year estimated Better |
| Range on a full tank | 804 km 500 mi estimated | 1,245 km 774 mi estimated Better |
| Safety | ||
| Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2025) | ★★★★★ (2024) |
These cars do not differ in the data we have.
Equal rows hidden (3): Power, Fuel, Drive.
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. † from another version of this generation.
In plain words
Skoda Octavia is quicker: 0–100 km/h in 8.2 s against 9.3 s for Volkswagen Passat. Volkswagen Passat is 228 mm longer than Skoda Octavia (4,917 mm vs 4,689 mm). Skoda Octavia is lighter by 235 kg (1,338 kg vs 1,573 kg). Volkswagen Passat has the bigger boot: 690 l against 600 l. At 15,000 km a year, fuel would cost about €1,470 (Skoda Octavia), €1,390 (Volkswagen Passat) (estimated). Volkswagen Passat is the older design (from 1973); Skoda Octavia arrived in 1996. On the catalog figures, the Volkswagen Passat is the pick for family, long trips, running costs and off-road; the Skoda Octavia is the pick for city and performance.
Which one to choose
Choose the Skoda Octavia if you want a large boot in a compact estate or hatchback, a manual gearbox, or the 195 kW RS.
Choose the Volkswagen Passat if you need maximum space, cover long distances, want a plug-in hybrid with more than 120 km of electric range, or need all-wheel drive with the 2.0 TDI or 2.0 TSI.
The Octavia also faces its smaller sibling in Skoda Octavia vs Volkswagen Golf, and the Passat meets Ford in Ford Mondeo vs Volkswagen Passat.
Frequently asked questions
How much bigger is the Passat than the Octavia?
The Passat B9 is 4,917 mm long on a 2,841 mm wheelbase; the Octavia is 4,698 mm on 2,686 mm. The Passat is 219 mm longer, 155 mm of it in the wheelbase.
Which has the bigger boot?
The Passat, with 690 litres and 1,920 litres folded. The Octavia Combi holds 640 and 1,700 litres, and the Octavia hatchback 600 and 1,555 litres.
Can I get a manual gearbox?
Only in the Octavia, with the 1.5 TSI. Every Passat B9 uses a DSG dual-clutch automatic.
Is there a plug-in hybrid?
The Passat eHybrid has 150 or 200 kW (204 or 272 PS) and 126–131 km of electric range. The Octavia Mk4 has also been offered as the iV plug-in hybrid.
Are the Octavia and Passat built together?
No. The Passat B9 is built in Bratislava alongside the Skoda Superb, with which it shares its platform. The Octavia is built by Skoda in the Czech Republic.