As above, anyone here that can do a objective/subjective comparison? Build quality, suspension, DSG mapping etc

 

Test driving both this coming weekend after postponing the S3 test drive last weekend due to dealer unavailability.

 

I've sat in both and I fancy the S3 more looks wise, also the space in the back of the PAssat is not bad but the S3 trumps it, also fancy the Sunrrof and Digital Dash as standard in the GT passat, cost is the same exactly had offers on Carwow

Edited 3 April, 20188 yr by TonyTonic

It’s a while since I tested a Passat, but as someone who now owns a Superb I can draw a bit of a comparison.

 

Passat I tried last year was a straight 2.0 Tdi 150 in SE spec with a manual box (which I simply wouldn’t go for). It grumbled on idle, but was otherwise pretty quiet. The interior is not necessarily better quality than the Superb, but appears more sophisticated. For my money it rode slightly more firmly than the Superb, but the lack of noise disguises that - i.e., there’s no crashing over bumps.

 

Where I think it loses out is in space and practicality. Seemed less spacious in the back than my Superb (thought still good) and the boot space is not as practical than my Superb’s hatch.

 

What killed the Passat for me was the poor deals. Quite how they manage it I don’t know, but the PCP offer was not only worse than the Superb, but worse even than an entry-level A4. Work that one out...

I moved from the Passat B8 (1.6tdi bus edition) to S3 (2.0tdi bus edition) so can do a reasonable comparison.

 

Build Quality

In the 2 years I had the Passat B8 i didn't have a single rattle in the cabin.  The engine however was a diff story with a bad vibration at 2k rpm which the dealers could not fix.
Had the S3 around 7 months now and so far no rattles anywhere.

Totally subjective view, but I preferred the interior of the Passat as it looks classier.  However I've grown to like the interior of the S3 too, apart from the shiny black fingerprint magnet trim.

 

Ride/Handling.

I think the Passat was slightly more comfortable over rough roads and also didn't seem to roll as much as the S3.  There isn't much in it though and I can't really say the S3 is uncomfortable, just maybe not quite as composed as the Passat.

 

Spec

S3 wins out here as my Passat was more expensive for less kit.  However that was 2 years ago and I know the equivalent business spec passat now comes with LED headlights as standard etc, so the spec must have changed.   Passat is still quite a bit more expensive than S3 though...

 

 

If I was buying either now it would totally depend on cost.  I liked both cars, and if they were equally priced/specced would probably go for the Passat.  However they aren't, so I'd buy an S3 

 

1 minute ago, Lee_M said:

I moved from the Passat B8 (1.6tdi bus edition) to S3 (2.0tdi bus edition) so can do a reasonable comparison.

 

Build Quality

In the 2 years I had the Passat B8 i didn't have a single rattle in the cabin.  The engine however was a diff story with a bad vibration at 2k rpm which the dealers could not fix.
Had the S3 around 7 months now and so far no rattles anywhere.

Totally subjective view, but I preferred the interior of the Passat as it looks classier.  However I've grown to like the interior of the S3 too, apart from the shiny black fingerprint magnet trim.

 

Ride/Handling.

I think the Passat was slightly more comfortable over rough roads and also didn't seem to roll as much as the S3.  There isn't much in it though and I can't really say the S3 is uncomfortable, just maybe not quite as composed as the Passat.

 

Spec

S3 wins out here as my Passat was more expensive for less kit.  However that was 2 years ago and I know the equivalent business spec passat now comes with LED headlights as standard etc, so the spec must have changed.   Passat is still quite a bit more expensive than S3 though...

 

 

If I was buying either now it would totally depend on cost.  I liked both cars, and if they were equally priced/specced would probably go for the Passat.  However they aren't, so I'd buy an S3 

 

Interesting.

Sharing your sentiment. I have quotes for L&K 220TSI DSG with:

 

Rear wiper

Leather - Black

Sunblind for rear side windows

Rear view camera

Backrest release

Gearshift paddles

Travel assist with traffic sign recognition

 

For 25,387£

 

And a Passat GT 190 TDI DSG with:

 

Rear view camera

Park assist steering with front/rear parking sensors

XDS electronic differential lock

Discover DVD navigation pro with 9.2'' colour touch screen, European map data, 64GB hard drive + voice control

Alcantara/leather - Moonrock/black

 

For £25,501

 

 

Passat has Panoramic roof and Active info display but no full leather seat, is a bit smaller, maybe slightly better build quality and the annoying classic saloon boot lid.

 

Nice problem to have

 

Something tells me they’ve all got the electronic diff these days. All down to personal preferences, but I don’t think I’d ever bother with a manufacturer nav; got to be Android Auto and Google Maps/Waze, or CarPlay and Apple Maps.

2 minutes ago, MorrisOx said:

Something tells me they’ve all got the electronic diff these days. All down to personal preferences, but I don’t think I’d ever bother with a manufacturer nav; got to be Android Auto and Google Maps/Waze, or CarPlay and Apple Maps.

THey don't move over to the Active INfo Display and Apple Car Play is rubbish as you can only use the 4-5 apps they want you to use.

Not had a problem with CarPlay in my Superb so far - nav, music & voice messaging all seem to work pretty well. Not sure there’s much else I’d use - unless there was a Briskoda app;)

I've always liked Passats - I've had B5, B6 and B7, all estates. I also had a B8 on loan for 6 weeks/7000 miles when the B7 was in the garage. 

 

I had a B8 hire car for 4 weeks when I started my new job, although that was a manual. 

 

Although I do like the S3, I think I preferred,the B8 overall. 

 

What I don't like about the S3 estate is the fact that the rear seat squab cannot be laid flat, resulting in a stepped load area. Also the sloping rear screen limits the space available for bulky loads. 

 

Another issue for me is that there aren't that many Skoda dealers in the West Midlands, and the ones I have dealt with didn't fill me with confidence. 

 

Depending on what's on our car list, come December, I may be after another Passat.