Comparison: Turning circle VW Passat vs. competitors 2024

In the grand theatre of automobiles, where the stars are judged not just by their speed but by how elegantly they can pirouette on the asphalt stage, the Volkswagen Passat has been a notable performer. Its evolution over the years has seen it adapt and refine its turning circle, a critical aspect often overlooked by those dazzled by horsepower and torque numbers. With the current model boasting a turning circle of 12.00 m, it's like witnessing a well-rehearsed ballet performance, only this is in parking lots and tight urban spaces rather than on stage.

Table of contents:

VW Passat - How has the turning circle changed over the generations?

Tracing the lineage back to the 1973-1977 Passat B1, we've seen the evolution from a turning circle of 10.30 m to the current 12.00 m in the 2024-now B9 model. The increment, although seemingly minor, is a tale of technological advancement and changing priorities. From the agile and nimble B1, akin to a young prodigy making its first mark, to the mature and refined B9, each model’s turning circle reflects its era's engineering ethos and consumer expectations. As we moved through the generations, the gradual increase from 10.30 m to 12.00 m mirrors the car’s growth in size and sophistication, like comparing a young ballet dancer's first tentative steps to their confident strides as a principal performer.

VW Passat generations

(Turning circle)
VW Passat generations
Generation yearTurning circle
Passat, Model year 1973 (B1)10.3 m
Passat, Model year 1977 (B1 (1. Facelift))10.3 m
Passat, Model year 1980 (B2)10.7 m
Passat, Model year 1985 (B2 (1. Facelift))10.8 m
Passat, Model year 1988 (B3)10.7 m
Passat, Model year 1993 (B4)10.7 m
Passat, Model year 1996 (Passat B5)11.4 m
Passat, Model year 2000 (Passat B5 (1. Facelift))11.4 m
Passat, Model year 2005 (Passat B6)11.4 m
Passat, Model year 2010 (Passat B7)11.4 m
Passat, Model year 2014 (B8)11.7 m
Passat, Model year 2019 (B8 (1. Facelift))11.7 m
Passat, Model year 2024 (Passat B9)12 m
1. Passat, Model year 1973 (B1) 10.3 m
2. Passat, Model year 1977 (B1 (1. Facelift)) 10.3 m
3. Passat, Model year 1980 (B2) 10.7 m
4. Passat, Model year 1985 (B2 (1. Facelift)) 10.8 m
5. Passat, Model year 1988 (B3) 10.7 m
6. Passat, Model year 1993 (B4) 10.7 m
7. Passat, Model year 1996 (Passat B5) 11.4 m
8. Passat, Model year 2000 (Passat B5 (1. Facelift)) 11.4 m
9. Passat, Model year 2005 (Passat B6) 11.4 m
10. Passat, Model year 2010 (Passat B7) 11.4 m
11. Passat, Model year 2014 (B8) 11.7 m
12. Passat, Model year 2019 (B8 (1. Facelift)) 11.7 m
13. Passat, Model year 2024 (Passat B9) 12 m
The difference in Turning circle between first generation (B1) from 1973 and last generation (Passat B9) from 2024 is 1.7 m.
The turning circle of the current generation of Passat is 12 m.

The turning circle compared to other VW models

If the Volkswagen lineup were a royal family, the Passat would surely be one of its dukes. Noble, yet not overly pretentious. When compared to its kin, the affable VW up! models and the electric ID. series prance around with a turning circle of just 9.80 m and 10.30 m respectively, putting them in the category of court jesters, able to make quick turns and twists with ease. The Passat, with its 12.00 m radius, commands a more regal presence, balancing between agility and stately comfort. It might not dart around corners like a pageboy, but it navigates with a dignity befitting its status.

VW Passat vs other current cars by VW

(Turning circle)
Turning circle: Passat vs. other models by VW
Variant nameTurning circle
up! 9.8 m
up! cross up! 9.8 m
up! e-up! 9.8 m
up! GTI 9.8 m
ID.5 10.3 m
ID.4 10.3 m
ID.3 10.3 m
Polo 10.6 m
Polo GTI 10.6 m
Taigo 10.6 m
T-Cross 10.7 m
Golf 10.9 m
Golf GTD 10.9 m
Golf GTE 10.9 m
Golf GTI 10.9 m
Golf R 10.9 m
ID.7 10.9 m
T-Roc Cabriolet 11 m
Golf Alltrack 11.1 m
Golf R Variant 11.1 m
Golf Variant 11.1 m
T-Roc 11.1 m
T-Roc R 11.1 m
Tiguan 11.5 m
Tiguan R 11.5 m
Touran 11.5 m
ID.5 GTX 11.6 m
ID.4 GTX 11.6 m
Passat Alltrack 11.7 m
Passat GTE Limousine 11.7 m
Passat GTE Variant 11.7 m
Passat Limousine 11.7 m
Passat Variant 11.7 m
Arteon 11.9 m
Arteon R 11.9 m
Arteon R Shooting Brake 11.9 m
Arteon Shooting Brake 11.9 m
Tiguan Allspace 11.9 m
Touareg 12.2 m
Touareg R 12.2 m
1. up! 9.8 m
2. up! cross up! 9.8 m
3. up! e-up! 9.8 m
4. up! GTI 9.8 m
5. ID.5 10.3 m
6. ID.4 10.3 m
7. ID.3 10.3 m
8. Polo 10.6 m
9. Polo GTI 10.6 m
10. Taigo 10.6 m
11. T-Cross 10.7 m
12. Golf 10.9 m
13. Golf GTD 10.9 m
14. Golf GTE 10.9 m
15. Golf GTI 10.9 m
16. Golf R 10.9 m
17. ID.7 10.9 m
18. T-Roc Cabriolet 11 m
19. Golf Alltrack 11.1 m
20. Golf R Variant 11.1 m
21. Golf Variant 11.1 m
22. T-Roc 11.1 m
23. T-Roc R 11.1 m
24. Tiguan 11.5 m
25. Tiguan R 11.5 m
26. Touran 11.5 m
27. ID.5 GTX 11.6 m
28. ID.4 GTX 11.6 m
29. Passat Alltrack 11.7 m
30. Passat GTE Limousine 11.7 m
31. Passat GTE Variant 11.7 m
32. Passat Limousine 11.7 m
33. Passat Variant 11.7 m
34. Arteon 11.9 m
35. Arteon R 11.9 m
36. Arteon R Shooting Brake 11.9 m
37. Arteon Shooting Brake 11.9 m
38. Tiguan Allspace 11.9 m
39. Touareg 12.2 m
40. Touareg R 12.2 m

How does the turning circle of the VW Passat compare to it's nearest competitors?

Placing the Passat in the grand Colosseum against its rivals paints an epic picture. Consider the Mitsubishi Lancer and Opel Omega with their respective circles of 12.00 m and 11.00 m; the Passat dances within the same arena, albeit with a gown of greater dimension. Meanwhile, entities like the Dodge Nitro and VW Nutzfahrzeuge Amarok, with turning circles flaring out to 11.10 m and 13.00 m, remind us that size does indeed matter, but so does the grace with which one uses it. The Passat’s turning radius, when viewed in the company of these contenders, highlights a balance of functionality and finesse that's as admirable on the road as it is in a parking lot duel. Like a knight adept both in the joust and the intricate steps of courtly dances, the Passat holds its ground admirably against these challengers.

VW Passat vs. similar cars

(Turning circle)
Turning circle: VW Passat vs. similar cars
Car modelTurning circle
Aixam Ambition 20238 m
Aixam Emotion 20208 m
Casalini 550 20229 m
Casalini M20 20229 m
Ligier JS 60 20209.5 m
Audi A2 200010.5 m
Hyundai Tucson 200410.8 m
Jeep Grand Cherokee 199911.1 m
VW Nutzfahrzeuge Caddy 200311.1 m
Hyundai Grand Santa Fe 201311.2 m
Mercedes-Benz CLS 200411.2 m
Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 200011.3 m
Hyundai ix55 200911.4 m
Infiniti QX30 201611.4 m
Jaguar XF 200811.5 m
Cadillac XT4 202011.6 m
Mercedes-Benz GLB 201911.7 m
Dodge Journey 200811.7 m
Mercedes-Benz R-Klasse 200511.7 m
Mercedes-Benz GLC 201511.8 m
Peugeot 508 201011.8 m
ALPINA XD3 201311.9 m
Mitsubishi Lancer 200312 m
VW Passat 202412 m
BMW X5 200012.1 m
ALPINA XD4 201812.1 m
Audi A8 200212.1 m
Mercedes-Benz GL-Klasse 200612.1 m
1. Aixam Ambition 2023 8 m
2. Aixam Emotion 2020 8 m
3. Casalini 550 2022 9 m
4. Casalini M20 2022 9 m
5. Ligier JS 60 2020 9.5 m
6. Audi A2 2000 10.5 m
7. Hyundai Tucson 2004 10.8 m
8. Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999 11.1 m
9. VW Nutzfahrzeuge Caddy 2003 11.1 m
10. Hyundai Grand Santa Fe 2013 11.2 m
11. Mercedes-Benz CLS 2004 11.2 m
12. Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 2000 11.3 m
13. Hyundai ix55 2009 11.4 m
14. Infiniti QX30 2016 11.4 m
15. Jaguar XF 2008 11.5 m
16. Cadillac XT4 2020 11.6 m
17. Mercedes-Benz GLB 2019 11.7 m
18. Dodge Journey 2008 11.7 m
19. Mercedes-Benz R-Klasse 2005 11.7 m
20. Mercedes-Benz GLC 2015 11.8 m
21. Peugeot 508 2010 11.8 m
22. ALPINA XD3 2013 11.9 m
23. Mitsubishi Lancer 2003 12 m
24. VW Passat 2024 12 m
25. BMW X5 2000 12.1 m
26. ALPINA XD4 2018 12.1 m
27. Audi A8 2002 12.1 m
28. Mercedes-Benz GL-Klasse 2006 12.1 m

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Casalini 550
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Casalini M20
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Ligier JS 60
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