Which of these three relatives takes the throne in the middle segment? We compare the BMW 330i Touring vs Mercedes C 300 Estate vs Volkswagen Passat Variant
The striped design looks elegant in the interior of the Mercedes C 300, the upholstery is thick and the screens are large and highly defined. Everything is configurable in the Mercedes, but the menus are so logically structured that even the tech-savvy are done right away when they first come into contact with them.
And voice control "Hello Mercedes!" responds to a gas station or temperature requests with unusual reliability.
Design
The Volkswagen Passat is the Methuselah in this comparison, and it dates from 2014 and was only renewed in 2019. With voice control, head-up display although with a separate panel and reduced screens and Apple CarPlay, this Volkswagen is still a car quite up to date.
However, from the beginning, we have shown our disagreement with its infotainment system. In direct comparison with its two rivals, it looks slow and clunky: lots of tactile surfaces, but not as well resolved as they should be.
The facelift of the BMW 3 Series includes controversial things the large-format digital cockpit (Curved Display) and access to assistance systems only through the menu, but also updated voice control.
In this trio, only the BMW hears commands like "Close the side windows!" Even the heating/air conditioning has migrated to the central menu, although permanently visible, just like in the Mercedes.
The steering wheel heating, on the other hand, is still activated by an actual button on the steering wheel, and the iDrive rotary button, which can be operated blindly, has been retained.
The BMW driver sits low as usual, pampered by not-too-hard sports seats and lumbar support with a wide adjustment range. In the Mercedes, we find the most space in the front, but unfortunately, the center console is too bulky.
The seating position in the Volkswagen is relatively high. Its seats are extendable, but the lumbar support is somewhat ineffective. We also sit higher in the back of the Volkswagen.
Passengers behind the BMW sit in a firm, supportive seat, and don't sit too low. The one in the second row of the Mercedes is softly padded, and the backrest is not too inclined.
The BMW's cargo space has the same maximum volume as the Mercedes, but a touch larger in the normal position. The Passat trunk swallows up to 1,780 liters, 270 more than its rivals.
Engines of these relatives
Surprisingly, the buyer of the Passat does not save anything compared to BMW and Mercedes but gets a larger car with an even more powerful engine - 280 hp.
Its incredible acceleration capabilities make other road users gasp. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds, a record in this comparison.
The Passat's suspension works with a much longer stroke than the BMW's. Small frost bumps or cobblestone resonances make the front axle tremble slightly, that's its little weakness.
However, long waves and steep bumps are absorbed by the chassis without problems, without being too rough. The Passat is also fun in the slalom event: the ESP lets the rear spin a little and then catches it again: everything is easy to control with a steering that responds linearly from the center, yes, more indirect than that of the BMW.
Electrically assisted by the starter generator, the Mercedes engine (258 + 20 PS) starts particularly smoothly and only sounds surprisingly robust when accelerating (0-100 km/h in 6.1 s). According to our measurement devices, the Mercedes is the quietest in this comparison.
An air suspension like that of the predecessor is no longer
available, but no one should miss it: the Mercedes dampens exceptionally well
on short bumps. On a normal road with slight undulations, it is equally smooth,
but in return, the body sways a little more than that of the BMW.
And while we're on the BMW: while nominally the weakest candidate (245PS) in this comparison, subjectively it exudes sports car style the most with its husky, smoky sound. ZF's buttery-smooth eight-speed is automatic can also change gears instantly and, with its launch control, has been able to go from 0-60 in just 6.1 seconds.
On rough roads, you notice that the rear wheels of the BMW can only bounce down a bit, but find enough of a way up. More micro-bumps are felt than on its competitors, but the impression of a binding and skilfully tuned chassis remains.
None of them is especially greedy. With 8.4 l/100 km in the average of the test, the BMW is the most economical, just behind is the Volkswagen with 8.6 l/100 km. The thirstiest was the Mercedes, which approved 9.2 liters per 100 kilometers.
Factors to decide the purchase
Position 3: Mercedes C 300 4Matic Estate. The best suspension, the greatest luxury, the best finishes. But you lose because of the costs.
Place 2: BMW 330i xDrive Touring. It gains in values of agility, transmission, and braking. The most expensive, but excellent for resale.
Position 1: Vpllswagen Passat Variant 2.0 TSI 4Motion. The
largest cargo space, powerful and not thirsty: still familiar reference.
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