BMW is popular for its elegant, luxurious, and high-performance cars. On the other hand, Volkswagen is popular for its excellent build quality, reliability, and variety. However, which car is more reliable and better than the other?
Volkswagen builds more reliable cars than BMW. However, BMW has also risen in the reliability rankings and is above brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Regardless, Volkswagen still has an edge but the gap is very small.
Nonetheless, this comparison is quite unfair as BMW creates luxury and high-performance cars, while Volkswagen focuses on affordable mainstream cars. So, since BMW comes with more advanced technological features, it is easier to break down compared to Volkswagen.
When it comes to which car is better, the topic becomes subjective. Some people will go for the Volkswagen because of its reliability, ease of maintenance and repair, and the wider pool of cars it offers. On the other hand, some individuals will prefer BMW because of its quality and sophisticated interior, excellent handling, comfort, and exceptional performance.
Which car is better – BMW 3-Series or Volkswagen Golf?
Appearance
Both of these cars look spectacular, but the BMW 3-Series looks slightly more elegant than the Volkswagen Golf. This car has an elegant and aggressive look, while the Volkswagen Golf has a balanced exterior with simple styling.
BMW also comes with a more advanced and richer interior than the Golf. Since the BMW 3-Series is a luxury car and Volkswagen is a mainstream car, it is normal for its interior to be upscale compared to the VW’s interior.
The BMW is also longer than the Volkswagen. For instance, the BMW 330i has a wheelbase of 112.2-inches, a length of 185.7-inches, a width of 71.9-inches, and a height of 56.8-inches. On the other hand, the VW Golf has a wheelbase of 103.8-inches, a length of 167.6-inches, a width of 70.8-inches, and a height of 58.2-inches.
All in all, the BMW is longer, more beautiful, and with top-notch features than the Volkswagen Golf. Nonetheless, the Volkswagen Golf is still an excellent car with a simple design and spacious interior.
Performance
If speed and power are what you’re looking for, then the BMW 3-Series is still the better car. BMW 330i is equipped with a 2.0-liter engine that delivers up to 255 hp and 295lb-ft of torque. On the contrary, the Volkswagen 1.4 TI Golf is fitted with a 1.4-liter engine that delivers up to 147 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.
In terms of quickness and speed, the BMW 330i accelerates from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds, while the Volkswagen 1.4 TSI Golf accelerates in 8.8 seconds. What’s more, the BMW has a top speed of 155 mph, while the VW Golf has a top speed of 127 mph.
Reliability
Since both of these cars are from Germany, expect them to be reliable. Nonetheless, Volkswagen Golf is more reliable than BMW 3-Series. Unlike BMW 3-Series, the VW Golf registers fewer issues, meaning you will spend less time and money at the mechanic. However, BMW has improved a lot and it is top of the reliability list for German luxury cars.
Price
As expected, the BMW 330i is much costlier than the Volkswagen 1.4 TSI Golf. Yes, both of these cars may be well-built with outstanding features, but the BMW 3-Series is on another level. That’s why its base price is almost double that of the VW Golf.
The base model for the BMW 330i costs about $41,500, while the base model for the VW Golf costs around $23,200.
FAQ
Which car is faster – Volkswagen or BMW?
In terms of speed, BMW is faster than Volkswagen. Apart from being a luxury car, BMW also creates some of the best sports cars. For instance, the BMW 3-Series is faster than the Volkswagen 1.4 TSI Golf. This includes both acceleration and top speed.
The BMW 330i accelerates from 0 to 60 in just 3.4 seconds, while the Volkswagen 1.4 TSI Golf takes 8.8 seconds. Furthermore, the BMW 330i has a top speed of 155 mph, while the Volkswagen 1.4 TSI Golf has 127 mph. So, the BMW will be at the latter on the track and the highway.
Which car is cheaper to maintain between BMW and Volkswagen?
Volkswagen is cheaper to maintain. First and foremost, VW is more reliable than BMW. Secondly, BMW is a premium car, while Volkswagen is a mainstream car. Hence, as usual, luxury cars are costlier to maintain than mainstream cars.
Besides, BMW parts are costlier to acquire than Volkswagen parts. What’s more, BMW reports more issues than VWs, meaning that you will spend more time in the garage, which will increase the cost of repairs and maintenance.
Is Volkswagen a good daily car?
Yes, Volkswagen is an excellent daily car. Unlike BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi, Volkswagens are fuel-efficient and cheaper to maintain. So, they are excellent cars for daily use. Volkswagen Golf has an EPA rating of 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. On the other hand, BMW 3-Series has a rating of 26 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
Which car lasts longer between Volkswagen and BMW?
How long your car lasts depends on how well you maintain it. So, if you maintain your car well and exercise good driving habits, your car should last over 200,000 miles. When it comes to Volkswagen and BMW, both of these cars last over 150,000 miles.
So, expect either your BMW or Volkswagen to last somewhere between 100,000 miles and 200,000 miles. Overall, BMW is slightly more durable as most of them clock over 150,000 miles, while most VWs clock over 100,000 miles.
Which car offers a wider variety of vehicles?
Volkswagen offers the most car makes and models among all the German car brands. Yes, BMW and Mercedes have a variety of cars to offer, but they still lag Volkswagen in terms of variety. Volkswagen offers cars in almost all categories, while BMW is lacking in some categories.
Summary
If you’re looking for a reliable car with a variety of car makes and models to pick from, go for Volkswagen. But if you want outstanding performance, comfort, luxury, and speed, then BMW is the best choice. However, you will also have to pay more to get a BMW compared to getting a Volkswagen.
