Volkswagen and Mercedes are some of the largest car manufacturers in the world. Mercedes specializes in building luxury cars, while VW mostly creates affordable vehicles. So, which German brand is better when it comes to reliability?
Mercedes-Benz is more reliable than Volkswagen. According to the most recent Consumer Reports list of the least reliable car brands, Volkswagen came in third with a score of 36 out of 100, while Mercedes came in seventh with a score of 40 out of 100.
The least reliable Volkswagen models are the Volkswagen Atlas and Volkswagen Tiguan. While the least reliable Mercedes models are the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class. On the other hand, the most reliable Mercedes is the E-Class, while the most reliable Volkswagen is the VW Passat.
But how does Mercedes fare when compared to some of the high-end Volkswagen models? Apart from reliability, it’s vital to consider other factors such as safety, comfort, and performance. Here’s how different Mercedes and Volkswagen models stack up against each other.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs. Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz may rank lower on the reliability list, but their car models are some of the best on the market. Take, for example, the entry-level Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Jetta. Both of these cars are small sedans with high-end features and outstanding performance.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class comes with a 2.0-liter inter-cooled turbo engine with 7-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the Volkswagen Jetta is fitted with a 1.4-liter inter-cooled turbo engine with 8-speed automatic transmission. Both of these vehicles have a front-wheel-drive system.
When it comes to performance, the Mercedes A-Class is way better than the Volkswagen Jetta as it delivers a maximum of 188 hp at 5800rpm, while the Jetta produces up to 147 hp at 5000rpm. However, Mercedes can be even more powerful depending on the A-Class model that you pick.
Both the A-Class and Jetta have a seating capacity of five, which makes them perfect family cars. The A-Class sedan is quite a bit larger than the Jetta, but the Jetta has more cargo space. Pricewise, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is much more expensive as it goes for about $34,700, while the VW Jetta goes for around $23,800.
In terms of reliability, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is more reliable than VW Jetta. Volkswagen recalled more than 210,000 Jetta sedans made from 2016 through 2018. They had an issue with bolts loosening in the engine and causing fuel to leak. In contrast, Mercedes has never recalled their A-Class model.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs. Volkswagen Passat
With a base price of $42,650, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a more luxurious and powerful vehicle than the Volkswagen Passat, which sells at $27,900. But even with the high price tag, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is not as reliable as the VW Passat.
Overall, Mercedes as a brand is more reliable than Volkswagen, but the VW Passat is more reliable than some Mercedes models, such as the C-Class. What’s makes the VW Passat reliable is the lower number of issues registered. Passat owners will spend less time in the garage, which can’t be said for other Volkswagen models.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Volkswagen Passat are similar in that they are both midsize sedans. However, the C-Class has more advanced features than the Passat, which is evident in their initial prices. The C-Class is also powerful as it’s fitted with a 2.0-liter inter-cooled turbo engine that delivers a maximum of 255 hp.
On the flip side, the Volkswagen Passat has a 2.0-liter inter-cooled turbo engine that delivers up to 174 hp. The C-Class has a front-wheel-drive system, while the Passat has a rear-wheel-drive system. Additionally, the C-Class has a more luxurious interior than the Passat. Generally, the C-Class is the better car, minus reliability.
FAQ
Which German car brand is most reliable?
The top five German brands include Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, and Porsche. Among these brands, Porsche is the most reliable, followed by Mercedes-Benz. Volkswagen is next in line, then Audi, and BMW sits in the last position.
The reason why Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are ranked highly in reliability is that they report fewer issues and the cost of fixing them is also lower. However, these two car brands have some of the most expensive spare parts among the five German brands.
Which car brand is better, Mercedes or VW?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you desire top engineering, luxury, comfort, and safety, Mercedes-Benz is definitely the better option. But if you want an affordable car that’s also cheaper to maintain, then a Volkswagen is an excellent selection.
Which car is more expensive to maintain, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, or VW?
BMW is the most expensive German brand to maintain. Even though Audi and VW are made by the same parent company, Audi is slightly expensive to maintain than VW. In third place is the Mercedes-Benz and finally the VW. Note that the cost of maintaining a VW depends on the model.
Which cars last longer, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, or VW?
When it comes to durability, Volkswagen beats all the other major German brands. Even though most Mercedes-Benz models last pretty long, Volkswagen still takes the day. VW car models like the Jetta, Beetle, and Passat are known to last for a very long time.
Mercedes comes in second in terms of durability, while BMW and Audi come in third and fourth, respectively. However, the BMW 5-series has proven to be more durable than most Mercedes and even VW car models. Audi is the least reliable car brand on this list, but some models like Q7 rank higher.
Is Volkswagen on the same level as Mercedes, Audi, and BMW?
No, it isn’t. Even though Volkswagen is the parent company of Audi, Volkswagen models are not on the same level as the three main German luxury car brands. Volkswagen makes quality cars that are usually a class slightly higher than Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, but they’re not on par with Mercedes, Audi, or BMW.
Not only have the three main German luxury car brands made a name for themselves over the years, but they also include high-end features and top-notch engineering. Also, they contain some of the most advanced safety features that make them safer than many car brands.
What’s most important to you?
If reliability is what you’re looking for, then Mercedes-Benz is more reliable than Volkswagen. But if you want an affordable German car with good features that top a standard vehicle, then Volkswagen is a good alternative. Overall, both of these cars excellent and very durable.
