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Volkswagen Passat vs Holden Calais

What's the difference?

VS
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Passat

$42,880 - $73,990

2023 price

Holden Calais
Holden Calais

$14,995 - $36,888

2018 price

Summary

2023 Volkswagen Passat
2018 Holden Calais
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

V6, 3.6L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
8.1L/100km (combined)

9.1L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Classic Euro seats ... aka hard on the backside
  • Missing some charging ports in rear
  • Expensive servicing costs

  • Fuel use on the high side
  • Four-cylinder turbo petrol unavailable
  • Diesel not an option
2023 Volkswagen Passat Summary

I'm calling it - the Volkswagen Passat is the forgotten hero of station wagons.

It's surprisingly large while retaining the creature comforts and understated styling of old-world glamour.

Then enters the R-Line. A badge that diehard Volkswagen enthusiasts know is synonymous with sporty performance and handling.

However, it can be overlooked for its more affordable rivals, the Mazda6 and Skoda Octavia wagons.

But does affordability take it out of the running for the family market? Or is this the answer for the drivers who don't want to compromise on performance but still have a kid (or three) to throw in the back?

I've been hauling my little family of three around town this week to see what the big blue wagon could do.

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2018 Holden Calais Summary

If Holden had a dollar for every time someone had criticised the new and international flavour of Australia’s formerly home-grown hero, it would surely have more than enough spare cash to blow the dust of that vast South Australian factory and restart local Commodore production immediately.

Hell, there’d probably be enough left over to relaunch the Camira while they were at it. And maybe even knock out a new Gemini or two.

So we’re not going to do that again here. The all-new Commodore, in this case the Calais Tourer, is now here - granted having travelled further than the one it replaces - and so we’ll be playing this review with the straightest of bats.

Because the truth is, if you peel the badging - and thus the swirling emotion - off its elongated rump, then you’ll find this German-built Tourer is, really and truly, a very good thing.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Volkswagen Passat 2018 Holden Calais

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