Volkswagen Passat vs. Audi A3 Feature Comparison

Features Comparison: Volkswagen Passat vs. Audi A3

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Model Year	2006	2006	2006	2006--2008-2008	2006--2008-2008
Model	Passat	Passat	Passat	A3	A3
Trim	Value Edition	2.0T	3.6 VR6	2.0T	3.2 S line
Engines (hide)
turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 200 hp@5100 207 lb-ft@1800
3.6L V6 DOHC-4v 280 hp@6200 265 lb-ft@2750
3.2L V6 DOHC-4v 250 hp@6300 236 lb-ft@2800
Transmissions (hide)
6-speed manual
6-speed manually-shiftable automatic
6-speed automated manual
Drivetrains (hide)
FWD
AWD
Tires (hide)
215/55HR16 tires
235/45HR17 tires
235/40WR18 tires
225/45HR17 tires
225/45YR17 tires
225/40ZR18 tires
Audio Systems (hide)
Unbranded, 80W, 8 speakers
Dynaudio, 600W, 10 speakers
Unbranded, 140W, 10 speakers (with subwoofer)
Bose, 195W, 10 speakers (with subwoofer)
Accessories (hide)
Cruise control
First-aid kit
Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.   [?]
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Power locks
Power rear side windows
Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.   [?]
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Sunshade, rearGreatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window.   [?]
Greatly reduces the amount of sunlight entering the rear window.
Sunshades, second rowGreatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors.   [?]
Greatly reduce the amount of sunlight entering the rear side windows. Retract into rear doors.
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual
Universal garage door openerHomelink.   [?]
Homelink.
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety (hide)
4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.   [?]
Rear disc brakes.
Active or whiplash-reducing head restraints, front seatsIf active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common.   [?]
If active, automatically move forward when the vehicle is rear-ended. Note: becoming less common.
AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.   [?]
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.   [?]
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.   [?]
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
Front airbagsMandatory, in all cars.   [?]
Mandatory, in all cars.
Full-size spare tire
Obstacle detection, frontBeeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid.   [?]
Beeps signal distance to object in front of vehicle. Parking aid.
Obstacle detection, rearBeeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid.   [?]
Beeps signal distance to object behind vehicle. Parking aid.
Rear side airbagsTorso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.   [?]
Torso-level second row airbags, usually contained in the rear door. Some also protect the head, but not as well as side curtain airbags.
Side curtain airbagsAirbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.   [?]
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Stability controlSelectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).   [?]
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.   [?]
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.   [?]
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
Cargo Management (hide)
Air-conditioned storage compartment
Cargo cover
Cargo mat
Cargo net
Console with shifter
Overhead sunglass holderUsually part of an overhead console.   [?]
Usually part of an overhead console.
Rear seat pass-throughUsually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat.   [?]
Usually concealed behind a stowed armrest. Enables long items like skis to be carried without folding the rear seat.
Ski sackSack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior.   [?]
Sack attached to rear seat pass-through. Keeps dirty skis from messing up the interior.
Storage compartment under front seat(s)
Climate Control (hide)
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.   [?]
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Dual-zone climate controlTemperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.   [?]
Temperature can be separately set for left and right sides of the passenger compartment. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Heated windshield washer nozzles
Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.   [?]
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Rain-sensing wipersWipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor.   [?]
Wipers automatically turn on and adjust their speed based on input from a rain sensor.
Rear air ventsVents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.   [?]
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.
Rear defrost
Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.   [?]
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Rear wiper
Speed-sensitive wipersOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.   [?]
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Variable intermittent wipersTime between wipes can be precisely adjusted.   [?]
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Engine / Motor (hide)
Oil coolerOnly listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Exterior (hide)
Bodyside moldingsMoldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots.   [?]
Moldings on the bodysides, to protect against door dings in parking lots.
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.   [?]
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Metallic paint (extra cost)
Mud guardsFlaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks.   [?]
Flaps mounted behind two to four wheels, to protect the body from mud and rocks.
Panoramic sunroofFront glass panel retracts over a fixed glass roof panel. Entire unit covers nearly the entire roof.   [?]
Front glass panel retracts over a fixed glass roof panel. Entire unit covers nearly the entire roof.
Pearlcoat paint
Rear spoilerCan be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.   [?]
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Sunroof
Infotainment (hide)
Audio controls on steering wheel
Bluetooth cell phone linkEnables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.   [?]
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.
Cassette player
CD changer, in-dashIncludes CD player.   [?]
Includes CD player.
CD changer, remoteCD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player.   [?]
CD changer in the glove compartment, trunk, or cargo area, beyond easy reach. Can be in addition to an in-dash CD player.
CD player
MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.   [?]
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.
Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.   [?]
Screen-based navigation system.
Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.   [?]
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
Satellite radio prep
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors (hide)
Auto-dimming rearview mirrorInterior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.   [?]
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Automatic headlightsHeadlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.   [?]
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
CompassWe haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.   [?]
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
Fog light, rearMake it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog.   [?]
Make it easier for following vehicles to see the vehicle in fog.
Fog lightsLight wide area close in front of the vehicle.   [?]
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Headlight washers
Heated mirrorsClears ice and fog from mirrors.   [?]
Clears ice and fog from mirrors.
Illuminated visor mirror, driverIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.   [?]
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Illuminated visor mirror, passengerIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.   [?]
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Map lightsFront row reading lights.   [?]
Front row reading lights.
Outside temperature display
Perimeter approach lightingArea around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked.   [?]
Area around the vehicle is illuminated when the vehicle is remotely unlocked.
Power mirrorsIncludes value of manual remote mirrors.   [?]
Includes value of manual remote mirrors.
Steering-linked headlightsHeadlights swivel when steering wheel is turned.   [?]
Headlights swivel when steering wheel is turned.
TachometerReports engine speed.   [?]
Reports engine speed.
Trip computerReports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.   [?]
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Turn signals on or near mirrors
Visor mirror, driver
Visor mirror, passenger
Xenon HID headlightsProvide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.   [?]
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.
Seats and Interior Trim (hide)
Front buckets
Front sport buckets
Second-row 3-person bench
Second-row 2-section 3-person split bench
All-weather floor matsAll-weather floormats.   [?]
All-weather floormats.
Aluminum trimReal aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together.   [?]
Real aluminum trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console. Deleted by wood trim even if they appear together.
Center armrest(s), front row
Center armrest(s), second row
Floor mats
Folding second row seatsSeat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.   [?]
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Heated front seats
Leather seating surfacesSeating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.   [?]
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Leather upholstery, extended coverageLeather beyond the seating surfaces, door panels, and IP top. No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models.   [?]
Leather beyond the seating surfaces, door panels, and IP top. No additional value over leather upholstery because no way to standardize across all models.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Manual height adjuster, driver seat
Manual height adjuster, passenger seat
Manual lumbar adjuster, driver seatManually adjustable lower back support.   [?]
Manually adjustable lower back support.
Manual lumbar adjuster, passenger seatManually adjustable lower back support.   [?]
Manually adjustable lower back support.
Memory system, driver seat
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, driver seatLower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out.   [?]
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out.
Power 4-way lumbar adjuster, passenger seatLower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out.   [?]
Lower back support power-adjustable vertically as well as in and out.
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat
Power fore-aft adjuster, passenger seat
Power height adjuster, driver seat
Power height adjuster, passenger seat
Power recliner, driver seat
Power recliner, passenger seat
Power tilt adjuster, driver seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.   [?]
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Power tilt adjuster, passenger seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.   [?]
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Synthetic leather seating surfacesA.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe.   [?]
A.k.a vinyl, leatherette, MB-Tex, NuLuxe.
Wood trimReal wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console.   [?]
Real wood trim on instrument panel, door panels, and/or center console.
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires (hide)
Alloy wheels
Sport suspension (upgrade)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.   [?]
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Wheel locksLug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.   [?]
Lug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.

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What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2006 Volkswagen Passat

What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2006--2008-2008 Audi A3