Focus estate III vs Passat Variant B7: which is better?
Ford Focus estate III (2010–2019) vs Volkswagen Passat Variant B7 (2010–2015): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Ford Focus estate III
Volkswagen Passat Variant B7Specifications
| Ford Focus estate III | Volkswagen Passat Variant B7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2010–2019 | 2010–2015 |
| Body | estate | estate |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 1.6 Ti-VCT | 1.8 TSI |
| Power, up to | 125 hp | 152 hp |
| Torque, up to | 159 Nm | 250 Nm |
| Gearbox | dual-clutch (DCT) | dual-clutch (DCT) |
| Drive | front-wheel drive | front-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 556 mm | 4 771 mm |
| Width | 1 823 mm | 1 820 mm |
| Height | 1 505 mm | 1 516 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 648 mm | 2 712 mm |
| Fuel tank | 55 L | 70 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 13 675 ₸ | ≈ 15 075 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Ford Focus estate III
Pros
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost engine: Duratec suffers timing belt and ignition coil wear
- Ford PowerShift DPS6 gearbox: dry clutch vibration and jerking
Engine (Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost): on Duratec — timing belt and ignition coil wear; on EcoBoost — overheating and coolant leaks on the 1.6.
Gearbox (Ford PowerShift DPS6): dry clutch vibration and jerks; axle seal leaks onto the clutch; control unit failure.
Volkswagen Passat Variant B7
Pros
- Large tank: 70 L
- Sold in all major markets of the region — parts and mechanics available
Cons
- Engine VW/Audi EA888 (1.8–2.0 TSI/TFSI): oil consumption (piston rings) on second-generation engines
- Gearbox DSG DQ200 (7-speed, dry clutch): mechatronics failure (cracked accumulator, control board)
Engine (VW/Audi EA888 (1.8–2.0 TSI/TFSI)): oil consumption (piston rings) on second-generation engines; timing chain stretch and tensioner on early engines; plastic water pump and thermostat housing leaks.
Gearbox (DSG DQ200 (7-speed, dry clutch)): mechatronic failure (cracked pressure accumulator, circuit board); dry clutch wear; jerks when pulling away and in traffic jams.
Which one to choose
- Focus estate III — if you care more about: kz tax 2026.
- Passat Variant B7 — if you care more about: power, torque, wheelbase, fuel tank.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Focus estate III or Passat Variant B7?
Focus estate III: up to 125 hp, Passat Variant B7: up to 152 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Focus estate III — about 13 675 ₸, Passat Variant B7 — about 15 075 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.