
Bora and Bora Legend differ in the following aspects: 1. Different tire specifications: Volkswagen Bora uses 195/65r15 tires, while Bora Legend uses 205/55r16 tires. 2. Different body dimensions: Volkswagen Bora measures 4663mm in length, 1815mm in width, and 1462mm in height; Bora Legend measures 4562mm in length, 1793mm in width, and 1468mm in height. 3. Different engine models: Volkswagen Bora is equipped with the EA211-DMB engine, while Bora Legend comes with the EA211-DLF engine.

The Bora Legend is essentially the older Bora model rebranded and continued for sale, a cost-saving choice well-known among car enthusiasts. The biggest difference is that it still uses the PQ34 platform, while the new Bora has long since adopted the MQB platform. This change in chassis directly affects the driving experience—the new Bora handles corners noticeably more stably and offers slightly more interior space. The interior differences are also quite apparent; the Bora Legend's dashboard has a heavy plastic feel, and the steering wheel design remains outdated by several years. Opting for the Legend could save you twenty to thirty thousand, but you'll have to accept the absence of the new Bora's features, such as large-screen connectivity and an electronic parking brake. Maintenance-wise, many parts are interchangeable, and most auto repair shops can handle it.

I chatted with the technician at the 4S dealership about the differences between these two models. It mainly comes down to three aspects: Design-wise, the Bora Legend retains the previous generation's look with unchanged front and rear light styling; In terms of features, it lacks many practical functions—for example, the base Legend model still has manual AC while the new Bora comes standard with automatic AC, and forget about features like rain-sensing wipers; Technologically, the Legend still uses the old engine platform, consuming about half a liter more fuel than the new Bora, and its gearbox has noticeably more jerky shifts. Oh, and the top Legend trim at best offers cruise control—advanced safety features like autonomous emergency braking are completely absent.

Simply put, the Legend is equivalent to the classic version of the Bora—cost-effective but with reduced features. Last year, I helped my cousin pick up the base automatic Legend, which was indeed cheap at just over 80,000 yuan for the bare car. However, the differences were noticeable as soon as you opened the door: fabric seats, no center armrest, and even the rear air vents were omitted. Driving it, the engine noise was as loud as in a minivan, and it didn’t even support smartphone connectivity. The extra cost of the new Bora gets you full headlights, fabric-leather hybrid seats, and an additional two fingers’ worth of rear legroom. If your budget allows, I’d recommend going straight for the new model—the price difference is just about half a year’s worth of fuel, and the improved experience is well worth it.

The Bora Legend is now just for clearing inventory. The three core component differences: 1) The engine is still the EA211 but tuned 10 horsepower weaker, adequate for city driving but noticeably sluggish for highway overtaking; 2) The Legend uses a 6AT transmission instead of the new DQ200 dual-clutch—veteran drivers know AT is rugged but thirstier; 3) The chassis damping is inferior, with the Legend jolting noticeably over speed bumps. Be warned: Legend parts will gradually become scarce—repairs may be cheap now, but replacing a headlight in five years could mean waiting for parts.

Did a live comparison of these two cars at the auto show last week. In terms of dimensions, the new Bora measures 4663mm while the Sagitar is 4562mm – 10cm shorter, with a 32mm shorter wheelbase. Power figures: the Sagitar 1.5L model delivers max power of 81kW/6000rpm, while the new Bora 1.2T reaches 85kW. The most notable configuration difference is in safety: Sagitar only has 2 airbags versus the Bora's standard 6 airbags; the Sagitar still uses 9th-gen electronic stability control while the new model features the more responsive ESP 9.3. Most surprising was fuel consumption – real-world testing showed 7.5L/100km combined for the Sagitar, while the Bora's cylinder deactivation tech brings it down to 5.8L. Calculated over 60,000km in three years, the fuel cost difference alone could cover the price gap between the two models.


