2020 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

2020 Chevrolet Malibu
2020 Chevrolet Malibu
$22,095MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Passat
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Chevrolet Malibu
$22,095MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$22,095

MSRP

$23,995

Average price

$15,996

Average price

$18,750

Listings

1349

Listings

438
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

Expert reviews

6.5 out of 10
Pros
  • Great ride quality
  • Spacious
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Uninspired styling
  • Outdated technology
  • Uncomfortable seats

2020 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews Summary

2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews Summary

Despite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan.

The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model.

No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.5L 160 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 174 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

160 hp @ 5700 rpm

Horsepower

174 hp @ 5200 rpm

MPG City

29

MPG City

24

MPG Highway

36

MPG Highway

36
2020 Chevrolet Malibu
2020 Chevrolet Malibu
$22,095MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Passat
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Chevrolet Malibu
$22,095MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$22,095
$23,995
Average price
$15,996
$18,750
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.7
4.5
Expert reviews

6.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Great ride quality
  • Spacious
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Uninspired styling
  • Outdated technology
  • Uncomfortable seats
Summary

Despite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan.

The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model.

Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.5L 160 hp I4
2.0L 174 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
160 hp @ 5700 rpm
174 hp @ 5200 rpm
MPG City
29
24
MPG Highway
36
36
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

Similar Comparisons

Similar Comparisons by Year