2020 Honda Accord vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Honda Accord was truly one of the most stylish iterations in Honda's history. While some might not have appreciated the front styling or rounded roof line, many could not overlook its sleek and upscale appearance, bordering on that of a fastback rather than a family sedan. Particularly striking were the versions adorned with the 19-inch wheels available in the Sport and Touring trim levels. These wheels really enhanced the car’s visual presence. Other trims came with 17-inch wheels in various designs which, though less visually appealing, were more cost-effective in the long run due to cheaper replacement tires. The Accord was offered in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $24,270 and going up to $36,400. The Touring model tested was priced at $37,355, including a destination charge of $955.

Painted in Radiant Red, the 2020 Accord Touring only featured an Ivory interior. The contrast with the black dashboard and carpets lent a luxurious feel to the car's cabin. Soft touchpoints, high-quality leather, and realistic-looking matte-finish simulated wood trim further elevated the sense of quality inside.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat showcased a more understated design. The 2020 facelift was its first significant update in nearly a decade, aside from retaining the same basic body shell, every panel barring the roof was changed. The Passat now had a familial resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan, promoting a more subdued aesthetic compared to rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. With a drag coefficient of 0.28, the Passat's rounded corners aimed for aerodynamic efficiency, though the real-world fuel economy results were not overly impressive.

Standard LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and sportier 18-inch and 19-inch wheels on SE and R-Line models respectively, marked the Passat’s exterior. The R-Line trim also included an Adaptive Front-lighting System, with model-specific styling elements and a rear spoiler. Unfortunately, unlike the Jetta, the Passat didn’t offer particularly vibrant color options which somewhat limited its visual appeal.

Inside, the Passat opted for a clean, functional design with analog controls, a short dashboard enhancing forward visibility, and a low beltline providing excellent side visibility. The flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed slightly out of place in an otherwise un-sporty vehicle. The interior used a mix of plastic and V-Tex leatherette, maintaining appropriate fit and finish, although some might have found it plain due to limited trim accents.

Most 2020 Honda Accords came with a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 192 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 rpm and 5,000 rpm. This engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. An optional six-speed manual gearbox in the Sport trim was available for the last time in this model year. For those focused on fuel economy, the 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was impressive, averaging 42.6 mpg in earlier tests.

For driving enthusiasts, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine provided a thrilling 252 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,000 rpm, coupled with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Economy and Sport driving modes, and steering wheel paddle shifters, were available for personalized driving experiences. Unfortunately, the powerful front-wheel-drive setup struggled with traction during hard acceleration, but the performance and fun factor were undeniable. The adaptive dampers and robust 19-inch tires made the Touring trim a delight to drive, if a bit rough over large speed humps. Though braking performance was strong, there were minor issues with brake warming and sound.

Conversely, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat was simplified with only one powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This setup was less powerful compared to the Accord's offerings, but the torque was notable.

Power delivery in the Passat felt uneven at times, particularly during highway overtakes, though Sport mode and manual gear selections helped mitigate this issue. The Passat leaned towards being an uninspiring yet unoffensive midsize sedan, lacking the sportiness now common in competitors like the Accord, Mazda 6, and Toyota Camry. While it managed highway driving comfortably, it failed to impress on twisty roads.

The 2020 Honda Accord, often compared with larger vehicles like the Toyota Avalon, offered an almost full-size car experience owing to its spacious interior. Particularly, it boasted significantly more rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to its arch-rival, the Toyota Camry. The 12-way power driver’s seat in the Touring trim was praised for its comfort and support, although the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster which could have improved comfort.

The rear seat in the Accord was another highlight with plenty of space, natural seating angles, and ample thigh support. Heating, rear air conditioning vents, and optional USB ports added to the convenience. At 16.7 cubic feet, the cargo space was immense, accommodating full-size suitcases vertically. Interior storage was generous, the dashboard well-arranged, and ergonomically designed controls added to the car’s practicality. However, the absence of a trunk handle was a minor inconvenience.

In comparison, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat delivered 39.1 inches of rear legroom which, while good, fell short of what the Accord offered. Front legroom and headroom were below average, resulting in an uncomfortable driving position for some, with cramped knee space and insufficient thigh support in the front seats. The rear seats also felt flat and hard.

Despite having a decent cargo capacity of 15.9 cubic feet—larger than many rivals— the Passat fell short compared to the Accord. Interior storage was limited, with suboptimal door bottle holders and insufficiently sized smartphone cubbies. However, the control layout was user-friendly with large buttons and knobs centrally located for ease of access. The analog gauges, while outdated, were clear and aesthetically coherent with the overall interior design.

The 2020 Honda Accord’s 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was arguably the best in Honda’s lineup. It featured volume and tuning knobs, easily accessible main menu buttons, attractive graphics, and well-placed steering wheel controls. The system supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text-messaging functions. From the EX-L trim upwards, a ten-speaker premium sound system was standard, and the Touring trim added HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless device charging. However, the lack of natural voice recognition was a drawback, requiring users to follow specific commands for accurate responses.

A head-up display, standard in Touring trim, remained visible even with polarized sunglasses—a thoughtful touch. The Accord also benefited from excellent outward visibility augmented by a reversing camera with multiple viewing angles.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and a Fender premium audio system with eight speakers. Standard keyless entry was available on the SE and R-Line trims.

A single USB-A port in the center stack facilitated connectivity, though additional rear USB ports were charge-only, and the absence of USB-C was limiting for users with newer devices. The small touchscreen, while including pinch-to-zoom capability, was supplemented well by physical knobs and steering-wheel controls, making the system user-friendly for basic functions and less appealing to tech enthusiasts.

The Passat lagged behind in tech features; it lacked VW’s Digital Cockpit and the newer MIB3 system available in other models. Its driver aids were functional but basic, catering to users looking for simplicity over advanced technology.

The 2020 Honda Accord earned top safety honors, designated a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and receiving five stars in every assessment by the NHTSA. This acclaim was bolstered by the standard inclusion of Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. These included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and traffic sign recognition.

Despite these comprehensive features, Honda reserved blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert for the Sport 2.0T and EX trims or higher, even though studies show this is one of the most appreciated ADAS features by consumers. Some refinements were needed in adaptive cruise control responsiveness and false alerts in forward collision and lane departure warning systems.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, while not yet rated by the NHTSA, received "good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, though its standard headlights only earned a "marginal" rating. Volkswagen standardized adaptive cruise control across all trims but fell behind competitors that had done so earlier. Other available safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams.

The Passat's standard safety features included VW’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System, designed to prevent secondary incidents and ensure post-crash safety measures such as automatic unlocking of doors and activation of hazard lights.