2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold geometric styling from the previous year, which was a departure from its earlier Genesis Jr. design cues. This design choice was a precursor to the even more angular 2021 model. The Elantra was available in six versions, ranging from the base SE to the sporty Sport trim, with prices starting at $19,300 and going up to $24,150. The Limited trim, with the Ultimate Package, brought the price to $27,630. The Elantra's black paint job highlighted its angular design elements, creating a striking contrast with the chrome detailing. Inside, the Elantra's interior was updated with silver trim accents, giving it a more upscale appearance, though it still featured some hard plastics typical of a compact car.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, maintained its understated look following a significant facelift in 2020. Its design was reminiscent of the smaller Jetta, with a smooth, aerodynamic shape that harkened back to the jellybean sedans of the 1990s. The Passat's drag coefficient of 0.28 was a testament to its aerodynamic efficiency. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes varying by trim. The R-Line trim added sportier styling elements but lacked vibrant color options. Inside, the Passat's interior was clean and functional, with analog controls and a low dashboard for enhanced visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in this otherwise un-sporty car.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT). This CVT replaced the previous six-speed automatic, contributing to a $1,100 price increase. The Elantra Eco featured a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 128 horsepower and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Sport boasted a 1.6-liter turbo engine with 201 horsepower and an independent rear suspension for improved handling. Despite the CVT's promise of better efficiency, real-world testing showed an average of 29.3 mpg, falling short of the expected 34 mpg. The Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, making the Sport trim's independent suspension a more enjoyable option.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat simplified its powertrain offerings to a single 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the torque was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The Passat's power delivery felt uneven, with slower response during highway overtakes, though Sport mode and manual gear selection improved performance. The driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. The Passat's ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra was known for its spacious interior, comfortably accommodating four adults, with a fifth person fitting in for short trips. The Limited trim featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. All Elantras came with a dual-zone automatic climate control system, though rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents. The trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, comparable to some midsize sedans, and included a convenient interior grab handle.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat emphasized its roomy back seats, offering 39.1 inches of rear legroom, though front legroom was below average for the segment. The driving position was uncomfortable, with limited front legroom and inadequate thigh support. The Passat's cargo space measured 15.9 cubic feet, surpassing some competitors but falling short of others like the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with door bottle holders poorly shaped for large bottles. The Passat excelled in control layout, featuring large buttons and knobs for easy access, complemented by an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base SE trim featured a 5-inch screen, while the SEL offered a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the screen size to 8 inches and included navigation and additional services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and a responsive voice recognition system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity, with two additional rear charge-only ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small but functional, with basic functions accessible via dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit and MIB3 system found in other VW models.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra included Hyundai Smart Sense as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and full LED headlights. The Ultimate Package offered adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with full LED headlights and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion in side-impact tests.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores from the IIHS in crash tests, but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 model. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System for added safety.