2020 Kia Optima vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Overview | |
MSRP$23,390 | MSRP$23,995 |
Average price$15,775 | Average price$18,748 |
Listings890 | Listings417 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
Pros
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2020 Kia Optima Reviews Summary | |
2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryDespite 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 | |
Engine2.4L 185 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City24 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.4L 185 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower185 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway32 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.9 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3230 lbs | Curb Weight3314 lbs |
Height57.7 in | Height58.7 in |
Length191.1 in | Length193.6 in |
Width73.2 in | Width72.6 in |
Wheelbase110.4 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload948 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $23,390 | $23,995 |
Average price | $15,775 | $18,748 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.9 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 6.5 out of 10Read full review | |
Pros & cons | Pros
| |
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 | 2.4L 185 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 24 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.4L 185 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower | 185 hp @ 6000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 32 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.9 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3230 lbs | 3314 lbs |
Height | 57.7 in | 58.7 in |
Length | 191.1 in | 193.6 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 72.6 in |
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 948 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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