2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harkened back to the design of the E-Class from two generations prior, featuring a rounded, smooth body. While some critics felt it was overly streamlined, the resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it a recognizable and respectable member of the Mercedes family. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet forms, the E-Class catered to conservative buyers with its versatile design. The sedan, in particular, looked especially rich with the traditional hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, though most models sported a large Mercedes emblem in the center of the sport grille. LED lighting added a delicate touch, and the car's proportions were visually appealing whether on 17-inch wheels or 20-inch wheels with ground effects and quad exhausts.

The cabriolet version of the E-Class showcased the fluid, creaseless form best, with a contrasting soft top that revealed a sumptuous interior. When specified correctly, the E-Class delighted with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by four circular air vents and a row of knurled silver toggles for climate control. The ambient lighting, available in 64 colors with various animations, added to the luxurious feel. Heated armrests, massaging seats, and striking colors made the E-Class a place for solitude, even in its base form with leatherette and standard seats.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained the exterior styling from its 2020 facelift, which was the first major change in nearly a decade. The Passat's body shell remained the same, but every panel except the roof was updated, giving it a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan. This resulted in a more understated look compared to rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's rounded-off corners and aerodynamic shape, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, contributed to better fuel economy, though the effect was not dramatic.

Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with 17-inch alloy wheels on base models, 18-inch wheels on SE models, and 19-inch wheels with an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) on R-Line models. The R-Line trim also added sportier exterior styling elements, including model-specific front and rear bumpers and a rear spoiler. However, the Passat's color palette was less vibrant than the Jetta's. Inside, the Passat's clean, functional design featured well-placed analog controls, enhancing forward and side visibility. The flat-bottomed steering wheel was the only questionable design choice in an otherwise straightforward interior.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of powertrains, starting with the E350, which replaced the E300. The E350 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The revised turbo with a twin-scroll design and shorter intake runners provided quicker response, though the car's heavy weight made passing maneuvers challenging. The E450, with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offered a more balanced and effortless performance. The AMG E53 and AMG E63 S models provided even more power, with the E53's hybrid setup delivering 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and the E63 S's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy varied from 16 to 32 mpg, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. While the torque output was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. Power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved the response. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness of competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were good but not exceptional.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system on its large, non-touchscreen displays. The system required multiple steps to change settings, making it highly distracting while driving. However, the E-Class excelled in functionality with seat and seat climate controls on the door panels, ample space in every dimension, and clear sightlines. The coupe had a usable rear seat with its own window controls, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The digital dash, when set up properly, provided clear and high-resolution gauges.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, though it was slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. Front legroom and headroom were below average, and the driving position was uncomfortable for medium-sized drivers. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than the Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, but the layout of controls was user-friendly, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach. The analog gauges were easy to read and aesthetically pleasing.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured advanced technology, including a semi-automated driving system that could steer, change lanes, and sense obstacles. The Driver Assistance Package offered a comprehensive list of features, while the V2X system communicated with nearby Mercedes models about road hazards. The dash could be reconfigured in three designs, and the Burmester stereo provided surround-sound modes. Other features included multi-contour seats, a front camera, and the Energizing Comfort Package, which adjusted climate settings and lighting to match preset moods. AMG models included a Track Pace app for race track guidance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity, with two rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen included pinch-to-zoom capability, but dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls made it largely unnecessary for basic functions. The Passat lacked flashy features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and MIB3 infotainment system available in other VW models.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were considered equally safe. Innovations included Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that inflated during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with 14 optional driver-assist features.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, 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.