2020 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat had a familiar design that could be quite recognizable to those familiar with its predecessors. Its exterior styling drew heavily from the older Passat models from 2012 to 2019 and the recently redesigned VW Jetta. Essentially, VW incorporated Jetta styling cues onto the older Passat body, creating the 2020 model. However, the changes were more significant inside, where the revamped dashboard adhered closely to the previous car's design. The main difference was that it stuck with a smaller 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, lacking the latest VW technology and foregoing the larger displays and digital instrumentation found in the Jetta.

In terms of materials, the Passat predominantly featured cheap, glossy plastics, which, while not the most premium, were easy to clean. The car adopted an "easy" philosophy: easy on the eyes, easy to get in and out of, easy to use, easy to drive, and easy on the wallet. The Passat was available in four trims: the base S ($22,995), the SE ($25,845), the R-Line ($28,645), and the top SEL ($31,095). The R-Line, particularly sporty looking, could be equipped with extra-cost Aurora Red paint and remote engine start, bringing its price to $30,206 including the destination charge.

On the other hand, the 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish appearance, one of the most visually appealing Accord models in history. Despite potential critiques regarding its front styling and rounded roofline, it maintained a mainstream family sedan appeal with an upscale, sexy fastback look. Particularly with the 19-inch wheels available on the Sport and Touring trims, the Accord had a significant visual presence. Other trims featured 17-inch wheels, which, while less visually appealing, offered a cost-effective replacement option.

Honda offered the 2020 Accord in various trims - LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, along with a Hybrid version. Prices started at $24,270, going up to $36,400 MSRP, with the Touring test car priced at $37,355 including the destination charge. The Radiant Red paint with an Ivory interior contrasted beautifully with the black dashboard and carpets, creating a luxurious feel. Inside, the quality of materials was top-notch, with soft primary touchpoints and realistic matte-finish simulated wood.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, running on regular gas. It had a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The lack of multiple driving modes and a straightforward powertrain appealed to those looking for simplicity. The engine's torque allowed the Passat to get up to speed without much effort, though the transmission had a tendency to upshift eagerly, which could make the car feel like it was stumbling. This issue was resolved in Sport mode. During testing, it averaged 26 mpg, close to the EPA's 27-mpg rating in combined driving.

The Passat's light and effortless steering, coupled with German engineering, provided a pleasant driving experience. The brakes were firm and resilient, and the R-Line’s 19-inch wheels offered good grip. However, the suspension tuning was less ideal, being too stiff over sharp bumps and too floaty over rises and dips. Despite its age, the Passat communicated road texture effectively due to its relatively uninsulated cabin.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord offered more engine choices. The standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder produced 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, mated to a CVT. The Accord Hybrid’s powertrain, generating 212 horsepower, was ideal for those focused on fuel economy, averaging 42.6 mpg in testing. For those seeking more power, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission produced 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This setup made the Accord quick, though it struggled with traction when accelerating hard, an issue common in powerful front-wheel-drive cars.

The Accord's Economy and Sport driving modes significantly altered powertrain response, and it averaged 27.4 mpg, better than the EPA’s estimate of 26 mpg combined. The car’s adaptive dampers provided excellent body control, making it fun to drive while maintaining a compliant ride over pavement undulations. The precise and properly weighted steering added to its driving pleasure, though the braking system, while effective, could falter under heavy use.

Volkswagen designed the Passat for the American market, resulting in an exceptionally spacious interior. It featured wide, comfortable seats, large door openings, and enough room for five passengers. The Passat had plenty of storage spaces, large cupholders, and excellent outward visibility. The base S trim came with cloth upholstery, while the SE and R-Line featured V-Tex leatherette. The top SEL trim had genuine leather sport seats. Heated seats were available, and rear air conditioning vents helped keep passengers cool.

The Passat’s trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, featuring a flat load floor for maximum utility. It could accommodate full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers with ease. The trunk lid opened fully with the key fob and had grips for easy closing. Given its size and utility, the Passat only lagged SUVs in terms of all-wheel drive, cargo capacity, and third-row seating options.

In comparison, the 2020 Honda Accord's interior was also spacious, almost comparable to a full-size sedan. It boasted significantly more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than competitors like the Toyota Camry. The Accord’s 12-way power driver’s seat was extremely comfortable, with good thigh support, padded armrests, and heating and ventilation. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment.

The back seat of the Accord was equally comfortable, with wide doors for easy access, ample thigh support, and a natural seating angle. The Touring trim included heated outboard rear seats and rear air conditioning vents. The trunk provided 16.7 cubic feet of space, sufficient for full-size suitcases, though it lacked an easy-to-use trunk handle. The Accord’s cabin featured plenty of storage, clear instrumentation, and ergonomically designed controls. The layered dashboard design enhanced the perception of interior space.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat’s infotainment system lacked the latest VW tech and had a small 6.3-inch touchscreen, but it still covered the basics. It included App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The standard 6-speaker sound system was adequate. The SEL trim included navigation and a premium Fender sound system. The optional remote engine start and parking assist (exclusive to SEL) added convenience.

Conversely, the 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, praised for its usability. It included volume and tuning knobs, shortcut buttons, clear graphics, and steering wheel controls. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text-messaging support. Higher trims like EX-L and Touring offered a ten-speaker premium sound system, HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging. However, the system lacked natural voice recognition.

The Accord Touring also had a head-up display, visible even when wearing polarized sunglasses, and a multi-angle reversing camera, enhancing visibility.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat excelled in safety features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and an automatic post-collision braking system. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, and the SEL trim offered parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat received the top “Good” rating from the IIHS.

Honda's 2020 Accord also stood out in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five stars from NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, an appreciated feature among consumers. However, the system could use refinements, as it sometimes gave false alerts and presented a jerky adaptive cruise control experience.