2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat presented a familiar exterior design, reminiscent of its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the recently redesigned VW Jetta. It borrowed styling cues from the Jetta, giving it a recognizable yet refreshed appearance. Inside, the Passat maintained a traditional dashboard layout, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interior was characterized by the use of glossy plastic materials, which, while not luxurious, were easy to clean. The Passat was designed with simplicity in mind, offering ease of use, comfort, and affordability. It was available in four trims, with the R-Line trim providing a sporty look and additional features.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback underwent subtle styling updates, including body-color crossbars on the air intakes, a new grille, and smoked headlights. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint, stood out with its glossy black detailing, often mistaken for the more aggressive Type R model. Inside, the Civic Sport Touring featured stitched leather, soft surfaces, and quality materials, providing a refined cabin experience. The six-speed manual gearbox added a sporty touch, and the Civic Hatchback offered a range of trims, starting from the base LX to the top-tier Sport Touring, each providing a balance of performance and practicality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 6-speed automatic transmission, which powered the front wheels. The Passat's powertrain was straightforward, lacking multiple driving modes but offering a Sport setting and paddle shifters. The car's torque allowed for smooth acceleration, although the transmission occasionally upshifted early to enhance fuel economy. The Passat achieved an average of 26 mpg, close to the EPA's 27-mpg rating. Its steering was light yet precise, and the brakes were effective, though the suspension tuning was a drawback, providing a stiff ride over bumps and a floaty feel over undulations.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, particularly in Sport and Sport Touring trims, featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It produced 174 horsepower in the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in the Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque varied depending on the transmission, with the CVT offering 162 lb-ft and the manual providing 177 lb-ft. The Civic Hatchback's engine was quiet and refined, and while the manual transmission had long clutch travel, it offered a different driving experience compared to the Civic Si. The Civic Hatchback was more comfortable for daily use, with a softer ride and quieter cabin. It achieved an impressive 32.7 mpg during testing, surpassing the EPA's 32 mpg rating.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide seats, large door openings, and ample room for five passengers. It featured numerous storage options and excellent visibility. The Passat's trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, with a flat load floor for easy storage of luggage and strollers. The Passat's practicality made it a compelling alternative to more expensive SUVs, unless all-wheel drive or additional seating was required.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a competitive alternative to SUVs, with 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing the Honda HR-V Touring. While it couldn't match the HR-V's maximum volume, the Civic Hatchback excelled in performance and fuel efficiency. The driver's seat was low, but once settled, the Sport Touring's heated leather seats provided comfort. The Civic's center console was cleverly designed for storage, and rear seat comfort was commendable, though lacking air-conditioning vents. The Civic Hatchback balanced practicality with driving enjoyment.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked the latest infotainment and digital cockpit technologies, but it offered essential features like App Connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The SEL trim included navigation and a premium Fender sound system. The Passat's infotainment system was simple, with physical buttons and knobs, and the optional remote engine start system added convenience.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a stylish dashboard with digital instrumentation and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in most trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a premium sound system in the Sport Touring trim. The Civic offered automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, enhancing convenience. However, the infotainment system lacked a tuning knob and advanced voice-recognition technology.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat prioritized safety with standard features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. It also included an automatic post-collision braking system. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim offered parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat received a top rating of Good from the IIHS.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the system showed some refinement issues during testing. The Civic lacked a blind-spot monitoring system, relying on LaneWatch for the right-side blind spot. The Civic received top crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to poor headlight performance.