2020 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

2020 Volkswagen Passat
2020 Volkswagen Passat
$22,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Maxima
2020 Nissan Maxima
$34,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Volkswagen Passat
$22,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Maxima
$34,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$22,995

MSRP

$34,450

Average price

$17,382

Average price

$20,625

Listings

284

Listings

260

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.8 out of 10
Pros
  • Spacious
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Poor ride quality
Pros
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Powerful engine
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Not much cargo space

2020 Volkswagen Passat Reviews Summary

Volkswagen builds a full-size car in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has for nearly a decade. It’s called the Passat, and it gets a restyle for 2020. Huge inside like a full-size automobile, priced like a midsize sedan, and thrifty with gas like a compact car, the Passat has long been one of my favorite family haulers. Unfortunately, what it needs is a redesign, not a restyle. But since consumers want SUVs instead of sedans and VW is about to roll out a squadron of electric vehicles, the company couldn’t make a business case for spending a pile of cash to craft a new gas-powered car. Instead, you get the old one wearing a new suit.

2020 Nissan Maxima Reviews Summary

Despite finding itself inside a rapidly shrinking segment, the Nissan Maxima shines through with its plush accommodations, potent powertrain, luxe interior, and spacious trunk. The Maxima has continued to be upgraded since its current generation debuted, making it worthy of a long look if you’re in the market for an SUV alternative. Nissan refreshed the Maxima for the 2019 model year, so changes for 2020 are minimal.
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 174 hp I4

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

174 hp @ 5200 rpm

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

MPG City

23

MPG City

20

MPG Highway

34

MPG Highway

30
2020 Volkswagen Passat
2020 Volkswagen Passat
$22,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Maxima
2020 Nissan Maxima
$34,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Volkswagen Passat
$22,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2020 Nissan Maxima
$34,450MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$22,995
$34,450
Average price
$17,382
$20,625
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.6
4.3
Expert reviews

8.0 out of 10

Read full review

7.8 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Spacious
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Poor ride quality
Pros
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Powerful engine
Cons
  • Outdated technology
  • Not much cargo space
Summary
Volkswagen builds a full-size car in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has for nearly a decade. It’s called the Passat, and it gets a restyle for 2020. Huge inside like a full-size automobile, priced like a midsize sedan, and thrifty with gas like a compact car, the Passat has long been one of my favorite family haulers. Unfortunately, what it needs is a redesign, not a restyle. But since consumers want SUVs instead of sedans and VW is about to roll out a squadron of electric vehicles, the company couldn’t make a business case for spending a pile of cash to craft a new gas-powered car. Instead, you get the old one wearing a new suit.
Despite finding itself inside a rapidly shrinking segment, the Nissan Maxima shines through with its plush accommodations, potent powertrain, luxe interior, and spacious trunk. The Maxima has continued to be upgraded since its current generation debuted, making it worthy of a long look if you’re in the market for an SUV alternative. Nissan refreshed the Maxima for the 2019 model year, so changes for 2020 are minimal.
Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
2.0L 174 hp I4
3.5L 300 hp V6
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
174 hp @ 5200 rpm
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
MPG City
23
20
MPG Highway
34
30
Look and feel
2020 Volkswagen Passat
8/10
2020 Nissan Maxima
8/10

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat bore a striking resemblance to its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the redesigned VW Jetta. Its exterior design borrowed heavily from the Jetta, giving it a familiar yet slightly updated look. Inside, the Passat retained the architectural T-square dashboard of the previous model, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while easy to clean, did not exude a premium feel. However, the Passat was designed with ease in mind—easy to look at, easy to drive, and easy on the wallet. It was available in four trims: S, SE, R-Line, and SEL, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $31,095.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, shared its design language with other Nissan models, featuring the signature V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design and quad-tip exhaust finishers added a sporty touch, especially in the SR trim, which also included a rear spoiler. The Maxima was available in S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum trims. The Platinum trim, which was tested, came with 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and Goodyear all-season tires. Inside, the Maxima's cabin was filled with high-quality materials, especially in the Platinum Reserve Package, which featured semi-aniline leather and Satin Bronze interior finishers. The thick center console created a segmented front row, but the cabin remained spacious and comfortable.

Performance
2020 Volkswagen Passat
6/10
2020 Nissan Maxima
8/10

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It used a 6-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels. The Passat's powertrain was simple and efficient, averaging 26 mpg in combined driving, just shy of the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The steering was light and precise, and the brakes were effective, though a bit grabby. The suspension, however, was a mixed bag—too stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over undulations, resulting in a somewhat busy ride.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite being marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more comfortable as a cruiser. It handled road imperfections well and featured active noise cancellation in higher trims. The Maxima's fuel economy was estimated at 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. While it lacked all-wheel drive, the Maxima felt planted in most driving situations, though it could get a bit squirrelly under hard acceleration.

Form and function
2020 Volkswagen Passat
9/10
2020 Nissan Maxima
7/10

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide, comfortable seats and excellent outward visibility. Cloth upholstery was standard in the base S trim, while higher trims featured V-Tex leatherette or genuine leather. The trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, easily accommodating full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers. The Passat's size and utility made it a practical choice, only falling short if all-wheel drive or a third-row seat was needed.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima also provided a spacious and comfortable interior, though the thick center console limited the feeling of openness. The front seats were wide and comfortable, suitable for long road trips. However, the Maxima lagged behind competitors in legroom and cargo space, offering 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space. Despite these limitations, the Maxima handled daily cargo and seating needs well. The front in-door bottle holders were a practical feature, accommodating 20-ounce bottles.

Technology
2020 Volkswagen Passat
6/10
2020 Nissan Maxima
7/10

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked the latest infotainment and digital cockpit technologies, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen display. However, it included App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim added navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs. The Passat also offered an optional remote engine start system and parking steering-assist system in the SEL trim.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch driver information display, though they were not the most modern in appearance. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, and the Platinum trim offered NissanConnect Services. An optional Bose Premium Audio system with 11 speakers was available. The Maxima also featured an Around View Monitor camera system, a power rear sunshade, and keyless entry. USB-A and USB-C ports were available in the front and rear, making charging devices convenient.

Safety
2020 Volkswagen Passat
10/10
2020 Nissan Maxima
9/10

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. An automatic post-collision braking system was also standard. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat earned the top rating of Good in IIHS crash tests.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard across all trims, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control were standard on all trims except the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, earning a top "superior" rating for front crash prevention.

Cost Effectiveness
2020 Volkswagen Passat
9/10
2020 Nissan Maxima
8/10

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2020 Nissan Maxima scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of comfort, practicality, and value.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2020 Nissan Maxima scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of comfort, practicality, and value.

CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Nissan Maxima2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat2021 Honda Accord vs 2022 Nissan Maxima2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat2021 Audi A4 vs 2022 Nissan Maxima2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2021 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat2021 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2021 Honda Civic2021 MINI Cooper vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Nissan Maxima2021 Lexus ES vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2021 Lexus ES2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Nissan Maxima2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Nissan Maxima2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Chrysler 300 vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 Lexus ES vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 Toyota Prius vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 Kia Optima vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Honda Accord vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 MINI Cooper vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 BMW 5 Series vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2020 Audi A4 vs 2021 Nissan Maxima2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Hyundai Sonata2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Toyota Prius2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Subaru Impreza2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 BMW 5 Series2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Subaru Impreza2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Toyota Prius2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Hyundai Sonata2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Chrysler 3002019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Volkswagen Golf GTI2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 BMW 5 Series2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Lexus ES2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Kia Optima2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Chevrolet Malibu2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Honda Accord2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Honda Accord2019 Nissan Maxima vs 2020 Audi A42019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Audi A42019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra2019 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Chevrolet Impala