2020 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat bore a striking resemblance to its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the redesigned VW Jetta. The exterior design borrowed heavily from the Jetta, giving it a familiar yet refreshed look. Inside, the Passat retained its previous dashboard layout, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while not luxurious, was easy to clean. The Passat was designed to be user-friendly, with easy access, straightforward controls, and a comfortable driving experience. It was available in four trims: the base Passat S, the mid-range SE, the sporty R-Line, and the top-tier SEL.

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic jellybean shape, optimized for aerodynamics. Despite its hatchback design, the Prius incorporated sedan-like styling cues. The interior was futuristic, with a central location for instrumentation and gauges. The Prius was available in four trims: L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited. The base L Eco trim came with a host of standard features, including a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added more amenities, such as synthetic leather upholstery, heated seats, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim. The Prius also offered a special 2020 Edition with unique exterior accents.

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, with a Sport mode and paddle shifters for a more engaging drive. It achieved an average of 26 mpg, just shy of the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The Passat's steering was light and precise, and its brakes were effective, though the suspension tuning left something to be desired. The ride was stiff over sharp bumps but floated over larger undulations, reflecting its decade-old architecture.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (AWD-e) variants. The AWD-e system used a second electric motor for the rear wheels, operating at speeds up to 43 mph. The Prius offered three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving needs. The unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinctiveness. The Prius handled well for a hybrid, with a smooth ride and good bump absorption, making it ideal for daily commutes.

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. The trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, easily accommodating full-size suitcases and compact strollers. The Passat's interior featured cloth upholstery in the base S trim, with V-Tex leatherette in the SE and R-Line trims, and genuine leather in the SEL trim. Heated seats and rear air conditioning vents added to passenger comfort.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its compact platform, with deep door pockets and a large tray area between the front seats for storage. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with good visibility for the driver. The rear seats offered ample space, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius provided 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and between 24.6 and 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the trim. The hatchback design made loading and unloading cargo easy.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system featured a 6.3-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim added navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The Passat's infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs for easy operation. Optional remote engine start and parking steering-assist system were available on higher trims.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, featuring Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical information, with menus accessible via the steering wheel.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat included a comprehensive suite of safety features, such as 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 a top rating of Good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2020 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, and active park assist. The Prius also offered lane-tracing assist, which helped center the vehicle in its lane. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" accolade from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating.