2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat
Overview | |
MSRP$22,995 | MSRP$31,875 |
Average price$17,396 | Average price$23,429 |
Listings276 | Listings275 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
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2020 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryVolkswagen 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. | |
2021 Chrysler 300 Reviews SummaryYou might think the 2021 Chrysler 300 is getting long in the tooth. And you’d be right. This car is so old that it's been through three different car companies (if you count the first generation). But like an aging starting catcher who has watched three different managers come and go, the Chrysler 300 still delivers on a daily basis. It provides North American consumers with a proper front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) luxury sedan at a reasonable price. No other American manufacturer offers that, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything that competes with it from Europe, Japan or Korea. Starting at just $31,000 MSRP, and offering options for all-wheel drive (AWD) or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, it’s no wonder that an average of 43,000 new car buyers a year have found the 300 so appealing since the second generation arrived for the 2011 model year. | |
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Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine3.6L 292 hp V6 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainRWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower292 hp @ 6350 rpm |
MPG City23 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway30 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine Name3.6L 292 hp V6 |
Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | Torque260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower292 hp @ 6350 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainRWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City23 | MPG City19 |
MPG Highway34 | MPG Highway30 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.9 cu ft | Cargo Space16.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight3325 lbs | Curb Weight4013 lbs |
Height58.0 in | Height58.5 in |
Length193.6 in | Length198.6 in |
Width72.2 in | Width75.0 in |
Wheelbase110.4 in | Wheelbase120.0 in |
Maximum Payload926 lbs | Maximum Payload1087 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | Maximum Towing Capacity1000 lbs |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $22,995 | $31,875 |
Average price | $17,396 | $23,429 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
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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. | You might think the 2021 Chrysler 300 is getting long in the tooth. And you’d be right. This car is so old that it's been through three different car companies (if you count the first generation). But like an aging starting catcher who has watched three different managers come and go, the Chrysler 300 still delivers on a daily basis. It provides North American consumers with a proper front-engine, rear-wheel drive (RWD) luxury sedan at a reasonable price. No other American manufacturer offers that, and you’d be hard-pressed to find anything that competes with it from Europe, Japan or Korea. Starting at just $31,000 MSRP, and offering options for all-wheel drive (AWD) or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine, it’s no wonder that an average of 43,000 new car buyers a year have found the 300 so appealing since the second generation arrived for the 2011 model year. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 3.6L 292 hp V6 |
Drive Train | FWD | RWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm | 292 hp @ 6350 rpm |
MPG City | 23 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 30 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 3.6L 292 hp V6 |
Torque | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm | 292 hp @ 6350 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 23 | 19 |
MPG Highway | 34 | 30 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.9 cu ft | 16.3 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3325 lbs | 4013 lbs |
Height | 58.0 in | 58.5 in |
Length | 193.6 in | 198.6 in |
Width | 72.2 in | 75.0 in |
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 120.0 in |
Maximum Payload | 926 lbs | 1087 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 1000 lbs | |
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 and applied them to the older Passat model, resulting in a car that was easy on the eyes. Inside, the Passat maintained a straightforward dashboard design, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While it lacked the latest VW technology, it offered a user-friendly experience with easy-to-clean materials and a focus on simplicity. The Passat was available in four trims, with the SE trim offering a good balance of value and features.
In contrast, the 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its classic "three-box design" that had been a staple since its 2014 facelift. This design gave the 300 a timeless and recognizable profile. The car's exterior featured bi-xenon halogen projector lamps with LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims offered adaptive HID lamps. The 300's grille options varied between black and chrome, maintaining a tough and no-nonsense appearance. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch alloys on the base trim to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. The Chrysler 300 exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication, making it a standout choice for those who appreciated a classic design.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly powerful, it offered the advantage of not requiring premium gasoline. The Passat featured a 6-speed automatic transmission that powered the front wheels, providing a straightforward driving experience. The car's simplicity extended to its powertrain, with minimal driving modes and a focus on ease of use. The Passat's steering was light and precise, and its brakes were reliable, though the suspension tuning left something to be desired, resulting in a somewhat stiff ride over rough surfaces.
The 2021 Chrysler 300, on the other hand, offered a more robust performance with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and Touring L trims. The 300S trim boasted 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, with an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine delivering 363 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque. The 300 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The V6 provided a comfortable and capable driving experience, while the V8 added an extra layer of excitement. The Chrysler 300 excelled in delivering a traditional luxury feel, especially in higher trims.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide, comfortable seats and ample room for five passengers. The car featured generous storage options, including sizable cupholders and storage bins. The Passat's trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, accommodating full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers with ease. The car's practicality and utility made it a compelling choice for those seeking a spacious sedan without the need for an SUV.
In comparison, the 2021 Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious interior with generous front and rear legroom, measuring 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back. The 300's passenger volume of 106.3 cubic feet surpassed many competitors, providing a comfortable and spacious environment. The trunk offered 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, making it suitable for carrying large suitcases. The Chrysler 300's interior quality rivaled that of higher-priced luxury sedans, making it an attractive option for those seeking a premium experience.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked the latest infotainment and digital cockpit technologies, but it still offered essential features such as App Connect, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The Passat's infotainment system was straightforward and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs for easy operation. The SEL trim added navigation and a premium Fender sound system, enhancing the overall experience. The Passat also offered optional remote engine start and parking steering-assist systems.
The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, known for its intuitive interface and functionality. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The 300's infotainment system was praised for its ease of use, with prominent knobs and steering wheel-mounted controls. The Popular Equipment Group package added advanced features such as a 506-watt amplifier, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, and a dual-pane sunroof, enhancing the car's technology offerings.
The 2020 Volkswagen Passat prioritized safety with standard features such as forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The car also included an automatic post-collision braking system to reduce the risk of secondary collisions. The Passat 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 "Good" rating from the IIHS in crash tests.
The 2021 Chrysler 300 received mixed safety ratings, with "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but a "Marginal" score in small overlap tests and a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 300 a four-star overall crash test rating. The car came equipped with active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available through optional packages, but they were not standard across all trims, which was a disadvantage compared to some competitors.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 Chrysler 300 scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of features, safety, and overall value.
Choose the 2021 Chrysler 300 if:
- You desire a classic and luxurious design with a spacious interior.
- You seek a more powerful engine option, including a V8 for added performance.
- You appreciate advanced technology features and a premium infotainment system.
Choose the 2020 Volkswagen Passat if:
- You prioritize a spacious interior with ample room for passengers and cargo.
- You prefer a straightforward and user-friendly infotainment system.
- You value a car with a strong focus on safety features.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 Chrysler 300 scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of features, safety, and overall value.
Choose the 2021 Chrysler 300 if:
Shop Now- You desire a classic and luxurious design with a spacious interior.
- You seek a more powerful engine option, including a V8 for added performance.
- You appreciate advanced technology features and a premium infotainment system.
Choose the 2020 Volkswagen Passat if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a spacious interior with ample room for passengers and cargo.
- You prefer a straightforward and user-friendly infotainment system.
- You value a car with a strong focus on safety features.
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.