2021 Honda Civic vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat bore a striking resemblance to its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the recently redesigned VW Jetta. It adopted Jetta's styling cues, giving it a familiar yet refreshed look. Inside, the Passat's dashboard retained the architectural T-square design of the previous model, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, but it was easy to clean and user-friendly. The Passat was available in four trims: S, SE, R-Line, and SEL, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $31,095. The R-Line, with its sporty appearance and additional features, was priced at $30,206, including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic continued to build on its legacy of segment-defining models released every decade. The 10th-generation Civic, introduced in 2016, remained a polarizing yet familiar sight on the roads. The 2021 Civic was available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, with the coupe and Civic Si on hiatus. The sedan came in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $21,250 and reaching $29,690 for the Touring trim. The Civic's interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful design, with a maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches.

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 regular gas and was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The Passat's powertrain was simple, with a Sport transmission setting and paddle shifters. The car's torque allowed it to accelerate smoothly, though the transmission occasionally upshifted too eagerly. The Passat averaged 26 mpg, just shy of the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The steering was light yet precise, and the brakes were effective but could be grabby. The suspension, however, was a mixed bag, being too stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over undulations, resulting in a busy ride.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The more desirable turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, produced 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The Civic's turbo engine, combined with its sophisticated suspension and steering, made it a delight to drive. However, the CVT was a drawback, as it could drone and feel unsophisticated. Despite this, the Civic excelled in fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg, surpassing the EPA estimate of 33 mpg.

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 sizable cupholders, numerous storage bins, and excellent outward visibility. Cloth upholstery was standard in the base S trim, while higher trims offered V-Tex leatherette or genuine leather seats. The trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, accommodating full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers with ease. The Passat's size and utility made it a practical alternative to more expensive SUVs, except for those needing all-wheel drive, big-box cargo capability, or a third-row seat.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard from the EX-L trim onward. The Civic's interior was roomy, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with comfortable rear seats offering excellent thigh support. The center console provided remarkable storage space, and the trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked Volkswagen's 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's simplicity was a refreshing change from modern norms, and the optional remote engine start system was a useful feature.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age, with the base LX trim offering a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Civic's voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

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 a top rating of Good from the IIHS.

The 2021 Honda Civic featured Honda Sensing, a collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic also offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, starting with the EX trim. However, LaneWatch had its drawbacks, and the Civic lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every assessment.