2021 Mazda MAZDA3 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. Its exterior design borrowed heavily from the Jetta, creating a familiar yet refreshed look. Inside, the Passat featured a revamped dashboard that retained the architectural T-square design of the previous model, complete with a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while easy to clean, did not exude a premium feel. However, the Passat was designed to be user-friendly, with easy access, straightforward controls, and a comfortable driving experience. It was available in four trims: S, SE, R-Line, and SEL, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $31,095.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, which debuted in 2019, won the prestigious World Car Design of the Year for 2020. Its exterior design was a blend of drama and sophistication, with the 4-door sedan offering a more conservative look compared to the aggressive stance of the 5-door hatchback. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both body styles, featured all-wheel drive and came in standard or Premium Plus trim. The base price for the sedan was $29,900, while the hatchback with Premium Plus trim was $33,750. The interior of the Mazda3 Turbo was lined with Nappa leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, exuding a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium features like front seat ventilation and rear-seat amenities. The trunk space was competitive, with the sedan offering 13.2 cubic feet and the hatchback providing 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 6-speed automatic transmission that powered the front wheels. The Passat's powertrain was simple, with a Sport transmission setting and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The car's torque allowed it to accelerate smoothly, although the transmission occasionally upshifted too eagerly. The Passat averaged 26 mpg on a testing loop, just shy of the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The steering was light and precise, and the brakes were effective, though the suspension tuning was less than ideal, resulting in a stiff ride over sharp bumps and a floaty feel over undulations.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Turbo featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with 93-octane fuel, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft with 87-octane gas. The engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system. The turbocharged powertrain added only 120 pounds to the car, significantly enhancing its performance. The Mazda3 Turbo's engine and transmission response were smooth and predictable, delivering impressive speed without the freneticism of a typical high-powered compact car. The car's Sport mode adjusted the transmission and G-Vectoring Control Plus software for improved cornering. The Mazda3 Turbo's steering feel and response were enhanced, and it featured stiffer front suspension springs and dampers. The car averaged 20.4 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA's 27-mpg estimate, likely due to the spirited driving style during the test.

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, plenty of storage bins and trays, and excellent outward visibility. Cloth upholstery was standard in the Passat S, while the SE and R-Line trims had V-Tex leatherette seats, and the SEL trim featured genuine leather. The trunk space measured 15.9 cubic feet, providing ample room for luggage and other items. The Passat's size and utility made it a practical choice, with the only reasons to opt for a more expensive SUV being the need for all-wheel drive, big-box cargo capability, or a third-row seat.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior was lined with Nappa leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, giving it a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium features, such as front seat ventilation and rear-seat amenities like air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger's seat did not. In-cabin storage was adequate but limited, especially if the optional wireless smartphone charging was chosen, as it occupied the center console bin. The sedan's trunk space measured 13.2 cubic feet, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with the seat folded down.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked Volkswagen's latest infotainment system and Digital Cockpit instrumentation technologies, but it still offered essential features. The car came with a 6.3-inch touchscreen display, App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim included navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The Passat's infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs. The test car also had an optional remote engine start system, and the SEL trim offered a parking steering-assist system.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which included an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial subscription to Mazda Connected Services. The system also offered a WiFi hotspot and a MyMazda smartphone app for remote operation of the car's door locks and engine. However, the infotainment screen was not touch-sensitive, and the voice-recognition technology was subpar. The system's controls were not intuitive, causing frustration when trying to change radio stations or skip through presets. The Mazda3 Turbo came with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, which sounded better than most at this price point. The car also featured an Active Driving Display (HUD) that remained visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety systems. Standard features included 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, helping to reduce the potential for injury in secondary collisions. The Passat SE added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat earned top ratings in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured Mazda's i-ActiveSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), designed to support the driver and prevent collisions. The system included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights with an Adaptive Front Lighting System, and various warning types and sensitivity levels. The Premium Plus trim added a high-definition surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.