2021 Subaru WRX 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 styling cues, giving it a familiar yet refreshed appearance. 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, which, while easy to clean, lacked the sophistication of more modern designs. The Passat was designed to be user-friendly, with easy access, simple 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. The R-Line, with its sporty look and additional features, was priced at $28,645, and my test car, with extra-cost Aurora Red paint and remote engine start, totaled $30,206.

The 2021 Subaru WRX, often criticized for its adolescent aesthetic, looked tamer compared to the racier WRX STI. It featured a wedge-like front end and a short trunk lid, giving it a speedy appearance even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to its sporty look. Inside, the WRX's cockpit was function-first, with a design reminiscent of Subaru compact cars from the past decade. The interior was filled with hard plastics, contributing to its less refined reputation compared to competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si. The WRX was available in Base, Premium, and Limited trims, with the base model offering essential features like a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Premium trim added more features, while the range-topping Limited trim included leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and additional driver-assistance features.

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 ran on regular gas and featured a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. The Passat's powertrain was simple, with a Sport transmission setting and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Despite its modest power, the Passat's torque allowed it to accelerate smoothly, though the transmission occasionally upshifted too eagerly. In Sport mode, the car's performance improved, and it averaged 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 a bit grabby. The car handled well in various driving conditions, but its suspension tuning was problematic. It was too stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over rises and dips, resulting in a busy ride. However, the Passat's German engineering provided good road feedback and a relatively quiet cabin.

The 2021 Subaru WRX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite its power advantage over rivals like the Civic Si and VW GTI, the WRX required precise rev management to maximize performance. The CVT, though not ideal for driving enthusiasts, kept the engine in the powerband effectively. The manual transmission, however, had a vague clutch feel, making it less satisfying to drive. The WRX also included Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing its cornering precision. The car's well-weighted steering made it enjoyable on winding roads, but its stiff ride was less comfortable compared to competitors. The WRX's suspension was tuned for performance, sacrificing some comfort in the process.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide, comfortable seats and large door openings. It could comfortably accommodate five people and featured ample storage options, including sizable cupholders and storage bins. The Passat's trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, with a flat load floor for maximum utility. It could easily fit full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers. The trunk lid opened fully with the key fob, and grips on both sides made it easy to close. The Passat's interior materials varied by trim, with cloth upholstery standard on the S trim, V-Tex leatherette on the SE and R-Line, and genuine leather on the SEL. Heated seats were available for cold weather, and rear air conditioning vents helped keep passengers cool in hot weather.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a three-box design. Its trunk offered up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Civic Si coupe but less than the sedan and significantly less than the VW GTI's cargo capacity. The WRX's interior packaging was less clever than more recent designs, with limited in-door bottle holders and center console cupholders that could obstruct shifting with the manual transmission. The WRX provided a comfortable driving position with excellent visibility. The center console tray and compartment offered decent storage space, and the rear seats could accommodate four adults comfortably. The sedan layout provided more practicality compared to a coupe or sports car, but the WRX's interior showed its age in terms of design and functionality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked Volkswagen's latest infotainment and Digital Cockpit technologies, but it still offered essential features. The 6.3-inch touchscreen display included App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The system was simple and easy to use, with physical buttons and knobs. The SEL trim added navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The Passat also offered an optional remote engine start system, which was useful for pre-conditioning the interior. The SEL trim included a parking steering-assist system, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls. The graphics were somewhat dated, but the system's ease of use was more important. The Limited trim offered an option package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing excellent sound quality. Despite updates, the WRX's infotainment system was not cutting-edge, reflecting the car's older design.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat included a comprehensive set of safety features. Standard equipment 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, reducing the risk of 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 the top rating of Good in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with the latest safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on the Premium and Limited trims but only with the CVT. The Limited trim offered additional options like adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. All WRX trims included a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.