2021 BMW 3 Series vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional familial look, reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy, with a large, oddly-shaped grille that seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. The design lacked distinctive features beyond the grille and headlights, which referenced older models' "halo" lights. The test car featured M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers, part of the optional M Sport trim package. The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, with synthetic Sensatec material as standard. The optional M heated steering wheel looked out of place in the conservatively styled interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition commemorated the model's passing with exclusive features. Only 1,973 units were produced, each with unique 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and special badges. The test car's Racing Green paint color was exclusive to this edition. The interior featured Mauro Brown leather upholstery, fake wood trim, and special seat tags. The Passat's design, though over a decade old, aged well and looked upscale. However, the interior had a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies, such as a small 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Despite these drawbacks, the Passat's cabin displayed modernity with integrated dashboard air vents and metallic detailing.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the base 330i, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque; a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque; and a turbo inline-six in the M340i, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All powertrains were available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The M340i could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. The 330e matched the 330i's zero to 60 mph time despite its extra weight. However, the 330e's transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the driving experience lacked engagement. The chassis provided a comfortable highway ride and excellent handling, but the overall driving experience was underwhelming.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels. The Passat's turbo engine provided adequate power for commuting and highway cruising, but it lacked immediate power for passing. Switching to Sport mode improved responsiveness without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The Passat achieved 30.7 mpg on a mountainous testing loop, exceeding the EPA's 28 mpg combined rating. The 18.5-gallon fuel tank allowed for over 500 miles between refueling. The Passat prioritized ride quality, but the suspension conveyed road surface anomalies, making the car feel jittery at lower speeds. Brake pedal feel was inconsistent, causing aggravation for drivers and passengers. On the highway, the Passat was quiet, with a low coefficient of drag and silent tires. Despite its sedate behavior, the Passat exhibited traditional German handling traits on twisty roads, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better interior space than most small luxury sedans. Rear headroom was the best in the segment, and front headroom was above average. However, legroom in both rows was about average, and shoulder room was less generous than the Acura TLX. Gasoline 3 Series models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's battery pack reduced it to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space, although a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat boasted a spacious cabin with room for five adults. The Limited Edition's front seats offered eight-way power adjustment but lacked separate bottom cushion angle adjustment. The rear seats provided cross-your-legs comfort, with ample legroom, air conditioning vents, USB ports, and coat hooks. Storage space was good, with many locations lined with rubber to reduce noise. The Passat's 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space was not class-leading but adequate. The trunk had no underfloor trays or side bins, so securing groceries was necessary. The remote keyless entry fob allowed for easy trunk access.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with a standard iDrive infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display (HUD). The infotainment system was premium, with high-quality graphics and responsive controls. BMW provided multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system featured a 6.3-inch screen with App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth. The R-Line and Limited Edition added HD Radio, navigation, and a Fender premium audio system. The voice recognition system worked for simple commands but struggled with complex ones. The Fender audio system was excellent, offering clarity and range. The Passat's infotainment system was less sophisticated than other VW models but provided essential features.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower than the base system in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 BMW 3 Series. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automated lane centering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat SE included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic rear braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Car-Net connected services offered Family Guardian alerts and emergency assistance calling. The R-Line trim added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition included adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and a park-assist system. The IIHS gave the top-trim headlights a "Good" rating, but the NHTSA rated the Passat four stars overall, with a three-star rating for frontal-impact collision protection.