2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was immediately recognizable. The N Line version further enhanced this with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, along with a standard panoramic sunroof that added to the car's spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the 2020 facelift, which was the first major change in nearly a decade. The Passat's design was more understated compared to its rivals, with a smooth, aerodynamic shape reminiscent of 1990s sedans. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with SE and R-Line models offering larger wheels and sportier styling elements. The interior followed a clean and functional design, with analog controls and a low dashboard for enhanced visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in this otherwise un-sporty car. The materials used were mostly plastic, with cloth upholstery on S models and V-Tex leatherette on higher trims, but the fit and finish were excellent.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. This power was managed by an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The car offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and featured an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line also had significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. On the road, it demonstrated impressive handling, minimal body roll, and a comfortable ride quality. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the torque was sufficient to spin the wheels from a stop, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, though switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved responsiveness. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness of competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, and rear-seat passengers benefited from air conditioning vents and a USB port. However, rear legroom and thigh support were not significantly better than the smaller Elantra N Line. The Sonata offered generous interior storage and a 16-cubic-foot trunk with a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle on the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. Front legroom and headroom were below average, and the driving position was uncomfortable for many drivers. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat's trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, more than some rivals but less than the Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, and door bottle holders were poorly shaped. However, the layout of controls was user-friendly, with large buttons and knobs within easy reach.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were frustrating. The infotainment system also offered Sounds of Nature for stress relief and Hyundai Digital Key for Android devices.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. R-Line models added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on SE and R-Line trims. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and most functions could be controlled via dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls. However, the Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 infotainment system.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The standard Sonata received high safety ratings, though specific ratings for the N Line were not available at the time of review.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 model. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW’s Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.