2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Overview | |
MSRP$18,795 | MSRP$23,995 |
Average price$20,509 | Average price$19,494 |
Listings426 | Listings444 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2021 Subaru Impreza Reviews SummarySubaru developed a cult following thanks to cars like the Impreza. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Impreza has been a hit in wintry climates, offering the low operating costs of a compact car without the limited foul-weather capability of the mostly front-wheel drive (FWD) competition. The current Impreza represents the model’s fifth generation, and dates back to the 2017 model year. Available in sedan and hatchback form, the Impreza has also spawned the sporty Subaru WRX and more rugged looking Subaru Crosstrek, which have overshadowed the basic Impreza to some extent. We’ll cover the WRX and Crosstrek in separate reviews. Changes for the 2021 model year are limited to availability of SI-Drive drive modes on the Impreza Premium trim level (this feature was previously available only on the Impreza Sport) and a $100 price increase. The full Impreza lineup remains unchanged, encompassing base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trim levels for both the sedan and hatchback. Consequently, we’ll look back on our experience with previous model years for this overview. | |
2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryDespite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 152 hp H4 | Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower152 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City28 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 152 hp H4 | Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm | Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower152 hp @ 6000 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City28 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space12.3 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight2976 lbs | Curb Weight3314 lbs |
Height57.3 in | Height58.7 in |
Length182.7 in | Length193.6 in |
Width79.4 in | Width72.6 in |
Wheelbase105.1 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload1323 lbs | Maximum Payload948 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $18,795 | $23,995 |
Average price | $20,509 | $19,494 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 5.0 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 7.7 out of 10Read full review | 6.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
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Summary | Subaru developed a cult following thanks to cars like the Impreza. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Impreza has been a hit in wintry climates, offering the low operating costs of a compact car without the limited foul-weather capability of the mostly front-wheel drive (FWD) competition. The current Impreza represents the model’s fifth generation, and dates back to the 2017 model year. Available in sedan and hatchback form, the Impreza has also spawned the sporty Subaru WRX and more rugged looking Subaru Crosstrek, which have overshadowed the basic Impreza to some extent. We’ll cover the WRX and Crosstrek in separate reviews. Changes for the 2021 model year are limited to availability of SI-Drive drive modes on the Impreza Premium trim level (this feature was previously available only on the Impreza Sport) and a $100 price increase. The full Impreza lineup remains unchanged, encompassing base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trim levels for both the sedan and hatchback. Consequently, we’ll look back on our experience with previous model years for this overview. | Despite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 152 hp H4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 152 hp @ 6000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 28 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 152 hp H4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower | 152 hp @ 6000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 28 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 12.3 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 2976 lbs | 3314 lbs |
Height | 57.3 in | 58.7 in |
Length | 182.7 in | 193.6 in |
Width | 79.4 in | 72.6 in |
Wheelbase | 105.1 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1323 lbs | 948 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.