2021 Toyota Prius vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, the Prius featured a unique and somewhat awkward layout, with instrumentation placed in a strip of displays near the windshield and unconventional transmission controls. The dashboard design, with its dramatic wrap into the door panels and a narrow center console, was cluttered with gloss-black trim that attracted dust and fingerprints.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat, which had undergone a significant facelift in 2020, maintained a more understated and conventional design. Its exterior bore a strong resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta, with a smooth, aerodynamic shape reminiscent of 1990s sedans. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes varying by trim. The R-Line trim added sportier styling elements. Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with well-placed analog controls and a low dashboard that enhanced visibility. However, the interior materials were mostly plastic, and the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in this otherwise un-sporty car.

The 2021 Toyota Prius was all about fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-wheel-drive models managed 52 mpg, while the AWD-e versions achieved 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition, however, fell short of these estimates, averaging 47.5 mpg on the testing loop. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. While this wasn't much for the 3,020-pound car, the electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque provided a lively feel off the line. The Prius also featured various driving modes and regenerative braking to maximize efficiency, making it ideal for urban commuting.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, offered 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, which was enough to spin the wheels when pulling away from a stop. However, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, necessitating the use of Sport mode or manual gear selection for better performance. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness of competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. While it provided a comfortable ride on the highway, it didn't excel in any particular area.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than one might expect, comfortably seating up to five people. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the low seating position made entry and exit challenging, and the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery tended to trap sweat. Rear passengers had adequate space but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than some competitors but still generous. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The driving position was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and inadequate thigh support. The rear seats were also flat and hard. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than others. In-cabin storage was limited, and the door bottle holders were poorly designed. However, the layout of controls was excellent, with large buttons and knobs within easy reach.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard equipment included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota’s Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard. However, the standard stereo speaker sound quality was poor, and road noise overwhelmed it on the highway. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen, but it lacked Android Auto.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim 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 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering features like automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. The Prius received favorable marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it lacked a rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The 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, which provided additional safety measures after a collision.