2021 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had become synonymous with the model since its second-generation debut in 2004. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to embrace its unique styling, which many found unappealing. The interior was equally unconventional, featuring a strip of displays mounted in the center of the dashboard, a toggle lever for transmission controls, and a narrow center console. Gloss-black trim, while trendy, attracted dust and fingerprints. The Prius was available in multiple trims, including L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat offered a more traditional and upscale look, especially with the Limited Edition trim. This special edition featured exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and unique badges, with only 1,973 units produced. The interior boasted Mauro Brown leather upholstery, fake wood trim, and special seat tags commemorating the Chattanooga factory. Despite its age, the Passat's design had aged gracefully, with a freshening in 2020 extending its appeal. However, the interior was a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies, such as a small 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an archaic driver information display. The Passat's cabin, though, displayed modernity with integrated dashboard air vents and metallic detailing.

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-drive models earned 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The Prius 2020 Edition averaged 47.5 mpg on the testing loop, slightly below EPA estimates. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. While not powerful, the electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque provided a lively feel during acceleration. The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with an EV Mode for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph. The TNGA platform contributed to a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel, making the Prius surprisingly capable on curvy roads. However, hard acceleration resulted in powertrain drone, and the steering lacked road feel.

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, with no AWD option available. The Passat's turbo engine provided adequate power for commuting and highway cruising, but it struggled with immediate power for passing. Switching to Sport mode improved responsiveness without sacrificing fuel efficiency, with the Passat achieving 30.7 mpg on a mountainous testing loop, surpassing the EPA's 28 mpg estimate. The Passat's 18.5-gallon fuel tank allowed for over 500 miles between refueling. The car prioritized ride quality, feeling like it floated down the road, though it could feel jittery on city streets. The Passat's handling was predictable, with a flat cornering attitude and accurate steering, making it enjoyable on twisty roads.

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, accommodating up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. 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. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, with 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat excelled in interior space, comfortably seating five adults. The Limited Edition's front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, but the inability to adjust the bottom cushion angle affected comfort. The rear seats were exceptionally comfortable, with ample legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Storage space was good, with many locations lined with rubber to reduce noise. The Passat's trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, though it lacked underfloor trays or side bins.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, shortcut buttons, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Toyota's Safety Connect and WiFi Connect were also standard. The 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 natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. However, the digital instrumentation displays were dated and lacked sophistication.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system included a 6.3-inch screen with App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth for two devices. Car-Net connected services offered three subscription plans, including a WiFi hotspot. The R-Line and Limited Edition trims added HD Radio, navigation, and a Fender premium audio system, known for its clarity and range. The voice recognition system worked well for simple commands but struggled with more complex ones.

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were free for the first three years. The IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, but the NHTSA had not rated the 2021 model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The R-Line trim added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition featured adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and park-assist. The IIHS rated the Passat's headlights and crash tests highly, but the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with a three-star rating for frontal-impact protection.