2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained much of its exterior styling from the previous year, benefiting from a comprehensive facelift introduced in 2020. VW kept the same basic body shell but changed every panel except the roof, giving the Passat a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta sedan. This facelift bestowed the Passat with a more understated look compared to the radically-styled Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. Its rounded-off corners gave it an aerodynamic shape reminiscent of the jellybean sedans of the 1990s, which aided in achieving a drag coefficient of 0.28.

The Passat featured LED headlights and taillights standard across all models, with 17-inch alloy wheels. SE models were outfitted with 18-inch wheels, while R-Line models sported 19-inch wheels combined with an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) for adjustable headlight range. R-Line trims also added sportier external elements such as model-specific bumpers and a rear spoiler. However, VW did not offer a particularly vibrant color palette to complement these sportier touches.

Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, emphasizing analog controls and a layout conducive to ease of use. Forward visibility was enhanced by a short, low dashboard and a relatively low beltline. Nevertheless, the interior might have seemed a bit plain to some, with limited brightwork and materials predominantly composed of plastic. Cloth upholstery was standard on S models, with SE and R-Line trims offering V-Tex leatherette. Despite the modest materials, the fit and finish were commendable, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option.

Conversely, the 2021 Honda Civic continued its tradition of incremental yet significant evolution. Renowned for its innovative design changes approximately every decade, the Civic's 10th-generation model introduced in 2016 was still a visual statement. Available as a four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and performance-oriented Type R, its style remained polarizing. The Civic sedan test car in Cosmic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch wheels presented a striking appearance, albeit somewhat dependent on the angle and lighting.

The Civic's interior, while a bit less novel than when first introduced, still boasted quality materials and a thoughtful design. The maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches and some aspects of the cabin did indicate its aging platform. Nonetheless, the interior maintained an adventurous spirit, consistent with the Civic's trend-setting nature.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured a singular powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The power output, while decent in torque, fell short compared to some rivals in terms of horsepower, as many competitors offered multiple powertrain options. Despite the adequate torque, the engine's power delivery felt uneven, especially during highway overtakes, although switching to Sport mode improved responsiveness.

The Passat's handling and driving experience were generally unremarkable. It lacked the sportiness present in models like the Honda Accord or Mazda 6 and did not exceed expectations in comfort either. The ride quality and cabin noise levels were satisfactory on the highway but not exceptional.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered more variety with its powertrain options. The base LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, providing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While this setup was sufficient, the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine available in the EX, EX-L, and Touring trims with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque was the more desirable choice, offering superior performance.

Although the Civic's CVT was somewhat ambiguous in driving satisfaction, its fuel economy was commendable. The Civic, particularly in its Touring trim, showcased an engaging driving experience with composed handling and agile steering. However, the CVT's limitations in gear shifting and droning could be a downside for some drivers seeking more involvement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat emphasized rear-seat comfort with 39.1 inches of rear legroom, although this was slightly less than what Honda Accord or Subaru Legacy offered. Front legroom and headroom were below average, with the driving position feeling less ergonomic. The lack of thigh support in the front seats and the flat rear seats did not enhance comfort.

In terms of cargo space, the Passat provided 15.9 cubic feet of trunk capacity, surpassing models like the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, and Nissan Altima but falling short of the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. The in-cabin storage was limited, with door bottle holders lacking proper shaping for larger bottles, although the control layout was user-friendly with large buttons and knobs.

The 2021 Honda Civic's design was lower to the ground, affecting ease of entry and exit. Once inside, however, the Civic offered a comfortable experience, although it lacked rear air conditioning vents, which could impact comfort on hot days. The front seats, particularly the driver's seat, provided good adjustability and ease of finding a suitable driving position, although the passenger seat lacked height adjustment.

The Civic's interior room was comparable to a midsize car from a decade ago, with adequate space for adults in the rear seats. It excelled in practical storage solutions, especially with its highly versatile center console. The Civic sedan's trunk volume was 15.1 cubic feet, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet for the Touring trim due to the premium sound system. Both figures were commendable for the compact sedan category.

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 trims introduced HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard for SE and R-Line trims, and a single USB-A port in the center stack handled connectivity, with SE models adding two rear charge-only USB-A ports.

Although the touchscreen was small by modern standards, it supported pinch-to-zoom and basic functionalities were easily managed through dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls. Tech-savvy buyers might have found the lack of advanced features, like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster or newer MIB3 system, a drawback. The Passat favored simplicity over technological flashiness.

The 2021 Honda Civic, especially in its base LX trim, suffered from dated technology. The bare minimum included a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Civic Sport upgraded the infotainment with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful 1.5-amp USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation with voice recognition and a 10-speaker premium audio system.

Most users would likely prefer to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for their superior interface and functionality. Although the technology package was not cutting-edge, it provided sufficient features for most everyday needs.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, although the standard headlights only earned a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test results for this model. Standard across all trim levels, adaptive cruise control was included, along with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Notable safety features included the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the Intelligent Crash Response System, enhancing post-collision safety.

Every 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, which encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional standard features included automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera.

The Civic offered LaneWatch for monitoring the right lane, starting with the EX trim. However, the lack of a radar-based blind-spot warning system was a limitation, as was the absence of a rear cross-traffic warning system. Despite some issues with the refinement of Honda Sensing, the 2021 Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings in every NHTSA assessment.