2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year's facelift, which was the first major update in nearly a decade. This facelift gave the Passat a more understated look, similar to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta sedan, contrasting with the more radical designs of competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's aerodynamic shape, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, aimed to improve fuel efficiency, although the impact was minimal. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim level. The R-Line trim added sportier styling elements but lacked vibrant color options.

Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with well-placed analog controls enhancing usability. The dashboard's low profile improved forward visibility, while a low beltline provided good side visibility. However, the interior might have seemed plain to some, with limited brightwork and basic materials like plastic and cloth upholstery. Despite this, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3, with base prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000. Each version had a different powertrain, with the 330i and 330e featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the latter paired with plug-in hybrid technology. The M340i offered a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, while the high-performance M3 topped the range. The M340i test vehicle featured Barbera Red special-order paint, Cognac-color SensaTec upholstery, and several optional packages, bringing the total price to $67,390.

The M340i's exterior design included exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and blue brake calipers. The optional Cooling and High-Performance Tire package added 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires. Inside, the SensaTec upholstery mimicked leather, and the Cognac color provided a trendy contrast to the dark cabin. The 3 Series' interior featured quality materials and a technical design, focusing on driving enjoyment rather than luxury.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat 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 output was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The power delivery felt uneven at times, particularly during highway overtakes, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved the response. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were good but not exceptional.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the M340i offered a Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control. The rear-wheel-drive setup included an M Sport differential, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The M340i's performance was impressive, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The car's driving dynamics were exceptional, with precise steering, strong brakes, and a taut suspension. The optional Adaptive M Suspension further enhanced the car's handling, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some competitors but less than the Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with door bottle holders poorly shaped for large bottles. The layout of controls was a strong point, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. The rear seats provided adequate legroom for four tall passengers, though the center seat was less practical. The back seat offered good thigh support, but the rigid plastic panels on the front seatbacks could be uncomfortable. The M340i came with a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available through the Premium package. Interior storage was decent, and the 17 cubic-foot trunk offered ample cargo space. The back seat's 40/20/40-split folding design added versatility, though a sports wagon variant would have been even more practical.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, 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 Passat had a single USB-A port for connectivity, with two additional rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small by modern standards but included pinch-to-zoom capability. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 infotainment system, making it a simpler choice for those not seeking high-tech options.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series came standard with Live Cockpit Professional, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and navigation. The iDrive 7.0 system was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a center console knob, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The 3 Series included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. The Connected Package Pro added BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant, which responded accurately to various commands. The optional Premium package included a head-up display, though it could be challenging to read with polarized sunglasses. The Driving Assistance Professional package added advanced features like a surround-view camera system and autonomous parking capability.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. 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.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, which featured forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driving Assistance Professional package further included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for semi-autonomous driving. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, including for rollover resistance.