2022 Honda Civic 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. The Passat's design closely resembled the smaller Volkswagen Jetta, giving it a more understated look compared to its more radically-styled 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, though the impact was minimal. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim. The R-Line trim added sportier exterior elements but lacked vibrant color options.

Inside, the Passat's interior was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls for ease of use. The dashboard's low profile enhanced forward visibility, while the low beltline improved side visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in this non-sporty car. The interior materials were mostly plastic, with cloth upholstery on the base model and V-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Despite the plain design, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's value-oriented market positioning.

The 2022 Honda Civic was offered in familiar LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $21,700 to $28,300, excluding destination charges. A new five-door hatchback was also introduced, but the two-door coupe was discontinued. The Civic Touring model, priced at $29,690 with extra-cost paint, was the primary evaluation vehicle. The Civic Sport, with additional appearance packages, was estimated at just under $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic had a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor, resembling the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation Civic aimed for a more mature look, which might appeal to those who disliked the previous model's styling. Inside, Honda returned to a simpler design with minimalistic controls and a metal honeycomb mesh running across the dashboard to hide the air vents. The interior materials were improved, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a newfound maturity.

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 was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, 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. The ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the EX and Touring trims. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) with new Step Shift programming to mimic traditional automatics. The turbocharged engine provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency, making the Civic enjoyable to drive. The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for quicker responsiveness. The Civic's improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and enhanced steering feel contributed to its fun and predictable driving experience. However, the Civic Touring's fuel economy fell short of the EPA estimate during testing.

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 the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, and Nissan Altima, but less than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, and the door bottle holders were poorly shaped. The layout of controls was a strong point, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach and easy-to-read analog gauges.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured redesigned front seats with better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The power driver's seat allowed for a perfect driving position, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic sat low to the ground, making entry and exit challenging for some, but the rear seat offered more legroom than most competitors. The backrest angle might feel too reclined for some passengers. The Civic's new center console had less storage space but more accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim. Trunk volume was generous at 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubes with the Touring trim, which lost some space due to the premium sound system components. The split-folding backseat added utility, and a small handle inside the trunk lid aided in closing it.

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 the SE and R-Line trims. A single USB-A port handled connectivity, with two rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and basic functions could be controlled via dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and the newer MIB3 infotainment system.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display in the Touring trim offering greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display showed when the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals were on, addressing a common issue with automatic headlights. The standard infotainment setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Sport and EX trims had eight speakers, while the Touring trim offered a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The Touring trim also included a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and navigation. The system performed well, with excellent voice recognition technology.

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 Honda Civic came with an upgraded Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and eight ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic replaced the old LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert in the EX and Touring trims. The Civic's new vehicle architecture provided better protection in collisions, and new front airbag designs offered improved head protection. The Civic also featured rear side-impact airbags and a standard rear-seat reminder system.