2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2022 Mazda MAZDA3
Overview | |
MSRP$23,995 | MSRP$20,800 |
Average price$19,495 | Average price$23,359 |
Listings448 | Listings286 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryDespite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model. | |
2022 Mazda MAZDA3 Reviews SummaryWith the departure of the grossly underappreciated Mazda6 midsize sedan, Mazda has just two cars left in its lineup: the iconic MX-5 Miata and the compact 2022 Mazda Mazda3. Good thing for Mazda they’re both highly desirable. This year, a Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition debuts with Polymetal Gray paint, black 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system with aluminum speaker grilles. The Mazda3 Turbo models have a standard wiper de-icer system, and a new Platinum Quartz Metallic paint color is available. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 155 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower |
MPG City24 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 155 hp I4 |
Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.9 cu ft | Cargo Space13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight3314 lbs | Curb Weight2984 lbs |
Height58.7 in | Height56.9 in |
Length193.6 in | Length183.5 in |
Width72.6 in | Width70.7 in |
Wheelbase110.4 in | Wheelbase107.3 in |
Maximum Payload948 lbs | Maximum Payload |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $23,995 | $20,800 |
Average price | $19,495 | $23,359 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.5 | 5.0 |
Expert reviews | 6.5 out of 10Read full review | 7.7 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | Despite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model. | With the departure of the grossly underappreciated Mazda6 midsize sedan, Mazda has just two cars left in its lineup: the iconic MX-5 Miata and the compact 2022 Mazda Mazda3. Good thing for Mazda they’re both highly desirable. This year, a Mazda3 2.5 S Carbon Edition debuts with Polymetal Gray paint, black 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system with aluminum speaker grilles. The Mazda3 Turbo models have a standard wiper de-icer system, and a new Platinum Quartz Metallic paint color is available. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 2.0L 155 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm | |
MPG City | 24 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 2.0L 155 hp I4 |
Torque | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | |
Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 24 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.9 cu ft | 13.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3314 lbs | 2984 lbs |
Height | 58.7 in | 56.9 in |
Length | 193.6 in | 183.5 in |
Width | 72.6 in | 70.7 in |
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 107.3 in |
Maximum Payload | 948 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.