2022 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is 6.5 out of 10, while the 2022 Toyota Camry scores 7.2 out of 10. Given these ratings, the 2022 Toyota Camry is the recommended choice. Its higher rating reflects its superior safety features, powerful V6 engine, and advanced infotainment systems, making it a better-rounded and more appealing option for consumers.
Choose the 2022 Toyota Camry if:
- You prefer a more powerful engine and sporty driving dynamics.
- Advanced safety features and exceptional safety ratings are imperative for your peace of mind.
- You desire modern infotainment systems, connectivity options, and in-cabin storage.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Passat if:
- You prioritize a clean, functional interior layout with easy-to-use analog controls.
- A larger trunk space for cargo is essential for your needs.
- Value for money is a top priority, given its competitive pricing and market positioning.
Overview | |
MSRP$23,995 | MSRP$25,845 |
Average price$18,793 | Average price$25,030 |
Listings427 | Listings3107 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.2 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
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 Toyota Camry Reviews SummaryIn 2021, Toyota sold more than 310,000 Camrys, making it the third best-selling vehicle of the year that was not a pickup truck. Considering all of the headlines about how people don’t buy cars anymore, you might find this fact surprising. And while many of those Camry sales were to fleet operators like rental car agencies, there are plenty of consumers who still want a roomy, reliable, efficient, safe, and affordable car. The 2022 Toyota Camry is what they often choose. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower |
MPG City24 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway39 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | Torque |
Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City24 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway39 |
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 Space15.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight3314 lbs | Curb Weight3310 lbs |
Height58.7 in | Height56.9 in |
Length193.6 in | Length192.1 in |
Width72.6 in | Width72.4 in |
Wheelbase110.4 in | Wheelbase111.2 in |
Maximum Payload948 lbs | Maximum Payload925 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is 6.5 out of 10, while the 2022 Toyota Camry scores 7.2 out of 10. Given these ratings, the 2022 Toyota Camry is the recommended choice. Its higher rating reflects its superior safety features, powerful V6 engine, and advanced infotainment systems, making it a better-rounded and more appealing option for consumers.
Choose the 2022 Toyota Camry if:
Shop Now- You prefer a more powerful engine and sporty driving dynamics.
- Advanced safety features and exceptional safety ratings are imperative for your peace of mind.
- You desire modern infotainment systems, connectivity options, and in-cabin storage.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Passat if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a clean, functional interior layout with easy-to-use analog controls.
- A larger trunk space for cargo is essential for your needs.
- Value for money is a top priority, given its competitive pricing and market positioning.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $23,995 | $25,845 |
Average price | $18,793 | $25,030 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Expert reviews | 6.5 out of 10Read full review | 7.2 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. | In 2021, Toyota sold more than 310,000 Camrys, making it the third best-selling vehicle of the year that was not a pickup truck. Considering all of the headlines about how people don’t buy cars anymore, you might find this fact surprising. And while many of those Camry sales were to fleet operators like rental car agencies, there are plenty of consumers who still want a roomy, reliable, efficient, safe, and affordable car. The 2022 Toyota Camry is what they often choose. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 2.5L 203 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm | |
MPG City | 24 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 39 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 174 hp I4 | 2.5L 203 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 | 39 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.9 cu ft | 15.1 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3314 lbs | 3310 lbs |
Height | 58.7 in | 56.9 in |
Length | 193.6 in | 192.1 in |
Width | 72.6 in | 72.4 in |
Wheelbase | 110.4 in | 111.2 in |
Maximum Payload | 948 lbs | 925 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
The exterior styling of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat had remained consistent with its previous model year. This was because the Passat had received a significant facelift in 2020, which had been its first major design overhaul in nearly a decade. Volkswagen had retained the basic body shell but updated nearly every panel except the roof. The facelift gave the Passat a familial resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta, presenting a more understated look compared to more radically-styled rivals such as the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry.
With rounded-off corners, the Passat's design echoed the aerodynamic efficiency of the 1990s jellybean sedans, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, along with 17-inch alloy wheels. The SE models had 18-inch wheels, whereas the sportier R-Line models came with 19-inch wheels and an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) for adjustable headlight range. The R-Line also featured sportier exterior styling including specific front and rear bumpers and a rear spoiler. However, unlike the Jetta, the Passat was not offered in particularly vibrant colors.
Internally, the Passat maintained an understated, functional design. VW opted for smaller analog controls over large digital screens, which were conveniently placed. The dashboard layout enhanced forward visibility, and a low beltline provided excellent side visibility, avoiding the bunker-like feel of many modern cars. The flat-bottomed steering wheel was a peculiar design choice, contrasted by mostly plastic materials and an array of cloth and leatherette upholstery options depending on the trim. While not luxurious, the interior materials were fitting for its pricing, and the fit and finish were top-notch.
Conversely, the 2022 Toyota Camry had a more eye-catching design, especially noted for its Cavalry Blue paint exclusive to the performance-tuned TRD model. This vibrant color was part of a few updates for the 2022 model year, alongside standard heated side mirrors and dual-zone automatic climate control for most trims. Toyota introduced another new paint option called Ice Edge and added a Nightshade Edition package for the SE Hybrid trim, which blacked out the car's exterior trim and wheels.
The Camry's broad lineup of 13 different versions made it easy for buyers to find a suitable model, ranging from a base price of around $26,000 to nearly $37,000 for the upscale Camry XSE. The TRD model featured a distinctly sporty design with a body kit, front splitter, side skirts, rear spoiler, aggressive rear diffuser, matte-black 19-inch wheels, red brake calipers, red accent stripes and badges, and polished stainless steel exhaust outlets. It also featured a gloss black grille with a mesh insert.
Inside, the Camry TRD continued its sporty theme with an unusual dashboard layout and a driver-oriented center console. However, the red gauge illumination and other red interior accents were considered tacky by some. The overall interior design could be polarizing, but it certainly wasn't boring.
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 driving the front wheels. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower was slightly below the average for rivals’ base engines, the torque was commendable, offering enough power to spin the wheels from a stop if necessary.
Performance-wise, the Passat had a mixed experience. Power delivery was uneven, with slower response during highway overtakes unless switched to Sport mode or manually selecting gears. A proper manual transmission could have been beneficial, but it was unavailable. Overall, the driving experience was unremarkable, neither overly sporty nor overly comfortable. Ride quality and cabin noise were decent but did not stand out.
In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This model boasted a Sport transmission mode and paddle shifters, along with a Sport driving mode that adjusted throttle response and steering effort. According to EPA ratings, the Camry TRD achieved 25 mpg in combined driving, and real-world tests found it reaching 24.8 mpg even under dynamic driving conditions.
The TRD variant was not just powerful; it was also designed with track-tuned driving dynamics. The Camry TRD included thicker underbody braces for increased torsional rigidity, a reworked suspension with stiffer sway bars, tauter springs, and TRD shocks. Performance brakes, a sport dual exhaust system, and 19-inch matte-black alloy wheels wrapped in summer performance tires added to its driving prowess. Despite FWD leading to occasional wheel spin, the car felt solid, secure, and planted on the road. The ride was communicative yet comfortable for daily driving, and the brake system performed excellently without fade even during rigorous driving.
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered generous rear-seat legroom with 39.1 inches, although it was still slightly less than competitors like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. This spaciousness came at the expense of front legroom, where it fell below average, and front headroom also lagged behind many midsize sedans. The driving position was notably uncomfortable due to limited front legroom, leading to cramped conditions for even medium-sized drivers. The front seats had inadequate thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard.
The Passat excelled in cargo space with a 15.9 cubic-foot trunk, larger than the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, and Nissan Altima but smaller than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with poorly shaped door bottle holders and a cubby too small for the largest smartphones. However, the control layout was impressive with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, and analog gauges that were clear and aesthetically consistent with the interior.
The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD, meanwhile, featured front seats with red accents and embroidered TRD logos but did not offer additional bolstering over the standard Camry SE seats. The low-slung, sporty driving position, combined with fabric seat inserts and minimal body roll, provided good comfort and stability. The Camry was not the roomiest in its class, but its rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults. However, the TRD's fixed rear seatback, a compromise for enhanced structural rigidity, limited cargo flexibility.
The Camry TRD's trunk measured 15.1 cubic feet, smaller than the Passat. Toyota compensated for this with generous in-cabin storage, including a large center console bin and good stash space throughout.
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line models added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. A single USB-A port in the center stack was standard, with two rear charge-only USB-A ports added in SE models. Although the touchscreen was relatively small, it included pinch-to-zoom capability, and the layout allowed easy access to basic functions through dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls.
The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It also offered Safety Connect and WiFi Connect subscription services, with complimentary trial periods. An optional 9-inch touchscreen display, which included Remote Connect and Service Connect subscription plans along with a 9-speaker JBL premium audio system, provided additional functionality.
While Toyota did not offer dynamic connected navigation and voice recognition in the Camry TRD, the integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allowed users to utilize Siri or Google Assistant via the steering wheel's "talk" button.
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat earned top "good" scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all crash tests, although its standard headlights only received a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published its ratings for the Passat at the time. VW included standard adaptive cruise control and other driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also had VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.
Every 2022 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, a suite of driver assist and collision avoidance features. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance provided semi-autonomous driving assistance for highway driving. Standard on the Camry TRD and optional on other trims were blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. However, the lane-departure warning system could issue false warnings, and the lane-centering assistance sometimes behaved overly assertively. The adaptive cruise control occasionally slowed the vehicle unnecessarily in curves.
The Camry also came with Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, an emergency assistance button, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Camry received the highest safety ratings, including a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and five-star ratings in each NHTSA evaluation.
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.