2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

To commemorate the end of the Passat, Volkswagen introduced a Limited Edition for the 2022 model year. Positioned above the base SE and sporty R-Line trims, it had an MSRP of $31,570, including destination. Only 1,973 units were produced, a nod to the year the Passat first launched in Europe. The Limited Edition featured exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and special badges. It was the only 2022 Passat available in Racing Green, with other color options being white, gray, and red. The interior boasted Mauro Brown leather upholstery, contrasting with the dark dashboard and fake wood trim. Special seat tags and rubber cupholder inserts added unique touches.

Despite its upscale appearance, the Passat's interior was a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies. The 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and small driver information display felt archaic. However, the cabin had modern elements like integrated dashboard air vents and metallic detailing, adding a European sobriety to the interior. The Passat's design, though over a decade old, aged well, especially after a 2020 refresh. The car's interior was comfortable but lacked a decent driver's seat, which detracted from its overall appeal.

Honda’s press department added a nostalgic touch to the 2023 Accord Hybrid's launch, with a test drive in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley and a stop in Accord, N.Y. The 2023 Accord, especially in the range-topping Touring trim, resembled a luxury sedan, drawing positive reactions from onlookers. The car's sleek lines, reminiscent of Audi’s A7, and its redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting, gave it a refined, near-luxury look. The new model was longer and had a more upright front grille, blacked-out LED headlights, and taillights spanning the rear width, enhancing its planted stance.

Starting at approximately $38,435, the Accord Touring offered seven exterior colors and 19-inch alloy wheels with black accents. The interior featured a new dashboard design and a standard digital instrument display. The Hybrid Touring trim included a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test car had Canyon River Blue Metallic paint and a black leather interior, with cloth seats standard in the Hybrid Sport trim. The Accord's interior updates and advanced features contributed to its upscale feel.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, it powered the front wheels. The Passat's driving dynamics were a mix of sedate behavior and traditional German handling traits. The turbocharged engine's torque curve made it adequately powerful for commuting and highway cruising, though it lacked immediate power for passing. The transmission's Sport mode improved responsiveness without significantly affecting fuel efficiency, with observed fuel economy at 30.7 mpg.

The Passat's ride quality prioritized comfort, though it felt jittery on city streets and conveyed impacts through its elderly vehicle architecture. The brake pedal response was inconsistent, causing occasional aggravation. On the highway, the Passat was quiet, with a low 0.28 coefficient of drag and silent Giti tires. Despite its sedate daily driving behavior, the Passat exhibited flat cornering and accurate steering on twisty roads, making it enjoyable to drive in such environments.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Accord Hybrid's powertrain switched seamlessly between electric and gas power, providing smooth and efficient performance. It had enough power for highway merges and passing maneuvers, with a suspension that absorbed road imperfections well. The regenerative braking system had six levels of regen, making it easier to fine-tune and get comfortable with.

The Accord's agile handling made it relaxing to drive in various environments, and its increased length did not hinder parking in tight spots. The car's familiar and relaxing driving experience was a highlight, making it a comfortable choice for daily driving.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's cabin was spacious, with ample room for five adults and a dual-zone climate control system. However, the driver's seat lacked height adjustment, making it uncomfortable for some. The Limited Edition's front seats had eight-way power adjustment but did not allow separate bottom cushion angle adjustment. The rear seats were more comfortable, with generous legroom, air conditioning vents, and USB ports. Storage space was good, though some areas were lined with hard plastic, causing items to slide and make noise.

The Passat's trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, which was not class-leading but adequate. The trunk had no underfloor trays or side bins, requiring groceries to be secured. The remote keyless entry fob allowed the trunk to be popped open, though it was not power-operated.

The 2023 Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted the layout from Honda’s Civic and CR-V models, featuring a strip of honeycomb mesh trim hiding the dash-mounted air vents. The infotainment screen was prominently placed atop the dashboard, with buttons and dials for cabin temperature control within easy reach. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated seats, adding to the upscale feel. The Accord Hybrid now had a traditional gearshift, replacing the previous button system, and a dedicated volume control knob.

Honda adjusted the front seat frame design for better support, providing comfort during long drives. The rear seats offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was limited by the sleek roofline. Trunk space was 16.7 cubic feet, with a low load floor making it easy to access and stow bulky cargo.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system featured a 6.3-inch screen with standard App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth. The R-Line and Limited Edition trims added HD Radio, a navigation system, and a Fender premium audio system. The infotainment system was not as sophisticated as other VW models, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent. However, the Fender audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Accord Hybrid's infotainment system included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless device charging pad, “Hey Google” virtual assistant, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. The Touring trim featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports. The intuitive menus and physical volume knob and climate control buttons made the system user-friendly.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's safety features lagged behind more modern VW models. The base SE trim included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The R-Line trim added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition had adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and a park-assist system. The lane-keeping assistance system was inaccurate, and the reverse automatic braking system was overly sensitive. The Passat received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Accord Hybrid came with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a rear-seat reminder. The Touring trim added a multi-angle rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a head-up display. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. The Accord Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with “Good” ratings in all crash tests.