Acura Integra vs Volkswagen Passat

Driving is fun. Not the kind you do Monday through Friday, slogging along on clogged freeways to a drab cubicle in a dull office that drains your zest for living. We're talking freedom, adventure, and the sheer joy of rowing gears as you tackle the twists, turns, whoops, and dips on the road of life. Having spent quality time in the new 2024 Acura Integra Type S, we can attest that it is perfect for this purpose in nearly every respect. And it's even a decent daily driver.

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First came the Dasher in 1974, then the Quantum in 1982, then the Passat in 1990. None became household names like the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, partly because the Passat and its progenitors appealed to a small contingent of Americans seeking European design, engineering, and driving dynamics in a car often characterized as a bargain-priced Audi. But in the midsize sedan segment, a reputation for reliability and efficiency, not design or handling, is king.

Tired of compromise, Volkswagen "Americanized" the Passat for the 2011 model year, moving production to a new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The car's blandly attractive design, huge interior, big trunk, and soft ride seemed to be just what U.S. customers wanted, along with a ”Made in the USA” label. But those potential buyers had moved on to SUVs, and the new Passat alienated some of the VW faithful. The Dieselgate scandal didn't help the Passat, either.

VW nailed the car's coffin shut when the family car segment began to wither rapidly. So now, the Passat departs the U.S. market, effectively replaced by the Tiguan and Atlas SUVs and leaving the Jetta to serve people who still want a sedan wearing a VW logo on its grille.