2020 Chevrolet Malibu vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Overview | |
MSRP$22,095 | MSRP$23,995 |
Average price$20,660 | Average price$24,283 |
Listings39 | Listings98 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
2020 Chevrolet Malibu Reviews Summary | |
2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryIn 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. 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. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine1.5L 160 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower160 hp @ 5700 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City29 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name1.5L 160 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm | Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower160 hp @ 5700 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City29 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway36 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall4 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space15.8 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3126 lbs | Curb Weight3314 lbs |
Height57.9 in | Height58.7 in |
Length194.2 in | Length193.6 in |
Width73.0 in | Width72.6 in |
Wheelbase111.4 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload948 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $22,095 | $23,995 |
Average price | $20,660 | $24,283 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 6.5 out of 10Read full review | |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | In 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. 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. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies. | |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 1.5L 160 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 160 hp @ 5700 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 29 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 1.5L 160 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower | 160 hp @ 5700 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 29 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 36 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 4 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 15.8 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3126 lbs | 3314 lbs |
Height | 57.9 in | 58.7 in |
Length | 194.2 in | 193.6 in |
Width | 73.0 in | 72.6 in |
Wheelbase | 111.4 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 948 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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.