2020 Honda Accord vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was considered one of the most stylish Accords in history, with an upscale appearance that belied its status as a mainstream family sedan. The Accord's visual appeal was particularly enhanced when equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels available on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trims. Other trims featured 17-inch wheels, which, while more cost-effective for replacements, did not offer the same visual impact. The Accord was available in several trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $28,705 to $40,405, excluding a $1,700 destination charge. Inside, the Accord boasted high-quality materials, with soft touchpoints, good-feeling leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood, making it a comfortable and luxurious environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat maintained a more understated look, following a significant facelift in 2020. Its design bore a strong resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan, offering a more conservative appearance compared to its more radically styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5. The Passat's aerodynamic shape, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, contributed to its fuel efficiency, though not dramatically. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Execline models offered 19-inch wheels and an Adaptive Front-lighting System. The interior followed a clean, functional design with analog controls, enhancing usability and visibility. However, some found the interior plain, with limited brightwork and materials primarily consisting of plastic and leatherette. Despite this, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a standard turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking efficiency, the Accord's 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was impressive, averaging 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Enthusiasts could opt for the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord 2.0T was quick, with driving modes and paddle shifters enhancing the driving experience. It achieved 8.6 L/100 km during testing, better than the estimated 9.1 L/100 km. The Accord Touring featured adaptive dampers, providing excellent handling and ride comfort, though the brakes could use improvement.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat simplified its powertrain options, offering a single 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. While the torque was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. Power delivery felt uneven, with slower response during highway overtakes, though Sport mode improved performance. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size car, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than the Toyota Camry. The standard 12-way power driver's seat was comfortable, with ample thigh support and heating, while the rear seat provided exceptional comfort and easy access. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases. The interior featured ample storage, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, making it a pleasant environment, except for the front passenger seat's lack of height adjustment.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 993 millimetres of rear legroom, though slightly less than the Accord. Front legroom and headroom were below average, resulting in an uncomfortable driving position for some. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than some competitors but less than the Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders. The layout of controls was a highlight, with large buttons and knobs for easy use, complemented by an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and sensible steering wheel controls. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text-messaging support. A ten-speaker premium audio system was standard on Sport trim, with additional features like HondaLink, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging on Touring trim. The system lacked natural voice recognition but offered a head-up display on Touring trim.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. Execline models added navigation and an eight-speaker Fender audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom, with dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls for basic functions. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit and MIB3 system, appealing to those seeking simplicity.

The 2020 Honda Accord was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It included Honda Sensing as standard, with features like forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was reserved for Touring trim. Some systems needed refinement, with occasional false alerts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores from the IIHS, though its headlights were rated "marginal." NHTSA ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Lane-keep assist and lane departure warning were on Execline trim. VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System were notable safety features.