2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Overview | |
MSRP$54,250 | MSRP$23,995 |
Average price$76,426 | Average price$24,264 |
Listings30 | Listings96 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.3 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Reviews SummaryWhen money is but a mild concern, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz is a reasonable purchase. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the company's most practical and versatile car, as high-quality and necessary in a nice garage as a Kitchen-Aid mixer is in a baker's kitchen. It offers four body styles, four engines, and dozens of colour schemes. Fast or efficient? Loud or library quiet? Modest or rich as hell? The E-Class, the brand's midsize car, is all of those things, depending on which of the 13 models you order and how deep into the options list you dive. For 2021, the E-Class receives a mid-cycle update for the infotainment system, engines, and exterior styling. We tested the Mercedes-AMG E53 that features a mild-hybrid inline-6 powertrain. | |
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 | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City22 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway31 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.0L 255 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque273 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm | Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower255 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City22 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway31 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Key Features | |
Navigation SystemStandard | Navigation System |
Sunroof/MoonroofStandard | Sunroof/Moonroof |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space13.1 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3781 lbs | Curb Weight3314 lbs |
Height57.8 in | Height58.7 in |
Length194.3 in | Length193.6 in |
Width81.3 in | Width72.6 in |
Wheelbase115.7 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | Maximum Payload948 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $54,250 | $23,995 |
Average price | $76,426 | $24,264 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.3 out of 10Read full review | 6.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | When money is but a mild concern, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz is a reasonable purchase. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the company's most practical and versatile car, as high-quality and necessary in a nice garage as a Kitchen-Aid mixer is in a baker's kitchen. It offers four body styles, four engines, and dozens of colour schemes. Fast or efficient? Loud or library quiet? Modest or rich as hell? The E-Class, the brand's midsize car, is all of those things, depending on which of the 13 models you order and how deep into the options list you dive. For 2021, the E-Class receives a mid-cycle update for the infotainment system, engines, and exterior styling. We tested the Mercedes-AMG E53 that features a mild-hybrid inline-6 powertrain. | 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 | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive Train | RWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5800 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 22 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 31 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.0L 255 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower | 255 hp @ 5800 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 22 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 31 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Key Features | ||
Navigation System | Standard | |
Sunroof/Moonroof | Standard | |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 13.1 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3781 lbs | 3314 lbs |
Height | 57.8 in | 58.7 in |
Length | 194.3 in | 193.6 in |
Width | 81.3 in | 72.6 in |
Wheelbase | 115.7 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 948 lbs | |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
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