2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year, following a significant facelift in 2020. This update marked the first major design change for the Passat in nearly a decade. Volkswagen maintained the basic body shell but altered every panel except the roof, resulting in a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan. This gave the Passat a more understated appearance compared to its more radically styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth, jellybean-like shape, reminiscent of 1990s sedans, contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. However, this did not translate into significantly improved fuel efficiency. The interior followed a similar understated approach, with a clean and functional design. VW opted for analog controls over large screens, enhancing usability and visibility. While some buyers might find the interior plain, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's value-oriented market positioning.

The 2021 Honda Civic, on the other hand, continued to build on its legacy of segment-defining models. The 10th-generation Civic, introduced in 2016, was known for its polarizing design, which garnered both love and hate. Despite its age, the Civic remained a familiar sight on the roads, with over a million units sold. The Touring trim, with its Cosmic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch wheels, added a touch of elegance to the Civic's appearance. The interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing. The Civic's cabin was spacious, comparable to a midsize car from a decade ago, offering comfort for both front and rear passengers. However, the infotainment system showed its age, with a maximum screen size of 7 inches. Despite this, the Civic's adventurous design and practicality continued to make it a trendsetter in the compact car segment.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered a single powertrain option, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower was slightly below average compared to competitors, the torque output was impressive, providing enough power to spin the wheels when pulling away from a stop. However, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, requiring the use of Sport mode or manual gear selection for smoother acceleration. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in rivals like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. On the highway, the ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, and a more desirable turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine, standard on the Touring trim, provided ample power and was complemented by a sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension, offering excellent ride and handling qualities. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) was a drawback, with a sloppy gear lever and a tendency to drone. Despite this, the Civic's fuel economy was impressive, averaging 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres on a 225-kilometre loop, surpassing the estimated 7.1 L/100 km. The Civic's driving dynamics, especially with the turbo engine, made it a quick and gratifying compact car to drive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted a roomy back seat with 993 millimetres of rear legroom, although this was slightly less than competitors like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the driving position was uncomfortable for many drivers. The Passat offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than the Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. The Passat excelled in control layout, with large buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2021 Honda Civic, despite its low seating position, provided a comfortable interior with ample space for both front and rear passengers. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. Leather upholstery was standard only in the Touring trim. The Civic's rear seats offered excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, although rear air conditioning vents were absent. The centre console provided remarkable storage space, with trays, cupholders, and a deep centre bin. The Civic sedan's trunk was spacious, offering 428 litres of cargo space, reduced to 416 litres in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Execline models added built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity functions. The touchscreen, though small, included pinch-to-zoom capability, and the dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls minimized the need for screen interaction. The Passat lacked flashy tech features, such as the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster or the newer MIB3 infotainment system, appealing to those seeking simplicity.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age, with a standard 5-inch LCD screen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and HondaLink connected services. The Touring trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and on-board navigation. The Touring's voice recognition system was unsophisticated, requiring specific prompts. The premium sound system was a nice addition, but the eight-speaker setup sufficed for most needs. The Civic's infotainment system, while functional, was not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Execline grade added lane-keep assist and lane departure warning. Notable safety features included the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and the Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system for the right side, but lacked a traditional radar-based system. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings in all NHTSA assessments, making it a safe choice for families.