2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2020 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat bore a striking resemblance to its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the recently redesigned VW Jetta. The exterior design borrowed heavily from the Jetta, giving the Passat a familiar yet refreshed look. Inside, the Passat's dashboard retained the architectural T-square design of the previous model, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while easy to clean, lacked the sophistication of more modern designs. The Passat was designed to be user-friendly, with easy access, simple controls, and a wallet-friendly price point. It was available in four trims: the base Passat S, the mid-range SE, the sporty R-Line, and the top-of-the-line SEL.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class maintained a similar exterior styling to its predecessor but boasted a drag coefficient of 0.22, making it more aerodynamically efficient than a Toyota Prius. The new S-Class was slightly larger in all dimensions, enhancing its road presence. The interior was a showcase of luxury, centered around a prominent infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. Mercedes decluttered the cabin, replacing traditional controls with minimalist rectangular air vents and touch-sensitive buttons. The ambient lighting system was a standout feature, with 250 LED elements and 64 color options, creating a vibrant and customizable atmosphere. High-quality materials like Nappa leather, open-pore wood trim, and aluminum inlays adorned the cabin, although the piano-black trim was prone to smudging and reflections.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The powertrain was simple and efficient, with no need for premium gas. The Passat's torque allowed for decent acceleration, although the transmission's eagerness to upshift sometimes made the engine feel underpowered. The car averaged 26 mpg in combined driving, just shy of the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The steering was light and precise, and the brakes were effective, though the suspension tuning left much to be desired. The ride was stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over undulations, resulting in a busy and inconsistent driving experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six in the S500 4Matic, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S580 4Matic, delivering 496 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and featured EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system that added 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for short bursts. The S500 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds. The S-Class came with standard air suspension and an optional E-Active Body Control system, as well as rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. The S580 was fast and comfortable, with precise steering and minimal body roll in Sport and Sport+ modes, although wind noise was noticeable at highway speeds.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide, comfortable seats and ample room for five passengers. The car featured large door openings, excellent outward visibility, and plenty of storage options, including sizable cupholders and storage bins. Cloth upholstery was standard on the base model, while higher trims offered V-Tex leatherette or genuine leather seats. The trunk provided 15.9 cubic feet of space, easily accommodating full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers. The Passat's size and utility made it a practical choice, with the only drawbacks being the lack of all-wheel drive, big-box cargo capability, and a third-row seat.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered more front and rear headroom and rear legroom than its predecessor, with segment-leading shoulder room contributing to a spacious feel. The trunk space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, although it was still less than some competitors. The front seats were highly adjustable, with 19 motors for customization, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The center console featured a large storage bin and a covered area with a wireless phone charger and cupholders. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console with cupholders and climate controls, and the optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control, making the S-Class ideal for chauffeur service.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked Volkswagen's latest infotainment and Digital Cockpit technologies, but it still offered a functional setup with a 6.3-inch touchscreen display. Standard features included App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim added navigation and a premium Fender sound system. The infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs for easy operation. The Passat also offered optional remote engine start and a parking steering-assist system on the SEL trim.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and six USB ports. The available 30-speaker Burmester audio system and rear-seat infotainment setup with 11.6-inch touchscreens and a 7-inch tablet added to the luxury experience. The updated MBUX infotainment system was more powerful and relied heavily on the touchscreen, with functions like climate control and seat massagers integrated into the screen. The system also included an augmented-reality head-up display, which projected navigation directions onto the windshield. The S-Class allowed drivers to set up personal profiles with biometric or facial recognition, and rear-seat occupants could send navigation directions to the main screen.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. An automatic post-collision braking system was also standard, helping to reduce the risk of secondary collisions. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat earned the top rating of Good in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with advanced safety features, including an industry-first rear-passenger airbag. Standard driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in these features, such as enhanced traffic-sign recognition and lane-keep assist. The S-Class also featured a new steering wheel with capacitive sensors, eliminating the need for steering inputs to detect if the driver was holding the wheel. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering systems performed exceptionally well, handling highway curves and reacting smoothly to traffic changes.