2021 Toyota Prius 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 it a familiar yet refreshed look. Inside, the Passat retained its previous dashboard architecture, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while easy to clean, lacked a premium feel. The car was designed to be user-friendly, with easy access, straightforward controls, and a comfortable driving experience. Volkswagen offered the Passat in four trims, with the base model starting at $22,995 and the top-tier SEL trim priced at $31,095. The sporty R-Line trim, tested with additional features, came to $30,206.

The 2021 Toyota Prius continued its iconic boomerang-shaped design, a hallmark since the second-generation model in 2004. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius maintained its unique styling, which was not universally praised. The interior was equally unconventional, with a central strip of displays and a dashboard-integrated transmission toggle. The infotainment pod was positioned towards the front seat occupants, and the glossy black trim attracted dust and fingerprints. Toyota offered the Prius in multiple trims, with prices ranging from $24,525 to $32,650. The test vehicle, a 2020 Edition with additional features, was priced at $31,295.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It used regular gasoline and was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. The powertrain was simple, with a Sport transmission setting and paddle shifters for a more engaging drive. The Passat's torque allowed for decent acceleration, though the transmission's eagerness to upshift sometimes made the engine feel underpowered. The car averaged 26 mpg, close to the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The steering was light yet precise, and the brakes were effective but could be grabby. The suspension, however, was a mixed bag, being too stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over undulations, resulting in a busy ride.

The 2021 Toyota Prius prioritized fuel efficiency, with the L Eco trim achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving. Other front-drive models were rated at 52 mpg, while AWD-e versions managed 49 mpg. The test vehicle averaged 47.5 mpg. The Prius combined a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 121 horsepower. The electric motor provided instant torque, making the Prius feel lively at low speeds. The car featured multiple driving modes, including EV Mode for electric-only driving at low speeds. The TNGA platform gave the Prius a lower center of gravity and improved handling, though hard acceleration resulted in a droning noise. The steering was weighty but lacked road feel, and the regenerative braking system offered good pedal modulation.

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

The 2021 Toyota Prius, though perceived as small, offered a surprisingly spacious interior for up to five passengers. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather could be sticky. The test vehicle included an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided adequate space for adults but lacked air-conditioning vents. Cargo space varied by trim, ranging from 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked the latest infotainment and digital cockpit technologies, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen display. However, it 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 Fender premium sound system. The infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs. The test car also had remote engine start, and the SEL trim offered a parking steering-assist system.

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, and shortcut buttons. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Limited trim offered a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The digital instrumentation was housed in a strip at the top of the dashboard, but the displays were dated and lacked sophistication.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came standard with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. It also featured an automatic post-collision braking system. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat received a top rating of Good from the IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, standard on all trims. This included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were also standard, offering automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The IIHS gave the Prius favorable marks, though it did not achieve a Top Safety Pick rating.