2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $26,370 to $36,240. The hybrid powertrain added a $1,600 premium, except for the Touring trim, where it represented a $460 savings. The Accord Hybrid was never available in Sport trim. The Accord was praised for its excellent proportions, stance, style, and detailing, making it one of Honda's best-looking cars. Minor front styling changes included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim received new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new Sonic Gray Pearl paint color. The test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, featured a dark undertone that avoided the typical drab brightness of silver metallic paint. The new wheels looked great but were difficult to clean due to gloss black inserts.

Inside, the Accord's cabin looked upscale, with plastic lower panels that didn't feel cheap, simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. However, the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a disappointment. The controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with both a volume knob and a tuning knob for the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Outward visibility was excellent, and the driver could see plenty of the sculpted hood, making parking and maneuvering easier.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition was introduced to commemorate the model's discontinuation, with a price of $31,570. Only 1,973 units were produced, featuring exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and special badges. The Limited Edition was the only 2022 Passat available in Racing Green paint, with other colors including white, gray, and red. The test car's interior featured Mauro Brown leather upholstery, matching fake wood trim, and contrasting dark dashboard, carpets, and door panels. Special seat tags and rubber cupholder inserts with a relief map of Chattanooga added unique touches.

The Passat's design, though over a decade old, aged well and looked upscale inside and out. The 2020 refresh extended its shelf life, but the interior was a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies. The 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and small driver information display appeared archaic. However, the Passat's cabin displayed modernity with integrated dashboard air vents, metallic detailing, and subdued surface textures, adding traditional European sobriety. The Passat's interior was a fine place to spend time, despite the outdated technology and materials.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, making the Accord Hybrid feel quick from a standing start. Honda estimated a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, with most trims returning 48 mpg in combined driving. The Touring trim earned a 43-mpg rating due to its larger wheels and tires. The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode to tailor drivetrain characteristics.

For 2021, Honda refined the two-motor hybrid powertrain for improved throttle response and a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's official rating. The 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires provided excellent grip and handling, with a suspension tuned for athletic handling and a compliant ride. The brake-by-wire regenerative braking system offered excellent feel, modulation, and response. The Accord Hybrid was fun to drive, except when traveling over speed humps, which required slow speeds.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. The turbo engine's torque curve made the Passat acceptably powerful for commuting, running errands, and highway cruising. However, it lacked immediate power for passing or quick acceleration. The transmission's Sport mode held engine revs longer, making the Passat feel more responsive without significantly impacting fuel efficiency. The Passat returned 30.7 mpg on a mountainous testing loop, exceeding the EPA's 28 mpg combined rating.

The Passat's 18.5-gallon fuel tank allowed for over 500 miles between refueling stops. The car prioritized ride quality, feeling like it was floating down the road. However, the suspension and Giti-brand tires made the Passat feel jittery on city streets and conveyed impacts through the vehicle's architecture. The brake pedal feel and response were inconsistent, causing aggravation for the driver and passengers. On the highway, the Passat was quiet, with a low 0.28 coefficient of drag and silent Giti tires. The Passat's handling on twisty mountain roads revealed traditional Germanic traits, with flat cornering, non-squealing tires, and accurate steering. The combination of handling and visibility made the Passat enjoyable to drive, though many owners might not discover this.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered a spacious interior, competing as a midsize sedan but providing full-size sedan space. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and enormous back seat provided excellent leg support. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 16.7 cubic-foot trunk was the same size as other Accords and larger than any competitor in the segment. The trunk was deep enough to store full-size suitcases on their sides, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats expanded utility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's hallmark was its huge cabin, providing plenty of room for five adults. The dual-zone climate control system added comfort, but the front seats' eight-way power adjustment lacked separate bottom cushion angle adjustment. The back seat offered cross-your-legs comfort, with ample legroom, a raised rear seat cushion, and a comfortable backrest angle. Air conditioning vents, USB ports, and coat hooks added convenience. Storage space was good, with many locations lined with rubber to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness. The Passat's 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space was not class-leading but competitive. The trunk had no underfloor trays or side bins, so securing groceries was necessary. The remote keyless entry fob allowed for easy trunk access.

For 2021, the Honda Accord Hybrid's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system became standard, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EX trim and higher offered wireless connectivity for these platforms, improved USB port access, and 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on EX trim and higher. The EX-L trim included a premium sound system, while the Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well but required specific prompts for voice commands. The navigation system struggled to locate the closest hospital, highlighting a limitation in voice-activated navigation.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system featured a 6.3-inch screen with standard App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth supporting two paired devices simultaneously. Car-Net connected service plans included access to a WiFi hotspot. The R-Line and Limited Edition trims added HD Radio, a navigation system with improved voice recognition, and a Fender premium audio system. The voice recognition system worked for simple commands but struggled with more complex, naturally spoken commands. The Fender audio system offered excellent clarity and range, making it one of the best features of the 2022 Passat.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to its headlights. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard to achieve this rating. The Accord Hybrid included a standard rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system. The Touring model gained low-speed braking control, a front and rear automatic emergency braking system for parking. The Honda Sensing collection of ADAS featured refinements to adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems. However, the systems remained intrusive, and the low-speed automatic braking needed recalibration.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat SE included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic rear braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. Car-Net connected services offered Family Guardian alerts and emergency assistance calling. The R-Line trim added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition included adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and park-assist. The lane-keeping assistance system made unnecessary corrections, and the reverse automatic braking system was overly sensitive. The IIHS rated the top-trim headlights "Good," but the NHTSA gave the Passat a four-star overall rating, with a three-star rating for frontal-impact collision protection.