2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was immediately recognizable. The N Line treatment further enhanced its appeal with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The interior featured sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, red stitching, and dark chrome accents, creating a sporty yet refined atmosphere. The panoramic sunroof added a sense of spaciousness, making the cabin feel roomier.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition aimed to commemorate the model's legacy with exclusive features and a unique Racing Green paint color. The interior boasted Mauro Brown leather upholstery, fake wood trim, and special seat tags, giving it an upscale feel. Despite its age, the Passat's design had aged gracefully, and the freshening for the 2020 model year helped extend its shelf life. However, the interior was a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies, such as the 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and small driver information display.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The car offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and featured an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and 19-inch wheels with performance tires contributed to its impressive handling and ride quality. Despite its front-wheel-drive layout, the car handled well on winding roads, and the suspension effectively minimized body roll and excess motion. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 27 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generated 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission drove the front wheels, and the car prioritized fuel efficiency with a tendency to upshift quickly. The Passat's ride quality was generally smooth, but it could feel jittery on city streets and over road surface anomalies. The car's handling on twisty mountain roads revealed traditional German traits, with a flat cornering attitude and accurate steering. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 28 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing showed an impressive 30.7 mpg. The Passat's 18.5-gallon fuel tank allowed for long distances between refueling stops.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance between comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, making it comfortable for both front-seat occupants. However, the rear seats were not significantly more accommodating than those in the smaller Elantra N Line, with limited legroom and thigh support. The Sonata offered generous interior storage space and a roomy 16-cubic-foot trunk with a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle for closing the trunk was a drawback.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat excelled in interior space, offering ample room for five adults. The front seats had eight-way power adjustment, but the inability to separately adjust the bottom cushion angle affected comfort. The rear seats provided exceptional legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for added convenience. Storage space was good, though some areas were lined with hard plastic, causing items to slide and make noise. The Passat's 15.9-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, but it lacked underfloor trays or side bins for securing items. The remote keyless entry fob allowed for easy trunk access without touching the exterior paint.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were frustrating. The voice recognition technology was mostly accurate, and the Sounds of Nature feature provided ambient noise tracks for relaxation. Hyundai Digital Key was standard but only compatible with Android devices.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system featured a 6.3-inch screen with App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth for two paired devices. The R-Line and Limited Edition trims added HD Radio, navigation, and a Fender premium audio system. The voice recognition system worked well for simple commands but struggled with more complex ones. The Car-Net connected service plans offered additional features, including a WiFi hotspot. The Fender audio system was a standout feature, providing excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). This comprehensive package included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata's standard model received high safety ratings, though the N Line's specific ratings were not available at the time of review.

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. The R-Line trim added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition featured adaptive headlights, front and rear parking sensors, and a park-assist system. The lane-keeping assistance system was inconsistent, and the reverse automatic braking system was overly sensitive. The Passat received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rating for frontal-impact collision protection. The IIHS gave the top-trim headlights a "Good" rating and "Good" ratings in all crash tests.