2021 Mazda MAZDA3 vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3, following its 2019 redesign, continued to captivate with its award-winning design. Its bodywork exuded a blend of drama and sophistication, making it a standout in its class. The sedan version, while more conservative, still offered a visually engaging experience. The 2.5 Turbo model, available in both sedan and hatchback forms, came with all-wheel drive and a choice of standard or Premium Plus trim. The interior, especially in the Premium Plus trim, featured luxurious touches like Nappa leather and a high-contrast two-tone design, aiming to elevate Mazda's brand into the premium segment. Despite some use of hard plastics, the attention to design detail and driver-centric cabin layout made the Mazda3 feel like a legitimate entry-luxury car.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition marked the end of an era for the model. With only 1,973 units produced, it featured exclusive design elements like 18-inch alloy wheels and a unique Racing Green paint option. Inside, the Passat offered a spacious cabin with Mauro Brown leather upholstery and thoughtful details like special seat tags and rubber cupholder inserts. Despite its age, the Passat's design had aged gracefully, maintaining an upscale appearance. However, the interior was a mix of inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies, with a small infotainment screen and analog gauges. Nevertheless, the Passat's cabin provided a sense of traditional European sobriety, making it a comfortable place to spend time.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo was a performance-oriented vehicle, thanks to its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. When fueled with 93-octane gas, it delivered an impressive 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Even with 87-octane fuel, it still produced 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and Mazda's i-Activ AWD system, enhancing its corner-exit capability. The turbocharged powertrain added minimal weight but significantly boosted performance, making the driving experience transformative. The Mazda3 Turbo was tuned for smooth and predictable engine and transmission response, offering stunning speed without the freneticism typical of high-powered compact cars. The car's dynamic tuning, including improved steering feel and stiffer suspension, contributed to its sporty character. Despite its performance focus, the Mazda3 Turbo averaged 20.4 mpg during testing, falling short of the EPA estimate.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine lacked the power for quick passing maneuvers. The six-speed automatic transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, often upshifting quickly. However, the Passat's torque curve provided acceptable power for commuting and highway cruising. In Sport mode, the transmission held engine revs longer, but fuel efficiency remained impressive, achieving 30.7 mpg during testing. The Passat's ride quality was prioritized, offering a floating sensation on the road. However, its suspension and tire combination sometimes resulted in a jittery feel on city streets. Despite these quirks, the Passat exhibited traditional German handling traits on twisty roads, providing a flat cornering attitude and accurate steering.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 2.5 Turbo's interior was lined with Nappa leather and featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, giving it a luxury feel. However, it lacked some premium features, such as ventilated front seats and rear-seat amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat did not. In-cabin storage was adequate, but the wireless smartphone charging location reduced storage capacity. The sedan's trunk space measured 13.2 cubic feet, while the hatchback version offered more utility with 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 47.1 cubic feet with it folded down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat boasted a spacious cabin with ample room for five adults. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, but the lack of separate bottom cushion angle adjustment affected comfort. The rear seat provided excellent legroom and comfort, with air conditioning vents and USB ports available. Storage space was good, with many locations lined with rubber to reduce noise. The Passat's trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, though it lacked underfloor trays or side bins for securing items.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year trial of Mazda Connected Services. A WiFi hotspot was available, and the MyMazda app allowed remote operation of the car. However, the lack of a touchscreen and poor voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The system was paired with a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, offering good audio quality, especially with FLAC files. An Active Driving Display provided useful information, including speed and safety technology status.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system, while not as advanced as other VW models, included App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth for two devices. The R-Line and Limited Edition trims added HD Radio, navigation, and a Fender premium audio system. The voice recognition system worked for simple commands but struggled with complex ones. The Fender audio system was a standout feature, offering excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3's i-ActiveSense safety suite aimed to support the driver with a range of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and an Adaptive Front Lighting System. The Premium Plus trim added a surround-view camera, parking sensors, low-speed reverse automatic braking, and Traffic Jam Assist. The Mazda3 excelled in crash tests, earning top ratings from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's safety features lagged behind more modern VW models but included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The R-Line trim added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition included adaptive headlights and a park-assist system. The Passat's safety systems generally worked well, though the lane-keeping assistance system was sometimes inaccurate. The IIHS gave the Passat's headlights a "Good" rating, but the NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.