2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year, following a significant facelift in 2020. This update marked the first major design change for the sedan in nearly a decade. The Passat's body shell remained largely unchanged, with modifications to every panel except the roof, resulting in a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta sedan. This gave the Passat a more understated appearance compared to its more radically-styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth, aerodynamic shape, reminiscent of the jellybean sedans of the 1990s, boasted a drag coefficient of 0.28, which contributed to its fuel efficiency, albeit not dramatically. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim level. The R-Line trim added sportier exterior elements, although the color palette remained conservative.

Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls for ease of use. The dashboard was short and low, enhancing forward visibility, while a low beltline improved side visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in this otherwise un-sporty car. The interior materials were primarily plastic, with cloth upholstery on S models and V-Tex leatherette on SE and R-Line trims. While some buyers might find the interior plain, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's value-oriented market positioning.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a descendant of the original 1983 Rabbit GTI, continued to define the hot hatch genre with its performance-oriented enhancements. Sharing its basics with the regular Golf, the GTI featured subtle yet impactful upgrades, such as red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers visible through the standard 18-inch alloy wheels. The GTI's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black exterior accents contributed to its sporty appearance. Inside, the GTI's sporty theme continued with red ambient lighting, a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, and heated front sport seats available in Clark plaid cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. The GTI's interior exuded quality, with high-grade materials and meticulous installation.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower was slightly below average compared to competitors, the torque was impressive, providing enough power to spin the wheels when accelerating from a stop. However, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, with slower response during highway overtakes. Switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved performance, but a manual transmission option was notably absent. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in rivals like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. While ride quality and cabin noise levels were acceptable on the highway, the Passat failed to excite on twisty roads.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in performance, a hallmark of the hot hatch category. Equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the GTI delivered a spirited driving experience. The test model featured a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual was available for those seeking a more engaging drive. The GTI's handling was exceptional, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension, variable-ratio steering, and Golf R front brakes. However, the performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads. The GTI's fuel economy was respectable, with figures of 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for the manual transmission and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined for the dual-clutch transmission. Notably, the GTI only required regular unleaded fuel, though premium unleaded was recommended for optimal performance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat was known for its spacious rear seats, offering 39.1 inches of rear legroom, although this was slightly less than competitors like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. Front headroom was also lacking compared to other midsize sedans. The driving position was uncomfortable, with limited front legroom and inadequate thigh support in the front seats. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat provided 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than others like the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. The Passat excelled in control layout, featuring large buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read analog instrument cluster.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its compact hatchback form, offered impressive utility for its size. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase and compact dimensions, the GTI was 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall. It provided 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The front row accommodated taller drivers comfortably, while the second row was suitable for two average-sized adults or three children. The GTI's compact size and sharp steering made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, aided by a tight turning circle and excellent visibility. Inside, clever storage options included large front door pockets and well-sized cupholders, though the mechanical handbrake interfered slightly with access to the cupholders.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. R-Line models added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on SE and R-Line trims. A single USB-A port handled connectivity, with two additional rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small by modern standards but included pinch-to-zoom capability. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit or MIB3 infotainment system found in other VW models, appealing to those seeking simplicity over a tech-heavy experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI offered a mix of traditional and modern technology. It retained an analog gauge cluster, with a configurable driver information screen. The GTI's infotainment system varied by trim, with S models using the MIB2 system and SE and Autobahn models featuring the MIB3 system with an 8-inch screen and navigation. All systems supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink. The GTI included two USB ports, with SE and Autobahn models offering illuminated ports. Volkswagen Car-Net was available, providing remote access, hotspot capabilities, and integration with Amazon Alexa. The GTI also featured LED lighting, keyless access, rain-sensing wipers, and heated mirrors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the small overlap front passenger side test and a "Poor" rating for the base Halogen headlights. The GTI came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and multiple airbags. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control. The GTI's sharp handling also contributed to its safety by potentially avoiding collisions.