Compare the2022 Chrysler 300VS 2021 Volkswagen Passat

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Chrysler 300 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Passat doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 300 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Passat doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 5 points, IIHS rates the Active Braking optional in the 300 as “Superior.” The Passat scores only 3 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The 300 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Passat doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the 300 and the Passat have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Chrysler 300 weighs 699 to 1066 pounds more than the Volkswagen Passat. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	300	Passat
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	131	312
Neck Injury Risk	31%	39%
Neck Stress	280 lbs.	391 lbs.
Neck Compression	10 lbs.	47 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	203	384
Neck Injury Risk	33%	41%
Neck Stress	143 lbs.	297 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	300	Passat
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	134	280
Spine Acceleration	50 G’s	61 G’s
Hip Force	350 lbs.	627 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
HIC	302	305

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

Chrysler’s powertrain warranty covers the 300 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Passat. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Passat ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The 300’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Passat’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are almost 4 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 300 has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - 300 S). The Passat’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the 300 has a standard 730-amp battery. The Passat’s 480-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the 300 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 300’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Passat’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the 300’s reliability 25 points higher than the Passat.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 300 second among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Passat isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chrysler vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chrysler 5 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The 300’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 118 more horsepower (292 vs. 174) and 54 lbs.-ft. more torque (260 vs. 206) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 300S’ standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 126 more horsepower (300 vs. 174) and 58 lbs.-ft. more torque (264 vs. 206) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 300’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 189 more horsepower (363 vs. 174) and 188 lbs.-ft. more torque (394 vs. 206) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Chrysler 300 V6 is faster than the Volkswagen Passat:

	300	Passat
Zero to 60 MPH	6.5 sec	8.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.7 sec	9 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.7 sec	4.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	121 MPH	116 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The Passat doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The 300 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Passat doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Chrysler 300, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Passat.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 300’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Passat:

	300	300 V8/AWD	Passat
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	13.6 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	12.6 inches	10.7 inches

The 300 V8/AWD’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Passat are solid, not vented.

The 300 stops much shorter than the Passat:

	300	Passat
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 300’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Passat (245/45R20 vs. 235/45R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 300 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Passat’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The 300 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Passat’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 300’s wheelbase is 9.6 inches longer than on the Passat (120 inches vs. 110.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 300 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Passat.

The 300S handles at .85 G’s, while the Passat R-Line pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The 300S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Passat R-Line (26.7 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 300 a Large car, while the Passat is rated a Mid-size.

The 300 has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Passat (106.3 vs. 102.3).

The 300 has .3 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Passat.

Cargo Capacity

The 300 has a larger trunk than the Passat (16.3 vs. 15.9 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the 300’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Passat’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Mitigation on the 300 uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Passat doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the 300 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Passat. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The 300 (except Base)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Passat doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

On a hot day the 300’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Passat can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The 300’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Passat’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the 300 Touring L/S to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Passat doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

When the 300 Touring L/S with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Passat’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 300’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Passat offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 300 Touring L/S keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Passat doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the 300 Touring L/S’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Passat doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 300 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Passat SE/R-Line.

Both the 300 and the Passat offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 300 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Passat doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chrysler 300 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) for the front seat. The Passat doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 300 is less expensive to operate than the Passat because it costs $291 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 300 than the Passat, including $106 less for a water pump, $520 less for a starter, $29 less for fuel injection, $57 less for a fuel pump and $204 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chrysler 300 and the Volkswagen Passat, based on reliability, safety and performance.