Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Acura ILX

The Passat has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The ILX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Passat has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the ILX.

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

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

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 Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Acura ILX:

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

The Passat’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the ILX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passat for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Acura doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the ILX.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passat’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the ILX’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 4 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 180) than the ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better fuel mileage than the ILX (24 city/36 hwy vs. 24 city/34 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The ILX requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passat has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the ILX (18.5 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the Acura ILX (3). This means the Passat produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the ILX every 15,000 miles.

The Passat stops much shorter than the ILX:

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the ILX (235/45R18 vs. 215/45R17). The Passat’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ILX (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passat has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ILX. The Passat R-Line’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the ILX A-SPEC.

The Passat has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the ILX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passat’s wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than on the ILX (110.4 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Passat is 2.3 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than on the ILX.

The Passat R-Line handles at .84 G’s, while the ILX A-SPEC pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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

The Passat has 11.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ILX (101 vs. 89.3).

The Passat has .3 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the ILX.

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the ILX (15.9 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

The Passat’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The ILX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just kicking your foot under the back bumper can open the Passat Limited’s trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The ILX doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The power windows standard on both the Passat and the ILX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Passat is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The ILX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Passat’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The ILX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Passat’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The ILX’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Passat to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The ILX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Passat R-Line/Limited detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The ILX doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Passat R-Line/Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The ILX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Passat R-Line/Limited also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Both the Passat and the ILX have standard heated front seats. The Passat Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ILX.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Passat owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Passat with a number “1” insurance rate while the ILX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the ILX because typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the ILX, including $249 less for fuel injection, $56 less for a fuel pump and $263 less for a power steering pump.

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

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Acura ILX by 48% during the 2021 model year.