Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Audi A4

The Passat has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4’s blind spot costs extra.

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 A4.

Both the Passat and the A4 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, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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 Audi A4:

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 Audi A4:

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

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. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A4.

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Passat has a standard 480-amp battery. The A4’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 30th in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better fuel mileage than the A4 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid (24 city/36 hwy vs. 24 city/31 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passat has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 (18.5 vs. 15.3 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 Audi A4 (5). This means the Passat produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A4 every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the A4 (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17).

The Passat’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A4’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passat has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A4.

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the A4’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Passat a Mid-size car, while the A4 is rated a Compact.

The Passat has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (101 vs. 92).

The Passat has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 3.4 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the A4 (15.9 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Passat has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A4 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Consumer Reports rated the Passat’s headlight performance “Fair” to “Good” (depending on model and options), a higher rating than the A4’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The A4’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Passat R-Line/Limited’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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 A4 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the A4 because it costs $55 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the A4, including $257 less for a water pump, $58 less for front brake pads, $97 less for a starter, $113 less for fuel injection, $113 less for a fuel pump and $437 less for front struts.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Passat and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Audi A4/S4 by 26% during the 2021 model year.