Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Cadillac CT4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Passat are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Cadillac CT4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 CT4 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.

Both the Passat and the CT4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Passat the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 205 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CT4 has not been tested, yet.

The Passat’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the CT4’s (7 vs. 6 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. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the CT4.

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the CT4’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Passat’s reliability 18 points higher than the CT4.

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better mileage than the CT4:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CT4 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passat has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CT4 (18.5 vs. 17 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 Cadillac CT4 (6 to 7). This means the Passat produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CT4 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Passat’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the CT4:

The Passat stops shorter than the CT4:

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the CT4 (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passat has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CT4.

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 CT4; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the CT4 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passat’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the CT4 (110.4 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Passat is 1.4 inches wider in the front than on the CT4.

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the CT4’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.1 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the CT4 AWD’s (36.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Passat a Mid-size car, while the CT4 is rated a Compact.

The Passat has 11 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CT4 (101 vs. 90).

The Passat has 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 5.7 inches more rear legroom and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CT4.

The front step up height for the Passat is .7 inches lower than the CT4 (15.8” vs. 16.5”). The Passat’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the CT4’s (15.5” vs. 17”).

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the CT4 (15.9 vs. 10.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Passat easier. The Passat’s trunk lift-over height is 28.2 inches, while the CT4’s liftover is 30 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Passat Limited’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CT4 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Passat’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The CT4’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Passat the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the CT4 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Passat has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The CT4 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 CT4’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 CT4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The CT4 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional 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.

The Passat has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the CT4. 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 CT4.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Passat, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac CT4 isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Cadillac CT4 by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.