Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Hyundai Sonata

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Passenger Space
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Sonata 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.

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. Only the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line offers a blind spot warning system.

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. Only the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Passat and the Sonata 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 Hyundai Sonata:

	Passat	Sonata
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	312	514
Leg Forces (l/r)	104/367 lbs.	321/341 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 Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

	Passat	Sonata
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	163
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	136 G’s	305 G’s
Hip Force	247 lbs.	498 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	280	301
Spine Acceleration	61 G’s	72 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	20 inches

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

Reliability

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

Engine

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 195) than the Sonata SEL Plus/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder. The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 181) than the Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better fuel mileage than the Sonata N Line 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder (24 city/36 hwy vs. 23 city/33 hwy).

The Passat has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sonata SE’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passat has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Sonata (5 to 7). This means the Passat produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Sonata every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Passat	Sonata
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	12 inches

The Passat stops shorter than the Sonata:

	Passat	Sonata
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the Sonata (235/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

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 Sonata SE’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passat has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata SE.

Passenger Space

The Passat has 4.3 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sonata.

Ergonomics

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 Sonata’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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 Sonata can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Sonata’s standard 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 Sonata doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 Sonata 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.

The Passat’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line.

The Passat has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line. 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 Sonata.

The Passat 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 Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line.

Economic Advantages

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 Sonata 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 Sonata because typical repairs cost less on the Passat than the Sonata, including $153 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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