Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Toyota Avalon

Both the Passat and the Avalon 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning 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 Toyota Avalon:

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 Toyota Avalon:

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

The Passat comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Avalon’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

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

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

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

The Passat has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon XLE’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passat has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Avalon Limited/Touring’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.8 gallons).

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

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

The Passat stops shorter than the Avalon:

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the Avalon (235/45R18 vs. 215/55R17).

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 Avalon XLE’s standard 55 series tires.

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

The Passat R-Line handles at .83 G’s, while the Avalon Touring pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Avalon XLE’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.7 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Avalon Limited/Touring’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Volkswagen Passat may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 350 pounds less than the Toyota Avalon.

The Passat has .9 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the Avalon.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Passat. The Avalon doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

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 Avalon doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

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 Avalon doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Passat’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Avalon’s passenger power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Avalon’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 Avalon doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Avalon Limited/Touring’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 Avalon 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 Avalon because typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the Avalon, including $32 less for front brake pads, $183 less for fuel injection and $602 less for a timing belt/chain.

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

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Toyota Avalon by 9% during the 2021 model year.