Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Toyota Camry

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 Camry’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 Camry.

Both the Passat and the Camry 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 side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Toyota Camry:

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 Camry’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 Camry’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 182) than the Camry AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 184) than the Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 185) than the Camry XSE AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Volkswagen Passat is faster than the Toyota Camry 4 cyl.:

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

The Passat has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry AWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passat has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry FWD’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 Camry (5 to 7). This means the Passat produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Camry every 15,000 miles.

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

The Passat stops shorter than the Camry:

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the Camry (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 Camry LE’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 Camry LE.

The Passat has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Camry doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Passat R-Line handles at .83 G’s, while the Camry XLE pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Passat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Camry SE (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Camry L/LE’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Camry AWD’s (36.4 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The Passat has .3 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the Camry.

The Passat has a larger trunk than the Camry (15.9 vs. 15.1 cubic feet).

The Passat’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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 Camry 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 maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Camry doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

When three different drivers share the Passat Limited, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Camry doesn’t offer a memory system.

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 Camry’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 Camry 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 Camry 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. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Camry.

The Passat has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Camry, and aren’t available on the Camry Nightshade/TRD. 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 Camry.

The Passat has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Camry TRD doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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 not available on the Camry TRD.

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 Camry 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 Camry because typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the Camry, including $20 less for front brake pads, $212 less for fuel injection, $565 less for a timing belt/chain and $447 less for a power steering pump.