Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2021 Acura TLX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
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 TLX 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the TLX’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 TLX.

Both the Passat and the TLX 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, 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 Acura TLX:

	Passat	TLX
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	86/37 lbs.	416/473 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 Acura TLX:

	Passat	TLX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	119	128
Abdominal Force	136 G’s	188 G’s
Hip Force	247 lbs.	279 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	305	464

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

Warranty

The Passat’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the TLX’s (7 vs. 5 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. Acura doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the TLX.

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

Reliability

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

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Passat’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

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 TLX.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 4 places higher in reliability than Acura.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Passat
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/36 hwy
TLX
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/31 hwy
		A-Spec 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/30 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy
		Perf. Tire 3.0 turbo V6	19 city/24 hwy

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

The Passat has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the TLX (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

The Passat stops shorter than the TLX:

	Passat	TLX
70 to 0 MPH	169 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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 TLX’s standard 50 series tires.

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 TLX; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the TLX’s (36.4 feet vs. 40.1 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the TLX 19/20-inch wheels’ (36.4 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

Chassis

The Volkswagen Passat may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 850 pounds less than the Acura TLX.

Passenger Space

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

The Passat has 7.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TLX (101 vs. 93.4).

The Passat has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the TLX.

Cargo Capacity

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the TLX (15.9 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

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

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Passat and the TLX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Passat is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The TLX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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

Recommendations

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

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Acura TLX by 5% during 2020.