Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2021 Honda Accord

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 Accord 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 Accord Sport 2.0T/EX/EX-L/Touring 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 Accord Sport 2.0T/EX-L/Touring has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Passat and the Accord 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 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 Honda Accord:

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 Accord’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 Accord’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. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Accord.

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Accord’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 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 192) than the Accord’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better fuel mileage than the Accord Sport/Touring 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder 10 speed Auto (24 city/36 hwy vs. 22 city/32 hwy).

The Passat has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord (18.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Passat stops much shorter than the Accord:

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the Accord (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17).

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 Accord’s standard 50 series tires.

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

The Passat R-Line handles at .83 G’s, while the Accord pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Passat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Accord (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Accord LX/EX-L’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Accord 2.0T’s (36.4 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

The Passat has .1 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Accord.

The Passat’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord LX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

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

The power windows standard on both the Passat and the Accord 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 Accord prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Accord’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Accord’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror 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 Accord’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 Accord 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 Accord 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. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Accord Sport 2.0T/Sport SE/EX-L/Touring.

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 Accord is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the Accord because typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the Accord, including $234 less for fuel injection, $94 less for a fuel pump and $426 less for a power steering pump.

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