Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2021 Mazda 6

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 Mazda 6 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.

Compared to metal, the Passat’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda 6 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Passat and the Mazda 6 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, 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 Mazda 6:

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 Mazda 6:

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 6’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 Mazda 6’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. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 6.

There are over 16 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Passat’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Mazda 6’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Passat has a 140-amp alternator. The Mazda 6’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 186) than the Mazda 6’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Volkswagen Passat is faster than the Mazda 6 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better fuel mileage than the Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder (24 city/36 hwy vs. 23 city/31 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passat has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mazda 6 (18.5 vs. 16.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda 6 (3 to 7). This means the Passat produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Mazda 6 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Passat’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Mazda 6:

The Passat stops much shorter than the Mazda 6:

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the Mazda 6 (235/45R18 vs. 225/55R17).

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 Mazda 6 Sport’s standard 55 series tires. The Passat R-Line’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mazda 6 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passat has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Mazda 6 Sport.

The Passat R-Line handles at .84 G’s, while the Mazda 6 Signature pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Passat executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Mazda 6 Touring (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Passat has .2 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and 1.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mazda 6.

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the Mazda 6 (15.9 vs. 14.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Passat. The Mazda 6 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 Mazda 6 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 Mazda 6 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The power windows standard on both the Passat and the Mazda 6 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 Mazda 6 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Mazda 6 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Mazda 6’s power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Mazda 6 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Passat’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the Mazda 6 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the Mazda 6 because typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the Mazda 6, including $15 less for front brake pads, $311 less for fuel injection, $50 less for a fuel pump and $29 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Passat and the Mazda 6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Mazda 6 by 26% during the 2021 model year.