Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/05/01

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 C-Class Sedan 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’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan.

Both the Passat and the C-Class Sedan 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, daytime running lights, blind spot 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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	Passat	C-Class Sedan
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	41%	60%
Neck Compression	85 lbs.	219 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	86/37 lbs.	311/161 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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

	Passat	C-Class Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	136 G’s	147 G’s
Hip Force	247 lbs.	452 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	280	459
Spine Acceleration	61 G’s	67 G’s
Hip Force	627 lbs.	949 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	671 lbs.	769 lbs.

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 C-Class Sedan’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. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class Sedan.

There are over 66 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes 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 C-Class Sedan’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better mileage than the C-Class Sedan:

			MPG
Passat
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/36 hwy
C-Class Sedan
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Passat has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-Class Sedan (18.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan (6). This means the Passat produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the C-Class Sedan every 15,000 miles.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the C-Class Sedan (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R17). The Passat’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (235/45R18 vs. 225/40R19).

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 C-Class Sedan’s 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 C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

Chassis

The design of the Volkswagen Passat amounts to more than styling. The Passat has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the C-Class Sedan (.3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Passat get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

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

The Passat has 11 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (101 vs. 90).

The Passat has 1.2 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 3.9 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

The front step up height for the Passat is .7 inches lower than the C-Class Sedan (15.8” vs. 16.5”). The Passat’s rear step up height is 1.3 inches lower than the C-Class Sedan’s (15.5” vs. 16.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (15.9 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

Ergonomics

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 C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Passat and the C-Class Sedan have standard heated front seats. 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 C-Class Sedan.

Economic Advantages

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 C-Class Sedan is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the C-Class Sedan because it costs $373 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the C-Class Sedan, including $213 less for a water pump, $229 less for a muffler, $24 less for front brake pads, $98 less for fuel injection, $380 less for a fuel pump, $39 less for front struts and $400 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Passat and the Mercedes C-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.