Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2021 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
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 Altima 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 Altima’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 Altima.

Both the Passat and the Altima 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, 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 Nissan Altima:

	Passat	Altima
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	41%	54%
Neck Compression	85 lbs.	110 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	86/37 lbs.	260/280 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 Nissan Altima:

	Passat	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	119	187
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.4 inches
Abdominal Force	136 G’s	164 G’s
Hip Force	247 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	16 inches
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 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Altima’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 Altima’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. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Altima.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Altima’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 Altima’s standard 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 178) than the Altima’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 26 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 180) than the Altima’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better fuel mileage than the Altima SR 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder FWD (24 city/36 hwy vs. 25 city/34 hwy).

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

The Passat has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passat has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Passat	Altima
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.65 inches

The Passat stops shorter than the Altima:

	Passat	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	169 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the Altima (235/45R18 vs. 215/60R16).

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 Altima S’ standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passat has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

Passenger Space

The Passat has .9 inches more rear headroom and 3.9 inches more rear legroom than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

The Passat has a larger trunk than the Altima (15.9 vs. 15.4 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 Altima 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 Altima 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 Altima 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 Altima’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Altima SL/Platinum’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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 Altima’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 Altima 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 Altima 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. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Altima and aren’t offered on the Altima S.

The Passat has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Altima, and aren’t available on the Altima S. 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 Altima.

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 only available on the Altima SL/Platinum.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the Altima because it costs $37 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Passat than the Altima, including $18 less for front brake pads, $87 less for fuel injection and $30 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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