Compare the2022 Subaru LegacyVS 2022 Volkswagen Passat

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Legacy have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Passat doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Legacy are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Passat doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Subaru Legacy has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Passat doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Legacy has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Passat doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Pre-Collision Braking in the Legacy as “Superior.” The Passat scores only 3 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Legacy Sport/Limited/Touring has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Passat doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Legacy has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Passat doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Legacy’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Passat doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Legacy and the Passat have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Legacy is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	Legacy	Passat
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	158	170
Neck Injury Risk	26%	28.5%
Neck Compression	57 lbs.	61 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/249 lbs.	166/453 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	241	267
Chest Compression	.6 inches	1 inches
Neck Injury Risk	43%	46.5%
Neck Stress	147 lbs.	265 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	147 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 Subaru Legacy is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	Legacy	Passat
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	50	87
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	220	249
Spine Acceleration	62 G’s	62 G’s
Hip Force	581 lbs.	713 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	15 inches
HIC	104	359
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	681 lbs.	720 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Legacy its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Passat has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Subaru’s powertrain warranty covers the Legacy 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Passat. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Passat ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Legacy’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Passat’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Legacy has a standard 150-amp alternator (190-amp - Legacy XT). The Passat’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Legacy has a standard 620-amp battery. The Passat’s 480-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 Legacy’s reliability 11 points higher than the Passat.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 24th in initial quality. With 31 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 17th in reliability. With 38 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 16 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The Legacy 2.5i’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 8 more horsepower (182 vs. 174) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Legacy XT’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 86 more horsepower (260 vs. 174) and 71 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 206) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Legacy 2.5i 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Volkswagen Passat:

	Legacy	Passat
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	8.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.6 sec	9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.8 sec	6.3 sec
Top Speed	130 MPH	116 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Legacy lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Passat doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Legacy 2.5i 2.5 DOHC flat-4 gets better fuel mileage than the Passat (27 city/35 hwy vs. 24 city/36 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Legacy’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Passat doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

The Legacy has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Passat doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Legacy’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Passat are solid, not vented.

The Legacy stops much shorter than the Passat:

	Legacy	Passat
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	131 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Legacy is .5 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Passat.

The Legacy Sport handles at .84 G’s, while the Passat pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Legacy Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Passat R-Line (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The Legacy is 3 inches shorter than the Passat, making the Legacy easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Legacy 2.5i uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Passat doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

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

The Legacy has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Passat (105.5 vs. 101).

The Legacy has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Passat.

The front step up height for the Legacy is 2.3 inches lower than the Passat (13.5” vs. 15.8”). The Legacy’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the Passat’s (14” vs. 15.5”).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Legacy easier. The Legacy’s trunk lift-over height is 26.8 inches, while the Passat’s liftover is 28.2 inches.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Legacy’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Passat’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Legacy is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Passat. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Legacy’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Passat has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Legacy’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Legacy Base). The Passat doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Car-Net can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

When the Legacy Limited/Touring is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Passat’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Legacy’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Passat has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Legacy Touring XT keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Passat doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Legacy’s optional (except Base/Premium/Sport) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Passat doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Legacy (except Base) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Passat doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

The Legacy will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Legacy will retain 51.83% to 53.47% of its original price after five years, while the Passat only retains 47.05% to 47.7%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Legacy is less expensive to operate than the Passat because typical repairs cost much less on the Legacy than the Passat, including $98 less for a water pump, $473 less for a muffler, $2 less for front brake pads, $301 less for a starter, $34 less for fuel injection, $58 less for a fuel pump, $54 less for front struts, $333 less for a timing belt/chain and $176 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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

The Subaru Legacy outsold the Volkswagen Passat by 11% during the 2021 model year.