Compare the2023 Hyundai SonataVS 2022 Volkswagen Passat

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

Safety

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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 Sonata 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 Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Passat only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Sonata’s 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 Sonata and the Passat 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras 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 Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	Sonata	Passat
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22%	28.5%
Neck Stress	171 lbs.	263 lbs.
Neck Compression	33 lbs.	61 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	1 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	46.5%
Neck Stress	98 lbs.	265 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/21 lbs.	173/49 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 Hyundai Sonata is safer than the Volkswagen Passat:

	Sonata	Passat
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	1 inches	1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	539 lbs.	713 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	288	359
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	577 lbs.	720 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sonata the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Passat has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The Sonata comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Passat’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Passat. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Passat ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Sonata’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Passat runs out after 100,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the Passat (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 29 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sonata’s warranty.

Reliability

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Sonata has a standard 760-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 Sonata’s reliability 17 points higher than the Passat.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 45 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Volkswagen.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 21st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 10 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The Sonata SEL Plus/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (180 vs. 174) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (191 vs. 174) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 116 more horsepower (290 vs. 174) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 206) than the Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Sonata SEL Plus/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Volkswagen Passat:

	Sonata	Passat
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	8.3 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.8 sec	9 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4.3 sec	4.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.1 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	88 MPH
Top Speed	135 MPH	116 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata gets better mileage than the Passat:

		MPG
Sonata
	SE 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/38 hwy
	SEL 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
Passat
	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/36 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sonata SE’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

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Hyundai Sonata, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Passat.

The Sonata offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Passat doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Sonata N Line’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Passat doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Sonata N Line’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Passat:

	Sonata N Line	Passat
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.8 inches	10.7 inches

The Sonata stops much shorter than the Passat:

	Sonata	Passat
70 to 0 MPH	152 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Sonata SEL Plus/N Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Passat (245/40R19 vs. 235/45R18).

Suspension and Handling

The Sonata has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Passat’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sonata’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Passat (111.8 inches vs. 110.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sonata is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Passat.

The Sonata N Line handles at .93 G’s, while the Passat pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Sonata N Line executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Passat R-Line (25.8 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The Hyundai Sonata may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Volkswagen Passat.

Passenger Space

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

The Sonata has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Passat (104.4 vs. 101).

The Sonata has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 3.7 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room and .6 inches more rear headroom than the Passat.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Sonata easier. The Sonata’s trunk lift-over height is 27 inches, while the Passat’s liftover is 28.2 inches.

Servicing Ease

The Sonata uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Passat uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Sonata Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Passat doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sonata Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Passat doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Sonata’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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Sonata Limited 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 Sonata Limited’s standard 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 Hyundai Sonata (except SE) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Passat doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Sonata Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Passat Limited’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sonata is less expensive to operate than the Passat because it costs $27 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Sonata than the Passat, including $156 less for a water pump, $74 less for a muffler, $16 less for front brake pads, $458 less for a starter, $12 less for fuel injection, $153 less for a fuel pump, $230 less for front struts and $240 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonata second among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Passat isn’t in the top three.

The Hyundai Sonata outsold the Volkswagen Passat by almost 23 to one during 2022.