2022 Audi A4 vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year's facelift, which was the first major update in nearly a decade. This facelift gave the Passat a more understated look, closely resembling the smaller Volkswagen Jetta sedan. The Passat's smooth, aerodynamic shape, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, aimed to enhance fuel efficiency, although the impact was minimal. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim. The R-Line trim added sportier exterior elements but lacked vibrant color options.

Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls for ease of use. The dashboard's low profile improved forward visibility, while the low beltline enhanced side visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in this non-sporty car. The interior materials were mostly plastic, with cloth upholstery on S models and V-Tex leatherette on SE and R-Line trims. Despite the plain design, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's value-oriented market positioning.

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, and the performance-tuned S4. The A4 came in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series, with trim levels ranging from Premium to Prestige. Prices started under $40,000 and could exceed $50,000. Our test car, a Prestige 45 TFSI, featured Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, and ventilated front seats, with an MSRP of $55,890.

The A4's exterior was simple and conservative, serving as an ideal canvas for the Tango Red paint and Black Optic detailing. Inside, the A4 maintained aesthetic restraint with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, and ambient lighting. The dashboard integrated air vents seamlessly, and controls were clearly labeled. The only drawback was the tablet-style touchscreen, which seemed like an afterthought. Overall, the A4's interior was a blend of luxury and functionality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the torque was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The power delivery felt uneven, especially during highway overtakes, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved the response. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra all-wheel drive. This setup achieved an EPA rating of 29 mpg combined and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI, our test car, offered 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, with a lowered sport suspension. It reached 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and had an EPA rating of 27 mpg combined. The A4's driving modes included Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual, with the test car averaging 24.8 mpg. The A4's driving experience was joyful, with refined engine performance, excellent tire grip, and outstanding brake performance. The steering was adequate but could be improved. The A4's structure and suspension provided a solid and quiet ride, making it a dynamically rewarding sports sedan.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than the Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. The layout of controls was a strong point, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2022 Audi A4's low seating position made entry and exit challenging, and the small door openings and snug cabin didn't help. However, the front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The A4 featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, separate from the infotainment screen, and an intuitive layout. The rear seats were less spacious, with hard plastic and storage netting on the front seatbacks, making them less friendly to knees and shins. Interior storage was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The A4's 13 cubic-foot trunk was well-finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets, and easy to close with grab handles.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on SE and R-Line trims. The Passat had a single USB-A port for connectivity and two rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and the dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls made it easy to use. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and MIB3 infotainment system, making it a simple choice for those who didn't need a tech-heavy car.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The screen supported common smartphone functions and provided acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was easy to configure and use, with a Home button for quick access to the main menu. The voice recognition technology was accurate but slow. The A4's climate controls were separate from the touchscreen, and the car had a knob and buttons for stereo volume and tuning. The Bang & Olufsen stereo was satisfying, but sound quality degraded at high volumes. The head-up display was hard to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA hadn't published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also had VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Audi A4's safety features varied by trim level, with the Prestige model offering the most comprehensive package. The A4 Prestige included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The Matrix-design LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation provided excellent visibility. The A4's driver assistance tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control had a delayed reaction in some situations. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.