2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2020 Honda Civic was celebrated as a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a range of choices and engineering excellence typically associated with luxury brands. It came in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elegant, elongated body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights enhancing its low and wide stance. The 2019 updates to grilles, bumpers, and wheels carried over, with the Civic Si sedan and coupe receiving additional matte-black wheels and LED lighting options.

Inside, the Civic's simple yet high-quality interior featured soft-touch materials and a narrow centre stack. The 2020 model introduced new dash accents and sport seats with red bands for the Si trim. The interior was designed for functionality, with a conventional shifter and configurable storage options. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space, though the lack of rear air vents was noted. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 416 litres and the hatchback providing up to 1,302 litres with seats folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its understated exterior styling from the previous year's facelift, resembling the smaller Jetta. Its smooth, aerodynamic shape contributed to a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with Execline models offering 19-inch wheels and an Adaptive Front-lighting System. The Passat's interior was clean and functional, with analog controls and a short dashboard enhancing visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place. While the interior was plain, with silver-coloured plastic trim and leatherette upholstery, the fit and finish were excellent.

The Passat's interior space was a mixed bag. Rear legroom was ample at 993 millimetres, but front legroom and headroom were below average. The driving position was uncomfortable for some, with limited thigh support in the front seats. Cargo space was 450 litres, more than some rivals but less than others. The layout of controls was a highlight, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, though the lack of advanced tech features might disappoint some buyers.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a variety of powertrains, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, standard on higher trims, delivered 174 to 180 horsepower. The Civic Si featured a boosted 1.5-litre engine with 205 horsepower, while the Type R boasted 306 horsepower. The Si's adaptive dampers and precise steering made it a joy to drive, though it rode stiffer than regular models. Fuel efficiency varied, with the Si rated at 8.9 L/100 km city and 6.4 highway.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat simplified its powertrain options to a single 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the torque was impressive, the horsepower was below average. Power delivery was uneven, with slower response during highway overtakes unless in Sport mode. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness of some rivals. Ride quality and cabin noise were acceptable but not outstanding.

The 2020 Honda Civic's interior featured improvements like a volume knob and better cupholders. The EX hatchback offered an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The steering wheel had controls for the central display and instrument panel, with a conventional shifter and configurable storage. Rear passenger space was generous, though rear air vents were absent. Cargo space was ample, with the sedan offering 416 litres and the hatchback up to 1,302 litres.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 993 millimetres of rear legroom but sacrificed front legroom and headroom. The driving position was uncomfortable for some, with limited thigh support. Cargo space was 450 litres, more than some competitors but less than others. In-cabin storage was limited, and door bottle holders were not well-shaped. The layout of controls was user-friendly, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on most models. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Garmin-based navigation on top trims. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, and LaneWatch for blind-spot monitoring. Honda Sensing was standard, offering advanced safety features.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and SiriusXM. Execline models included navigation and a premium audio system. The touchscreen was small but functional, with analog controls for basic functions. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit and newer infotainment systems.

The 2020 Honda Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA rated it five stars overall, except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash on the coupe. Honda Sensing included forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, but its headlights were rated "marginal." The NHTSA had not published ratings. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Passat also featured an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.