2020 Volkswagen Passat vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat bore a striking resemblance to its predecessors from 2012 to 2019, as well as the redesigned VW Jetta. Its exterior design borrowed heavily from the Jetta, giving it a familiar yet slightly updated look. Inside, the Passat retained the architectural T-square dashboard of the previous model, featuring a modest 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The interior was dominated by cheap, glossy plastic, which, while easy to clean, did not exude a premium feel. However, the Passat was designed with ease in mind—easy to look at, easy to drive, and easy on the wallet. It was available in four trims: S, SE, R-Line, and SEL, with prices ranging from $22,995 to $31,095.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, shared its design language with other Nissan models, featuring the signature V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design and quad-tip exhaust finishers added a sporty touch, especially in the SR trim, which also included a rear spoiler. The Maxima was available in S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum trims. The Platinum trim, which was tested, came with 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and Goodyear all-season tires. Inside, the Maxima's cabin was filled with high-quality materials, especially in the Platinum Reserve Package, which featured semi-aniline leather and Satin Bronze interior finishers. The thick center console created a segmented front row, but the cabin remained spacious and comfortable.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. It used a 6-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels. The Passat's powertrain was simple and efficient, averaging 26 mpg in combined driving, just shy of the EPA's 27-mpg rating. The steering was light and precise, and the brakes were effective, though a bit grabby. The suspension, however, was a mixed bag—too stiff over sharp bumps and too soft over undulations, resulting in a somewhat busy ride.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite being marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more comfortable as a cruiser. It handled road imperfections well and featured active noise cancellation in higher trims. The Maxima's fuel economy was estimated at 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. While it lacked all-wheel drive, the Maxima felt planted in most driving situations, though it could get a bit squirrelly under hard acceleration.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat was designed with American consumers in mind, offering a spacious interior with wide, comfortable seats and excellent outward visibility. Cloth upholstery was standard in the base S trim, while higher trims featured V-Tex leatherette or genuine leather. The trunk offered 15.9 cubic feet of space, easily accommodating full-size suitcases and compact folding strollers. The Passat's size and utility made it a practical choice, only falling short if all-wheel drive or a third-row seat was needed.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima also provided a spacious and comfortable interior, though the thick center console limited the feeling of openness. The front seats were wide and comfortable, suitable for long road trips. However, the Maxima lagged behind competitors in legroom and cargo space, offering 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space. Despite these limitations, the Maxima handled daily cargo and seating needs well. The front in-door bottle holders were a practical feature, accommodating 20-ounce bottles.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat lacked the latest infotainment and digital cockpit technologies, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen display. However, it included App Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD and SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, and Bluetooth. The SEL trim added navigation and a Fender premium sound system. The infotainment system was simple and user-friendly, with physical buttons and knobs. The Passat also offered an optional remote engine start system and parking steering-assist system in the SEL trim.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch driver information display, though they were not the most modern in appearance. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, and the Platinum trim offered NissanConnect Services. An optional Bose Premium Audio system with 11 speakers was available. The Maxima also featured an Around View Monitor camera system, a power rear sunshade, and keyless entry. USB-A and USB-C ports were available in the front and rear, making charging devices convenient.

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. An automatic post-collision braking system was also standard. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, while the SEL trim included parking assist sensors and adaptive headlights. The Passat earned the top rating of Good in IIHS crash tests.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard across all trims, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control were standard on all trims except the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, earning a top "superior" rating for front crash prevention.