2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive appearance that was unmistakably a Sonata. Its daring design, from the broad grille to the tapered tail, was a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. The N Line version enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The interior featured sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, and dark chrome accents, creating a sporty yet refined atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat maintained a more understated look, having received a facelift in 2020. Its design bore a strong resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan, with a smooth shape reminiscent of 1990s jellybean sedans, contributing to a drag coefficient of 0.28. 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 in this otherwise un-sporty car. The materials were mostly plastic with leatherette upholstery, but the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's value-oriented market positioning.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a launch control system. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes and an Active Sound Design system, enhancing the driving experience. It featured significant improvements in steering, brakes, and suspension, providing a responsive and engaging drive, especially on winding roads. Despite being front-wheel drive, the Sonata N Line handled well, with minimal understeer and excellent suspension tuning. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 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 compared to rivals. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord or Mazda 6. The ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not outstanding, and the car did not provide much excitement on twisty roads.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered heated front sport seats with a balance of comfort and lateral support. The rear seats, while not significantly more spacious than those in the Elantra N Line, included rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's trunk volume was 453 litres, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Interior storage was generous, though the centre console design was somewhat inelegant.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 993 millimetres of rear legroom, though this was slightly less than some competitors. Front legroom and headroom were below average, and the driving position was uncomfortable for many. The Passat's trunk offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than the Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, and the door bottle holders were not well-designed for large bottles. However, the layout of controls was excellent, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, but lacked a WiFi hotspot. The infotainment system had some usability issues, such as the absence of a tuning knob and occasional accidental touch activation.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Execline model included navigation and a Fender premium audio system. The touchscreen was small but functional, with pinch-to-zoom capability. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like a digital cockpit or the newer MIB3 system, but its straightforward controls were user-friendly.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. It also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and Safe Exit Warning. The standard Sonata received high safety ratings, but the N Line had not been independently tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in IIHS crash tests, though its headlights were rated "marginal." Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Execline model added lane-keep assist and lane departure warning. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.