2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that began in 2017, moving away from the sharper lines of its predecessor to embrace the "sensual purity" theme. This design philosophy, introduced by Mercedes' chief designer Gorden Wagener, was evident in the car's fluid and curvier forms, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The 2021 update brought a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. Despite these changes, the E-Class maintained its elegant and handsome appearance across its various body styles, including sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible. The interior was a luxurious haven, featuring rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre accents, with intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The dual 12-inch screens provided a modern touch, and the new steering wheels with touch-sensitive controls added to the car's advanced feel.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the 2020 facelift, which was the first major update in nearly a decade. The Passat's design was understated, aligning with the smaller Jetta sedan and offering a more conservative look compared to its rivals like the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry. Its aerodynamic shape, reminiscent of 1990s sedans, contributed to a drag coefficient of 0.28, although this didn't significantly enhance fuel efficiency. The interior followed a clean and functional design approach, with analog controls and a short dashboard for improved visibility. While the materials were not luxurious, the fit and finish were commendable, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option. The flat-bottomed steering wheel was a curious choice for a non-sporty car, but overall, the Passat's interior was practical and straightforward.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced significant changes under the hood, particularly with the E450 model transitioning to a hybrid powertrain. This model featured a 3.0-litre inline-six engine with a 48-volt electrical system, providing an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief moments. This setup allowed for smoother engine restarts and improved fuel efficiency, although the performance felt similar to the previous V6. The E450 produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with the AMG E53 variant adding a second turbo for a total of 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivered a staggering 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, making it a true performance machine. Despite the impressive power figures, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, thanks to its advanced suspension systems and all-wheel-drive capabilities.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre 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, with the latter figure being more impressive than the horsepower. While the Passat's power delivery was adequate for everyday driving, it lacked the excitement and responsiveness found in some of its competitors. The driving experience was unremarkable, with the Passat neither excelling in sportiness nor comfort. However, it provided a smooth ride on highways, albeit without the dynamic handling characteristics of rivals like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious and luxurious cabin, accommodating four adults comfortably. The interior featured ample headroom and legroom, with supportive cushions and thoughtful design elements like knee cutouts and a scalloped roof. The E-Class sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon variant offered up to 1,820 litres with the seats folded. The coupe and convertible models had less cargo space, but the wagon's stowable rear-facing jump seat added versatility. Despite its high price, the E-Class lacked some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats, but its overall design and functionality were impressive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat emphasized rear-seat space, offering 993 millimetres of legroom, although this came at the expense of front legroom and headroom. The driving position was uncomfortable for some, with limited thigh support and a cramped feel for taller drivers. The Passat's cargo space was competitive at 450 litres, surpassing some rivals but falling short of others like the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, and the door bottle holders were not well-designed for larger bottles. However, the Passat excelled in control layout, with large buttons and knobs within easy reach, making it user-friendly for drivers who preferred simplicity over high-tech features.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, which allowed for touch interaction and offered a more organized interface. The system included gesture controls, natural voice processing, and a live feed from the front camera for navigation assistance. While the system lacked over-the-air updates and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, it offered a range of features like massaging seats and seat kinetics. The instrument cluster was highly customizable, allowing drivers to choose between traditional and modern displays. The E-Class also included advanced driver-assistance features, although full autonomy was not yet available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came equipped with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Execline trim added navigation and a premium audio system. While the touchscreen was small, the Passat's use of physical controls for basic functions was practical for everyday use. The Passat lacked some of the more advanced tech features found in other VW models, such as the Digital Cockpit and MIB3 system, but it offered a straightforward and user-friendly experience for those who preferred simplicity.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly rated for safety, with the sedan and wagon models receiving a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. The E-Class featured innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

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