2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a descendant of the original 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI, continued to define the hot hatch genre with its seventh-generation model. This compact hatchback, available in three-door or five-door configurations, featured enhanced performance elements such as souped-up engines, sporty suspensions, and special wheels. The 2021 model, marking the end of the seventh generation, showcased subtle yet significant enhancements over the regular Golf, including red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers. The GTI's lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and gloss black accents further emphasized its sporty appeal.

Inside, the GTI built upon the already impressive Golf interior with sporty touches like red ambient lighting, a black headliner, and a race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel with red stitching. The instrument cluster was unique to the GTI, and the heated front sport seats came in Clark plaid cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. The overall quality of the GTI's interior and exterior was top-notch, with high-quality materials and meticulous installation.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat Limited Edition, commemorating the model's final year, stood out with its exclusive features and limited production run of 1,973 units. Priced at $31,570, this special edition included unique 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, and special badges. The Limited Edition was the only Passat available in Racing Green, alongside other colors like white, gray, and red. The interior featured Mauro Brown leather upholstery, fake wood trim, and special seat tags, adding a touch of exclusivity.

Despite its age, the Passat's design remained upscale and well-preserved, thanks to a refresh in 2020. However, the interior was a mix of high-quality leather and outdated plastics, with a 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that felt small and archaic. The Passat's cabin, though spacious and comfortable, showed signs of its aging architecture, with impacts reverberating through the car and inconsistent brake pedal feel. Nevertheless, the Passat offered a quiet highway ride and traditional German handling traits on twisty roads.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was all about performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GTI's handling was a major attraction, with four-wheel independent suspension, DCC adaptive damping, and variable-ratio steering. The Autobahn model, in particular, offered a rough ride on ordinary roads but excelled on the right road or track. The GTI's turbocharged engine, paired with a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission or a six-speed manual, delivered a spirited driving experience. Fuel economy was respectable, with the GTI achieving 23-24 mpg city and 30-32 mpg highway, depending on the transmission.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generated 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the Passat's powertrain felt underwhelming during passing maneuvers or quick acceleration. The six-speed automatic transmission prioritized fuel efficiency, resulting in a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg, with observed figures reaching 30.7 mpg. The Passat's ride quality was generally smooth, but it could feel jittery on city streets and cheap over potholes. Despite its sedate behavior, the Passat revealed traditional German handling traits on twisty roads, offering a flat cornering attitude and accurate steering.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in form and function, with its compact hatchback design offering practicality and versatility. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase and dimensions of 168.0 inches long, 70.8 inches wide, and 57.8 inches tall, the GTI provided 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The GTI's tight turning circle of 35.8 feet and excellent outward visibility made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Inside, clever storage options, including large front door pockets and grippy cupholders, added to the GTI's practicality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat boasted a spacious cabin, accommodating five adults comfortably with ample legroom and dual-zone climate control. The Limited Edition's front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, but the inability to adjust the bottom cushion angle affected comfort. The rear seats, however, provided excellent leg support and comfort, with air conditioning vents and USB ports for added convenience. The Passat's 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space, though not class-leading, was adequate for most needs. However, the lack of underfloor trays or side bins required securing items to prevent them from sliding around.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a standard analog gauge cluster, with a configurable driver information screen filling the gap between the speedometer and tachometer. The GTI's infotainment system, VW MIB, came in two versions: MIB2 with a 6.5-inch screen for S models and MIB3 with an 8-inch screen and navigation for SE and Autobahn models. The MIB touchscreens supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink, with Bluetooth and USB ports for connectivity. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional features like Remote Access, Safe & Secure, and Hotspot portals, with Alexa integration for added convenience. Standard smart technology included LED lighting, keyless access, rain-sensing wipers, and heated mirrors.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat's infotainment system, though less sophisticated than other VW models, included standard App-Connect smartphone connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth. The R-Line and Limited Edition trims added HD Radio, navigation, and a Fender premium audio system. The voice recognition system worked well for simple commands but struggled with more complex ones. The Fender audio system, known for its clarity and range, was a standout feature in the Passat.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the small overlap front passenger side test and a "Poor" rating for the base Halogen headlights. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and multiple airbags. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, park distance control, park assist, and high-beam control.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat SE included standard forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control. The R-Line trim added automatic high-beam headlights, while the Limited Edition featured adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and park-assist. The IIHS gave the Passat "Good" ratings in all crash tests and for the top-trim headlights. However, the NHTSA awarded the Passat a four-star overall rating, with a three-star rating for frontal-impact collision protection.