2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Overview | |
MSRP$18,995 | MSRP$23,995 |
Listings130 | Listings43 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews8.0 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
2021 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews SummarySmall cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the seventh-generation Jetta, which launched in 2019. Does this car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or does it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? | |
2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryIn 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. A lot has changed since then: SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine1.4L 147 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City29 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway39 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name1.4L 147 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm | Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower147 hp @ 5000 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City29 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway39 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space14.1 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight2895 lbs | Curb Weight3314 lbs |
Height57.6 in | Height58.7 in |
Length185.1 in | Length193.6 in |
Width70.8 in | Width72.6 in |
Wheelbase105.7 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload937 lbs | Maximum Payload948 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $18,995 | $23,995 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 8.0 out of 10Read full review | 6.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | ||
Summary | Small cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience. But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans. So Volkswagen had some work to do with the seventh-generation Jetta, which launched in 2019. Does this car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or does it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars? | In 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. A lot has changed since then: SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 1.4L 147 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 29 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 39 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 1.4L 147 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower | 147 hp @ 5000 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 29 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 39 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 14.1 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 2895 lbs | 3314 lbs |
Height | 57.6 in | 58.7 in |
Length | 185.1 in | 193.6 in |
Width | 70.8 in | 72.6 in |
Wheelbase | 105.7 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 937 lbs | 948 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer and wider body, maintaining the same height. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. This was a departure from the previous generation's simpler design, aiming to bring a more premium aura to the Jetta. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design, offering a spacious and functional environment with comfortable seating suitable for long drives. The Jetta's trim levels—Comfortline, Highline, and Execline—offered a range of features, with the base Comfortline trim surprisingly well-equipped, including 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year's facelift, which gave it a more understated look compared to its rivals. The Passat's design was reminiscent of the 1990s jellybean sedans, focusing on aerodynamic efficiency with a drag coefficient of 0.28. The interior followed a clean and functional design approach, with analog controls and a low dashboard enhancing visibility. However, the interior materials were mostly plastic, with leatherette upholstery, and the driving position was noted as uncomfortable for some drivers. Despite these drawbacks, the Passat offered a spacious trunk and a well-laid-out control system, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing functionality over flashy features.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Jetta to perform well in both city and highway driving, with smooth acceleration and precise steering. The Jetta's ride quality was refined, offering a balance between comfort and handling, and its fuel efficiency was commendable, with a combined consumption of 6.9 L/100 km for the manual and 7.1 L/100 km for the automatic.
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat, on the other hand, featured a 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 output was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to competitors. The Passat's power delivery was uneven, particularly during highway overtakes, although switching to Sport mode improved responsiveness. The driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in some rivals. The Passat's ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional, making it a plain choice in the midsize sedan segment.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats and adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom, with a trunk space of 399 litres. The interior layout was practical, with a user-friendly touchscreen and a blend of real buttons and dials for controls. This focus on functionality made the Jetta a practical choice for those valuing ease of use.
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 993 millimetres of rear legroom, although front legroom and headroom were below average for the segment. The driving position was uncomfortable for some, with limited thigh support in the front seats and flat rear seats. The Passat offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than some competitors, but in-cabin storage was limited. The control layout was well-designed, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, and the analog gauges were easy to read.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that could project navigation information.
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Execline trim included built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Passat's tech features were basic, lacking the Digital Cockpit and newer MIB3 system found in other VW models.
The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline included advanced driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating from the IIHS, although its headlights were rated Marginal to Poor.
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the Passat. Standard safety features included 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.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 Volkswagen Passat scores 6.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Jetta is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of performance, practicality, and technology.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta if:
- You value a more responsive engine and smooth driving experience.
- You prefer a practical and user-friendly interior layout.
- You want a well-equipped base model with modern tech features.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Passat if:
- You need a midsize sedan with ample rear-seat legroom.
- You prioritize a straightforward control layout with analog gauges.
- You seek a practical vehicle with a spacious trunk.
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta is 8.0 out of 10, while the 2021 Volkswagen Passat scores 6.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Jetta is the recommended choice, offering a better balance of performance, practicality, and technology.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Jetta if:
Shop Now- You value a more responsive engine and smooth driving experience.
- You prefer a practical and user-friendly interior layout.
- You want a well-equipped base model with modern tech features.
Choose the 2021 Volkswagen Passat if:
Shop Now- You need a midsize sedan with ample rear-seat legroom.
- You prioritize a straightforward control layout with analog gauges.
- You seek a practical vehicle with a spacious trunk.
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.
