2022 BMW 2 Series vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year, following a significant facelift in 2020. This update marked the first major design change for the sedan in nearly a decade. Volkswagen maintained the basic body shell but altered every panel except the roof, resulting in a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta sedan. This gave the Passat a more understated appearance compared to its more radically styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth, rounded-off corners contributed to its aerodynamic efficiency, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and an Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) on Execline models.

Inside, the Passat's interior design was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls rather than large digital screens. The dashboard was short and low, enhancing forward visibility, while a low beltline improved side visibility. However, some buyers might have found the interior a bit plain, with silver-coloured plastic trim and leatherette upholstery. Despite this, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's market positioning as a value option. The only questionable design choice was the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which seemed out of place in a non-sporty car.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series introduced a new exterior design, avoiding the aggressive front fascia seen in other BMW models. In Canada, it was available in the all-wheel-drive M240i xDrive Coupe form, with the rear-wheel-drive version not offered. The 2 Series Coupe featured an extended wheelbase, making it longer, wider, and lower than its predecessor. The design included a wider kidney grille, upright triangular front air curtains, flared fenders, and reshaped headlights and taillights, giving it a leaner, aerodynamic appearance. The M240i xDrive Coupe had performance-oriented styling, with shadowy M-type accents and 19-inch M light alloys.

Inside, the 2 Series Coupe had a straightforward, driver-oriented interior with standard perforated SensaTec synthetic upholstery and optional Vernasca leather. Sport seats provided premium comfort, and the updated interior featured a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, tri-zone automatic climate control, and ambient lighting. The M240i xDrive Coupe showcased the distinctive BMW M sub-brand colour scheme, and the interior exuded a high-end vibe with mixed material finishes. However, some penny-pinching plastics were present, particularly in the iDrive controller and air vents.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat was equipped with 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. While the horsepower was slightly below average compared to rivals, the torque output was impressive, providing enough power to spin the wheels when pulling away from a stop. However, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, requiring the use of Sport mode or manual gear selection for better acceleration. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe packed a punch with its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine, producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The M240i xDrive could accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in just 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of up to 250 kilometres per hour. The eight-speed Sport automatic transmission offered smooth shifts, and the turbo-six engine delivered a grunty exhaust note. The M240i xDrive Coupe came standard with performance features like an aerodynamic kit, adaptive M suspension, and M Sport brakes, providing balanced and refined handling. However, the driving experience felt disconnected, with numb steering feel and a lack of engagement for enthusiasts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered generous rear legroom at 993 millimetres, although it was slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. This came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat provided 450 litres of cargo space, more than some competitors but less than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. However, the layout of controls was well-designed, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe was compact, with rear seats suitable for children or short trips. The slanted roofline and Hofmeister-kinked rear window limited rear headroom, and the trunk lid was shorter, affecting cargo loading. The 2 Series offered 283 litres of cargo space, with 40/20/40-split fold-down rear seats for added flexibility. The interior featured soft touch points and improved ergonomics, with updated multifunction buttons on the leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. The lower console area had a layout similar to other new BMW models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, featuring a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Execline models included built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity functions. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls made basic functions easy to use. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and newer MIB3 infotainment system.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series boasted a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 5.1-inch driver information display, with BMW Live Cockpit Plus and iDrive 7 operating system. It offered over-the-air updates, cloud-based navigation, and real-time traffic updates. Connectivity features included two USB ports, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The instrument panel could be upgraded to a 12.3-inch fully digital display. The 2 Series also offered remote features like the BMW Digital Key and a 10-speaker Hi-Fi sound system, with an optional Harman Kardon 14-speaker system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, 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 grade added lane-keep assist and lane departure warning. VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System were also standard.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series came with a suite of driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and speed limit information. Standard features included a rearview camera, park distance control, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included adaptive front LED headlights and BMW Drive Recorder, which recorded driving footage before and after a collision. The 2 Series had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.