2022 Hyundai Sonata 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 Passat 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 rounded-off corners evoked the aerodynamic efficiency of the jellybean sedans of the 1990s, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. However, this didn't translate into significantly improved fuel efficiency. 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. This approach enhanced forward and side visibility, avoiding the bunker-like feel of many modern cars. 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 such an un-sporty car.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, in contrast, showcased a more distinctive and bold design. Over the years, Hyundai had evolved the Sonata from a mimic of the Honda Accord into a car with its own flair and personality. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for 2020, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. While the design was subjective, it certainly stood out. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five. The Limited trim featured comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery colour was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black accents, and N badging, transforming its appearance from mild to wild. The N Line's interior featured dark chrome trim, red stitching, and unique N-brand sport seats, adding personality to the cabin.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat 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. 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. On the highway, ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of powertrains, catering to different driving preferences. The base engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, providing a quiet and unassuming driving experience. The Sport and Luxury trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the 1.6-litre turbo. The Sonata N Line, however, was the standout performer, boasting a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension. This setup delivered a thrilling driving experience, appealing to those seeking excitement. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option available. The Sonata provided a smooth ride, competent handling, and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable choice for both city and highway driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered 993 millimetres of rear legroom, which was slightly less than competitors like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. This spaciousness came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. Front headroom was also limited compared to other midsize sedans. The driving position was uncomfortable, with limited front legroom and seats lacking thigh support. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat's trunk offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than some rivals 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 Passat excelled in control layout, featuring big buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the class, while shoulder room was average. Rear-seat space was adequate for two adults, but a third passenger might find it cramped. The Sonata's trunk offered 453 litres of space, accommodating a three-piece set of rolling luggage with room to spare. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button, making tight parking spots more manageable.

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. Execline models added built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity functions. The touchscreen was small by modern standards but included pinch-to-zoom capability. The Passat's tech features were basic, lacking the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and newer MIB3 infotainment system found in other VW models. However, the straightforward approach with analog controls appealed to those seeking simplicity.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of infotainment options based on trim level. Base SE versions came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB port, and a rear-view camera. The Sport grade added SiriusXM satellite radio and BlueLink connected services. N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and wireless charging. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was seamless, and the Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality. The Sonata's infotainment system provided excellent value, offering advanced features at a competitive price.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published crash-test ratings for the 2021 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. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive package of safety features, even on the base trim. Standard features included forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rearview monitor, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Highway Driving Assist and a blind-spot view monitor were standard on N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave it top "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The Sonata received a "Superior" rating for front crash prevention and an "Acceptable" rating for child-seat anchors.