2022 Lexus ES 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 same 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 rivals, such as the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's rounded-off corners evoked the aerodynamic efficiency of the jellybean sedans from the 1990s, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. However, this did not 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 screens. The dashboard was short and low, enhancing forward visibility, while a low beltline provided good side visibility. The flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in this un-sporty car. Some buyers might have found the interior plain, with silver-coloured plastic trim and leatherette upholstery. However, the fit and finish were excellent, and the material choices were appropriate for the Passat's value-oriented market positioning.

The 2022 Lexus ES, a staple in the Lexus lineup since its debut in 1990, had evolved over seven generations. Despite a decline in sales, it remained a popular choice among an aging demographic. The latest generation, launched in 2018, was built on the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, shared with models like the Lexus RX and Toyota Camry. This platform supported a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, with optional all-wheel drive. The ES featured elegant proportions and a sleek roofline, with the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille and assertive headlamp shapes. Standard 17-inch wheels could be upgraded to 18-inch or 19-inch options, with the 18-inch wheels offering the best balance.

Inside, the ES's interior was well-assembled, with an asymmetrical dashboard that gave the driver's side a cockpit feel. The F Sport package added bold two-tone leather seating, which seemed sportier than the rest of the car. A small analog chronometer was inset into the touchscreen housing, adding to the dash's clutter. The ES's interior was precise, with crisp, even gaps, but the overall design was not overwhelmingly luxurious.

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 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, with slower response during highway overtakes. Switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved this issue, but a manual transmission was not available. 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.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three models with distinct powertrains. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. The ES 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 307 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. The ES 250 AWD's engine was noisy under acceleration, but the car handled well and drove smoothly. The ES 350's V6 offered more engaging performance, while the ES 300h excelled in fuel economy.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 993 millimetres of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this 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 lack of thigh support in the front seats. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than the Toyota Camry and Subaru Legacy 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. The layout of controls was a highlight, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered 394 litres of cargo space, with a pass-through behind the centre armrest for long items. The second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 folded flat, providing additional space for larger items. The ES had a lower centre of gravity and ground clearance than its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX, contributing to better handling and fuel economy. Inside, the ES featured heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and available semi-aniline leather upholstery. A moonroof was standard, with a panoramic sunroof available. The ES's dash layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

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 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. Basic functions like climate control and audio could be controlled with dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and MIB3 infotainment system found in other VW models.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upper trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio, and navigation. The ES used a touchpad interface for infotainment, which was challenging to use on rough roads. A 10-inch head-up display was available on upper trims, providing critical information in the driver's line of sight. The ES also offered a Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist and auto braking. Lexus Enform connected services included Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote Connect.

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 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. VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System were also standard.

The 2022 Lexus ES earned the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign assist, Enhanced Lane-Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Standard blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags were also included. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided up to 10 years of emergency services.