Passat Comparison

The Volkswagen Passat may be a mid-sized sedan on the outside, but it offers plenty of room on the inside. It is also the only mid-sized sedan with a TDI Clean Diesel available. These two superlatives just only scratch the surface on what the Passat offers. If one phrase would describe the Passat in a nutshell – it is German Engineering.

Is the Passat the right mid-sized family sedan to own? Perhaps a comparison would suffice here. We put the Passat up against the Toyota Camry and the Hyundai Sonata to find out.

 Volkswagen Passat S 1.8TToyota CamryHyundai Sonata

Engine (Standard)

1.8Liter turbocharged I-4 – 170HP2.5Liter I-4 – 178HP2.4Liter I-4 - 185HP

Combined Fuel Economy

29 MPG28 MPG29 MPG

Curb Weight

3230 lbs.3240 lbs.3252 lbs.

Rear Sear Room (Head/Leg/Hip/Shoulder in inches)

37.8/39.1/NA/57.038.0/38.9/54.5/56.638.0/45.5/56.1/56.5

Cargo Space

15.9 cu. Ft.15.4 cu. Ft.16.3 cu. Ft.

Base Price

$21,340$22,970$21,150

There are some clear advantages the Passat has just by looking at the numbers. However, they only tell part of the story. The Passat offers a lot for the money, including Car-Net connected services, the option of Fender Premium Audio and a comfortable space to stretch out over miles of road. To further stretch out those miles – it is worth repeating that the Passat offers the only TDI Clean Diesel in its class, for a 795 mile range on a full tank of gas.

Shopping for a mid-sized family sedan? Try one that is safe – a IIHS Top Pick + for 2014 – and efficient. Try a Passat for size.