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Volkswagen Golf vs. Volkswagen Passat

When we compare the Volkswagen Golf to the Volkswagen Passat, the Volkswagen Golf has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, interior volume and overall quality score. The Volkswagen Passat has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf versus the Volkswagen Passat, the Volkswagen Golf is a better car than the Volkswagen Passat.

Volkswagen Golf versus Volkswagen Passat Pricing

A used 2021 Volkswagen Golf ranges from $19,644 to $27,260 while a used 2021 Volkswagen Passat is priced between $19,898 to $29,805.

Volkswagen Golf versus Volkswagen Passat Quality Rating

The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Volkswagen Golf is 8.7 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Passat's quality rating is 8.0 out of 10. This results in the Volkswagen Golf being ranked 5 out of 51 Best Small Cars and the Volkswagen Passat being ranked 10 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf’s base engine makes 147 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Passat base engine makes 174 horsepower. The Golf is rated to deliver an average of 33 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 515 miles. The Passat is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 666 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.

Passenger Space Comparison

The Volkswagen Golf, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room, and trunk space. The Volkswagen Passat, a midsize car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.

Safety Ratings Comparison

When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Golf has higher safety ratings than the Volkswagen Passat, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.75 out of 5 Stars.

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2021 Volkswagen Golf

2021 Volkswagen Passat

Pricing

New Asking Price:

-

Used Asking Price:

$19,644 - $27,260

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

40%

Pricing

New Asking Price:

-

Used Asking Price:

$19,898 - $29,805

5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):

48%

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.7 / 10

Reliability:

8.1 / 10

Retained Value:

8.0 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10

iSeeCars Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.0 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

6.9 / 10

Safety:

9.5 / 10

iSeeCars Rankings

3 / 12
4 / 51
5 / 51
5 / 51
13 / 51

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

28 / 51

iSeeCars Rankings

8 / 8
9 / 13
10 / 13
10 / 13
10 / 13

Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

11 / 13

Summary Review

Not yet available

Summary Review

Not yet available

Pros and Cons

Not yet available

Pros and Cons

Not yet available

Available Body Styles

Hatchback

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Trim Levels

TSI

Trim Levels

R-Line, S, SE

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain

4 years / 50000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4.75 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque:

184 foot-lbs @ 1400 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.050 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specifications

Horsepower:

174 hp @ 5200 rpm

Torque:

206 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.053 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

1.4 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Manual

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):

29 / 39 / 33

Range (city/hwy):

383 / 515 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):

24 / 36 / 28

Range (city/hwy):

444 / 666 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

N/A

Heated Seats:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Leather Upholstery:

Standard

Navigation System:

N/A

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Standard

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

N/A

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Heated Seats:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

N/A

Lane Departure Warning:

N/A

Lane Keeping Assist:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Safety Equipment

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Available

Lane Keeping Assist:

Available

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Rear Seat Reminder:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.4 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

55.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

38.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.6 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

53.9 inches

Cargo Space:

17.4 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

110.9 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.3 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.4 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.9 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

39.1 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

57 inches

Cargo Space:

15.9 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

102.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2945 lbs

Width:

70.8 inches

Height:

58.2 inches

Length:

167.6 inches

Wheelbase:

103.6 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.4 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3314 lbs

Width:

72.6 inches

Height:

58.7 inches

Length:

193.6 inches

Wheelbase:

110.4 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.4 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

alloy

Tire Size:

205/55R16

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

17.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

alloy

Tire Size:

215/55R17