Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 Volkswagen Passat VS 2015 Honda Accord Near Scottsdale, AZ

The Passat Wolfsburg/SE/SEL has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Passat and the Accord Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Honda Accord Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Honda Accord Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Passat’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Accord Sedan’s (12 vs. 5 years).

The Volkswagen Passat’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Accord Sedan’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Passat has a standard 570-amp battery (640 V6/diesel). The Accord Sedan’s 550-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without their vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports predicts that the Volkswagen Passat 2.5’s reliability will be 6% better than the Accord Sedan with the best reliability rating.

The Passat has more powerful engines than the Accord Sedan:

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo diesel produces 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 181) than the Accord Sedan’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The Passat’s 2.0 turbo diesel produces 54 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 182) than the Accord Sedan Sport’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Passat V6 3.6 DOHC V6 is faster than the Accord Sedan Sport 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Passat TDI gets better fuel mileage than the Accord Sedan:

On the EPA test cycle the Passat 1.8T Manual gets better fuel mileage than the Accord Sedan Manual with its standard engine (24 city/35 hwy vs. 24 city/34 hwy).

The Passat has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Sedan (18.5 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Passat’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord Sedan:

The Passat stops much shorter than the Accord Sedan:

For better traction, the Passat has larger standard tires than the Accord Sedan (215/55R17 vs. 205/65R16).

The Passat S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Accord Sedan LX’s standard 65 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Passat’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the Accord Sedan (110.4 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

The Passat SE handles at .83 G’s, while the Accord Sedan EX-L pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Passat SE goes through AutoWeek’s slalom faster than the Accord Sedan EX-L (43.3 vs. 42.4 MPH).

The Passat SEL executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Accord Sedan EX-L (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Accord Sedan’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Accord Sedan Sport’s (36.4 feet vs. 39.6 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Passat SEL is quieter than the Accord Sedan EX-L (40 vs. 43 dB).

The Passat has .3 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Accord Sedan.

The Passat’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord Sedan’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The power windows standard on both the Passat and the Accord Sedan have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Passat is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Accord Sedan prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Passat’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord Sedan’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Accord Sedan EX/EX-L/Touring’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

The Passat SEL’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Accord Sedan’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Passat SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Passat SEL has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Accord Sedan doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Insurance will cost less for the Passat owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Passat with a number “3” insurance rate while the Accord Sedan is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the Accord Sedan because it costs $333 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Passat than the Accord Sedan, including $69 less for a starter and $31 less for a power steering pump.

The Volkswagen Passat has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2012 issue and the Volkswagen Passat SE won out over the Honda Accord Sedan EX-L.

Motor Trend selected the Passat as their 2012 Car of the Year. The Accord was Import Car of the Year in 1994.