Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2015 Volkswagen Passat VS 2015 Toyota Camry Near Scottsdale, AZ

Compared to metal, the Passat’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Toyota Camry has a metal gas tank.

Both the Passat and the Camry 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

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

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

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 1.8T’s reliability will be 11% better than the Camry with the best reliability rating.

The Passat 1.8T’s standard 1.8 turbo 4 cyl. produces 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (184 vs. 170) than the Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl. The Passat V6’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 12 more horsepower (280 vs. 268) and 10 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 248) than the Camry XSE/XLE’s optional 3.5 DOHC V6.

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo diesel produces 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 170) than the Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Passat V6 is faster than the Camry V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Passat TDI gets better fuel mileage than the Camry 4 cyl. (30 city/42 hwy vs. 25 city/35 hwy).

The Passat has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry (18.5 vs. 17 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Passat stops much shorter than the Camry:

For better traction, the Passat has larger standard tires than the Camry (215/55R17 vs. 205/65R16). The Passat’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Camry (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R18).

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 Camry LE’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 Camry (110.4 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

The Passat SE handles at .83 G’s, while the Camry XLE pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Passat SE goes through AutoWeek’s slalom 2.3 MPH faster than the Camry SE (43.3 vs. 40.96 MPH).

The Passat SEL executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Camry XLE (26.9 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .54 average G’s).

The Passat has .8 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Camry.

The Passat has a larger trunk than the Camry (15.9 vs. 15.4 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Passat offers cargo security. The Camry’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

The Passat SEL has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Camry doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the Passat SEL, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Camry doesn’t offer a memory system.

The power windows standard on both the Passat and the Camry 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 Camry prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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 Camry’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Camry 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 Camry doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its December 2012 issue and they ranked the Volkswagen Passat SE first. They ranked the Toyota Camry XLE fifth.

Motor Trend selected the Passat as their 2012 Car of the Year. The Camry was Car of the Year in 2007.