- Why did Volkswagen cancel the Passat?
- Check out these Volkswagen Passat alternatives
- The 2022 Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan
- TrueCar calls the 2022 Hyundai Sonata a great value
- The 2022 Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan for every kind of driver
- The Nissan Altima is one of the brand’s bestselling models
- The midsize sedan segment offers plenty of Volkswagen Passat alternatives
German automaker Volkswagen has manufactured the Passat midsize sedan for decades. But the 2022 model year will be the final year of the Volkswagen Passat. For midsize sedan shoppers, that could come as bad news. However, there are plenty of Volkswagen Passat alternatives on the market today, including vehicles like the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.
Why did Volkswagen cancel the Passat?
Volkswagen Passat | Volkswagen
Volkswagen is canceling the Passat due to sales. In fact, Volkswagen reports that 24,396 models were sold in 2021. That’s up 6.2% from the prior year but less than half of what Volkswagen’s other sedan – the Jetta – sold in the same year.
Sales aren’t the only reason that the VW sedan is being discontinued. USA Today reports that the Volkswagen Passat has struggled in recent years. “The diesel version of the car was one of the vehicles that cheated on emissions standards in VW’s big scandal, leading to it being scrapped as part of a negotiated trade-in program,” USA Today reports.
As passenger car sales drop, more automakers are also expanding SUV and pickup options. “Cars now make up anywhere from 1 in 4 to 1 in 5 new-vehicle sales depending on the month, having fallen from about half a decade ago,” USA Today explained.
Volkswagen isn’t the only one to have killed off a sedan in its lineup, either. Several other small cars have been discontinued recently, including the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Fit, and Toyota Yaris.
As for the 2022 Volkswagen Passat? Volkswagen will make nearly 2,000 units in the U.S. for the final model year. The VW sedan’s discontinuation will make way for the all-electric ID.4 SUV to be made at the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Check out these Volkswagen Passat alternatives
The Passat midsize sedan has been a staple of the segment for years. In fact, TrueCar called it a “classic family sedan,” rating it the sixth-best midsize car of 2022. And while the Passat being canceled is disappointing, if you are looking for something similar, plenty of Volkswagen Passat alternatives are available.
The 2022 Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan
The Honda Accord is one of the most popular midsize sedans on the market. Honda reports it sold more than 202,000 units in the U.S. in 2021.
The base 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine gives the Accord similar power figures (192 horsepower, 192 lb-ft of torque) to the Volkswagen Passat (174 and 206.) At 33 combined miles per gallon (mpg), it’s much more fuel efficient than the Passat’s 28. And if cargo space is important? It has more of that as well. The Accord’s 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space beats the Passat’s 15.9.
TrueCar ranks the Accord ahead of the Passat, too, noting how fun it is to drive. Additionally, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and U.S. News & World Report agree the Accord is the best midsize car for 2022. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also named the 2022 Honda Accord a top safety pick+.
TrueCar calls the 2022 Hyundai Sonata a great value
Hyundai’s midsize sedan tops TrueCar’s list as the best midsize car for 2022. The base Sonata trim has slightly more horsepower (191) than the Passat but less torque (181 lb-ft). Like the Accord, the base Sonata’s powered by an inline four-cylinder engine. At 32 combined mpg, it also gets excellent fuel economy ratings. Standard safety features include forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assists.
TrueCar notes that the Accord is more fun to drive, but the Sonata represents a better value. Hyundai states that Sonata’s starting MSRP is $24,500. That’s $3,000 less than the Accord. It also has Hyundai’s impressive warranties: five years or 60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain, corrosion coverage for seven years at unlimited miles, and roadside assistance for five years at unlimited miles as well.
The Hyundai Sonata is a good alternative to the Volkswagen Passat if you’re looking for a great value and an outstanding car warranty.
The 2022 Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan for every kind of driver
The Toyota Camry is one of the most popular midsize sedans on the market. Under the hood of the base Camry is a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that gets a combined 32 mpg. With 13 total trim options, there’s something for every kind of driver.
Compared to the Passat, the base Toyota Camry model provides more power (203 horsepower to 174) but has less cargo room (15.1 cubic feet). It’s an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, too.
Additionally, U.S. News ranks the Camry behind the Accord in the best midsize cars of 2022. The all-wheel drive and V6 options are upsides for the Camry. But reviewers note the Accord drives better, has more cargo space, and has a premium cabin.
The Nissan Altima is one of the brand’s bestselling models
Nissan’s entry into the midsize sedan market, the Altima, is one of the car brand’s bestselling models. Like the Sonata and Camry, the Altima is powered by a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine that gets 32 combined mpg. The Altima is also close to the Sonata in power (188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque).
U.S. News puts the Altima sixth out of eight cars in its midsize car rankings. The fuel economy, cushioned ride, and available all-wheel drive are strong suits for the Altima. But U.S. News knocks the Altima for the interior quality and not being as fun to drive as others in the segment.
Reviewers note both the Camry and Accord are better options. The Camry has a better ride, more standard safety features, and a hybrid powertrain option. The Accord has a better cabin, more cargo room, stronger engines, and superior handling. Like the Accord and Camry, the Altima is a top safety pick+ from the IIHS.
The midsize sedan segment offers plenty of Volkswagen Passat alternatives
While the Volkswagen Passat has been canceled, the good news is that there are plenty of other worthwhile options on the market if you find yourself shopping for a midsize sedan. To determine which is the best option for you, we recommend hitting the road for a few test drives.
Keyword: These Volkswagen Passat Alternatives Will Help You Say Goodbye to VW’s Midsize Sedan