2016 Volkswagen Passat vs. 2016 Audi A4

Hailing from the same country and even the same parent company, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat and the 2016 Audi A4 would appear to have more than a few passing similarities. However, as is the case with most things, the true value of a car is more than skin deep.

When looking at these two choices, the VW Passat emerges as the more distinctive automobile, catering to the sensibilities of the American market. This is more than a casual assertion since Volkswagen decided to design and manufacture a VW Passat just for the American market, built right here in the US in Chattanooga, TN.

Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, and Turnersville drivers can read on to find out more about these two cars, then they can visit Prestige Volkswagen for a test drive to feel the perfect match of a 2016 Volkswagen Passat for themselves.

Exterior

After a few face-freshening updates, the 2016 VW Passat looks better than it ever has. The make's trademark domed roof is less pronounced, while the side panels seem more solid and weighty. The result is a confident-looking car that appears amazing from nearly any angle.

VW spent most of their design efforts retooling the front fascia and grille, creating a signature look for the North American VW Passat with a handsome chrome bar that frames the front headlights and grille.

The 2016 Audi A4 is a great looker as well, but it suffers from a bit of bloat by nearly every dimension. The large, sloping front end culminates in a rounded fascia that feels a bit excessively long for the vehicle's sole engine choice of a four cylinder. A crisper side profile and attractive rear deck styling make up for some of these shortcomings, but the understated tail lights could be doing more to add interesting geometry to the back view.

Performance

The VW Passat's standard 1.8 four-cylinder turbo carries on the tradition of spirited VW turbo engines that offer seemingly unending torque on tap. With nary a hint of turbo lag, you would never guess that the engine makes a relatively modest 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Nimble, light handling and excellent ride comfort overall create an enjoyable and engaging experience for any type of driver.

An available 3.6-liter VR-6 engine good for 280 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque really provides the push that the VW Passat needs to feel on par with lauded German performance vehicles past.

The Audi A4 packs a lot of technology under its hood to give its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four an impressive 220 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of twist, but these numbers don't translate into the exciting experience one would expect. Instead, the significant turbo lag seems to have trouble launching the vehicle at lower RPMs. In the higher range, power improves but at the expense of handling.

The standard continuously variable transmission isn't doing the powertrain any favors either in terms of performance, but the much-improved eight-speed automatic is tragically only available on quattro all-wheel drive models.

Interior

With a roomy backseat and a clean but efficient interior, the 2016 Volkswagen Passat hits all the right comfort and convenience notes.

Slightly more upscale, the 2016 Audi A4's interior nevertheless disappoints with a tighter entry squeeze and an overly complicated dash setup. The luxurious leather seats are a high note, but a lack of features considered standard like using a wireless connection to play music through your smartphone puts the vehicle short on expected creature comforts.

Verdict

The Audi A4 is an excellent vehicle, but the 2016 VW Passat is better suited to the needs of the American driver by its very design. Mount Laurel, Cherry Hill, and Turnersville drivers should come to Prestige Volkswagen in Turnersville, NJ, to test drive the 2016 Volkswagen Passat in person and see how tailored it is to their needs.