2020 Volkswagen Passat: Top alternatives

The year 2020 brought with itself the new 2020 Volkswagen Passat for the Malaysian masses as Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) launched the D-segment sedan in the country in January 2020. On offer in a single variant, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat price tag reads RM 189,012, and the solitary trim goes by the name 2.0 TSI Elegance. On the outside, the invigorated German sedan feautres LED headlights with updated graphics, LED DRLs cum turn-signals, taillamps with three L-shaped graphics, and 18-inch Liverpool multi-spoke alloys. The interior of the Passat is, without a doubt, the place to be in thanks to the presence of three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, keyless entry with push-button start/stop, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Also, the new Passat specs sheet showcases a large 9.2-inch touchscreen Discover Pro infotainment system with Wireless AppConnect system that includes Apple CarPlay, eight speakers, and reverse camera. The power on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is produced by a 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI petrol engine capable of generating 190 PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 320 Nm. It is then a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox that sends the power to the wheels.

There is no question regarding the safety quotient of the D-segment German sedan as it features six SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, side assist blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring system, and others high-end safety features. With that said in praise of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, is it the perfect car in its segment? Or shall you check out its competitors before making your final decision? We'd say, yes, you must have a look at other offerings that are up for grabs as well.

So, what all cars are good alternatives to the 2020 Volkswagen Passat?

Toyota Camry

After starting its journey in 1979 as the Toyota Celica Camry, the Japanese sedan has gone on to become one of the more successful models for Toyota across the planet. Currently, the eighth-generation Toyota Camry is offered in Malaysia in a single 2.5V variant, which is priced at RM 196,888. Speaking of the equipment on board, the Camry flaunts a stylish exterior propped with wide blacked-out grille, LED lighting all-around, rain-sensing wipers, chrome door handles, huge 18-inch alloy wheels, and different finishes including Platinum White Pearl Mica, Silver Metallic, Graphite Metallic, Burning Black, and Red Mica.

The inside of the Toyota Camry specs sheet is equipped with a four-spoke multifunction steering wheel, colored MID screen, cruise control, keyless entry with push-button start/stop, leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, and many other creature comforts. Powering the Toyota Camry is the 2AR-FE four-cylinder in-line 16-valve DOHC with dual VVT-I and ACIS engine that produces 184 PS and 234 Nm. The wheels receive power via a 6-speed automatic gearbox that features Super ECT & Sequential Shifter. The Toyota Camry is one safe car thanks to the Toyota Safety Sense that brings along Pre-collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Automatic High Beam (AHB) on top standard features such as SRS airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, and others.

2020 Honda Accord

Ever since the launch of the 2020 Volkswagen Passat, Honda has wanted to up the ante. And now, the Japanese automaker has, at last, thrown in its professional in the battlefield in the form of the all-new tenth-generation Accord. The new Accord has it all to allure the masses thanks to LED headlamps with DRLs, LED fog lamps, wrap-around LED taillamps, sweeping roofline, 17- or 18-inch five-spoke alloys, and various paint schemes such as Platinum White Pearl, Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, and Crystal Black Pearl. Hop inside the Honda Accord, and you are greeted by leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, keyless entry and start, and an 8-inch Advanced Display head unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, ten speakers, and a subwoofer.

Under the hood of the new Honda Accord is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder V-TEC turbocharged petrol engine that makes 201 PS and 260 Nm. This engine comes mated to an Earth Dreams CVT that transfers power to the front wheels. As like the Toyota Camry, the new Honda Accord specs sheet also gets a high-end safety system in the form of Honda Sensing. Present on the Accord are six SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability assist, forward-collision warning, collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, 360-degree camera, smart parking assist, and many more safety features. The sedan is available in two variants, 1.5 TC and 1.5 TC-P, which are priced at RM 185,900 and RM 195,900, respectively.

Mazda6

The last mention in the top alternatives to the 2020 Volkswagen Passat is the Mazda 6 sedan. Following the launch of a facelifted model last year, the Mazda 6 is now offered on four different models, 2.0L, 2.5L, 2.5L Touring, and 2.2L Diesel. As for the price, the Mazda 6 price for the four trims is RM 173,659, RM 211,148, RM 215,148, and RM 219,851, respectively. The Mazda 6 sedan follows the automaker’s KODO Design language and vaunts a stylish, sensual, and jaw-dropping exterior that incorporates slim LED headlights & fog lamps, chrome window surround, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED taillamps, and much more. On the inside, the Japanese sedan gets an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with MZD Connect system, multi-function Commander Control switchgear, leather upholstery, Bose sound system, electronic parking brake, and a head-up display among others.

There are three engine options available on the Mazda 6 including a 2.0-litre petrol-fed engine that makes 162 hp and 213 Nm, a 2.5-litre petrol-fed motor with 192 hp and 258 Nm, and a 2.2-litre diesel-powered engine with 188 hp and 450 Nm. All three engines are coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Regarding the safety of the occupants, the sedan comes equipped with ample safety features like six SRS airbags, ABS with EBD, dynamic stability control, traction control, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and many others.

So, does the 2020 Volkswagen Passat feature enough arsenal to entice you, or did you like any of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, or the Mazda 6 sedan more? Moreover, is there another sedan on your mind apart from these four that could give them all a tough fight?

Also Read: 2020 Volkswagen Passat - Things we like