Lincoln MKZ vs Volkswagen Passat
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2022 Volkswagen Passat
Overview
| Spec | Lincoln MKZBase | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Base | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2020 | 2022 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Lincoln MKZBase | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $36,750 | $27,575 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $6,014 (best) | $8,520 |
| Median listing price | $14,438 (best) | $15,347 |
| Highest listing price | $19,000 | $18,500 (best) |
| For sale now | 5 | 12 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Lincoln MKZBase | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 24 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 31 MPG | 36 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 16.5 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Lincoln MKZBase | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 245 hp (best) | 174 hp |
| Torque | 275 lb-ft (best) | 206 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Lincoln MKZBase | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.4 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,000 lbs (best) | — |
| Payload | — | 948 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,749 lbs | 3,314 lbs (best) |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in (best) | 110.4 in |
| Length | 193.9 in (best) | 193.6 in |
| Width | 73.4 in (best) | 72.6 in |
| Height | 58.1 in | 58.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Lincoln MKZBase | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 3 / 5 ★ | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Lincoln MKZ | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Base $36,750 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $27,575 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Base $38,750 MSRP | R-Line $29,575 MSRP |
| 3 | Hybrid Reserve $42,500 MSRP | Limited Edition $30,575 MSRP |
| 4 | Reserve $42,500 MSRP | — |
| 5 | Reserve $44,500 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Lincoln MKZ5 for sale
See all
Used2020 Lincoln MKZ
Reserve
White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat•Cappuccino70,338 mi$19,000Stateline Alfa Romeo
Fort Mill, SC
Used2008 Lincoln MKZ
4DR SDN FWD
103,488 mi$6,014Sunset Chevrolet
Sarasota, FL
Used2016 Lincoln MKZ
Base
White Platinum Clearcoat Metallic•Cappuccino84,313 mi$13,452Lexus of Highland Park
Highland Park, IL
Used2016 Lincoln MKZ
Base
Platinum Dune Metallic Tri-Coat•Cappuccino49,032 mi$14,438LeithCars.com
Raleigh, NC
Used2020 Lincoln MKZ
Standard FWD
Ceramic Pearl Metallic Tri-Coat•cappuccino73,746 mi$18,604Hyundai of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Volkswagen Passat12 for sale
See all
Certified2018 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T SE
Blue65,197 mi$14,797Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black80,468 mi$16,990Classic Volkswagen Gastonia
Gastonia, NC
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
V6 SEL Premium
DEEP BLACK PEARL•Titan Black99,428 mi$14,998Mazda Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2013 Volkswagen Passat
TDI SEL Premium
Candy White•Titan Black151,519 mi$8,520McCarthy Hyundai Blue Springs
Blue Springs, MO
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
1.8T S
Pure White•Black67,178 mi$11,221Paramount Volkswagen of Hickory
Hickory, NC
Used2015 Volkswagen Passat
2.0L TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav
119,018 mi$12,998INFINITI Greenville
Greenville, SC
Lincoln MKZ vs Volkswagen Passat FAQ
- Which is better: 2020 Lincoln MKZ or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2020 Lincoln MKZ vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2020 Lincoln MKZ or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat starts lower at $27,575. Live Lincoln MKZ listings start at $6,014. Live Volkswagen Passat listings start at $8,520.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2020 Lincoln MKZ or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2022 Volkswagen Passat leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (27,575).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2020 Lincoln MKZ or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2020 Lincoln MKZ leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (41).
- Which has better horsepower: 2020 Lincoln MKZ or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2020 Lincoln MKZ leads on horsepower in this comparison (245).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2020 Lincoln MKZ or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2020 Lincoln MKZ leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (1,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2020 Lincoln MKZ vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Lincoln MKZ (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Passat (4/5 NHTSA overall).