Subaru WRX vs Volkswagen Passat
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2022 Volkswagen Passat
Overview
| Spec | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | WRX (Base) | SE |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 6-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2022 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $32,495 | $27,575 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $13,897 | $8,520 (best) |
| Median listing price | $27,379 | $15,493 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $40,979 | $18,500 (best) |
| For sale now | 29 (best) | 6 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 19 MPG | 24 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 26 MPG | 36 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 16.6 gal | 18.5 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 271 hp (best) | 174 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft (best) | 206 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.4 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | flat 4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 12.5 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 948 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | — | 3,314 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.4 in (best) | — |
| Wheelbase | 105.2 in | 110.4 in (best) |
| Length | 183.8 in | 193.6 in (best) |
| Width | 71.9 in | 72.6 in (best) |
| Height | 57.8 in | 58.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Subaru WRXWRX (Base) | Volkswagen PassatSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 3 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
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 | Subaru WRX | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WRX (Base) $32,495 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $27,575 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Premium $33,995 MSRP | R-Line $29,575 MSRP |
| 3 | Limited $38,995 MSRP | Limited Edition $30,575 MSRP |
| 4 | Limited $39,995 MSRP | — |
| 5 | GT $44,995 MSRP | — |
| 6 | tS $44,995 MSRP | — |
| 7 | Series.Yellow $45,995 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Subaru WRX29 for sale
See all
Used2019 Subaru WRX
Limited
Crystal Black Silica•Black/Carbon Black46,313 mi$24,985Seelye Select on 9th
Kalamazoo, MI
Used2018 Subaru WRX
STi
Lapis Blue Pearl•Black60,052 mi$25,995Carizona
Mesa, AZ
Used2015 Subaru WRX
WRX
Ice Silver Metallic•black117,814 mi$13,897Carizona
Mesa, AZ
Used2021 Subaru WRX
STi
Magnetite Gray Metallic•black49,608 mi$31,440Findlay Volvo Cars Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV
Used2021 Subaru WRX
STI Limited Sedan 4D
gray•black45,627 mi$39,497Daly City Mitsubishi
Daly City, CA
Used2023 Subaru WRX
BASE
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Carbon Black32,416 mi$25,922Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Volkswagen Passat6 for sale
See all
Used2020 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Deep Black Pearl•Titan Black80,468 mi$15,990Classic 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
Used2015 Volkswagen Passat
2.0L TDI SE w/Sunroof & Nav
119,018 mi$9,999INFINITI Greenville
Greenville, SC
Used2021 Volkswagen Passat
2.0T R-Line
Pure White•Titan Black69,648 mi$18,500Barry's Chevrolet
West Union, OH
Used2017 Volkswagen Passat
1.8T SEL Premium Turbocharged Power, Leather Seats, Sunroof!
Deep Black Pearl•Cornsilk Beige102,839 mi$15,988Auto Warehouse
Fort Collins, CO
Subaru WRX vs Volkswagen Passat FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Subaru WRX or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Subaru WRX 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: 2026 Subaru WRX or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2022 Volkswagen Passat starts lower at $27,575. Live Subaru WRX listings start at $13,897. Live Volkswagen Passat listings start at $8,520.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Subaru WRX or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2022 Volkswagen Passat leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (27,575).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Subaru WRX or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2022 Volkswagen Passat leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Subaru WRX or 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- The 2026 Subaru WRX leads on horsepower in this comparison (271).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Subaru WRX (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Passat (4/5 NHTSA overall).