Volkswagen Passat vs Chrysler 300 03/29/2011
Drivers in the market for a midrange sedan can typically expect to pay just north of $25,000. This pricing segment offers a wide range of different models, so we compared two - the Volkswagen Passat and Chrysler 300 - in order to determine which was the better value.
The Passat retails for $27,195, which is only $25 more expensive than the Chrysler 300. Chrysler offers the better warranty at 5 years/100,000 miles, while Volkswagen's pledge lasts for the same amount of years but just 60,000 miles.
Chrysler's new 300 clearly takes the cake in terms of performance. With a V6 engine in the base model, the car produces 292 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which flat out beats the Passat's base model four-cylinder 200 horserpower and 207 lb-ft. That said, the 300 does lose out in 4 mpgs of fuel economy on both city and highway.
The 300 has a number of standard interior features that cement its near-luxury status, like dual climate control and keyless ignition. The Passat offers heated seats, but every other standard feature is shared by both models.
Unfortunately for Volkswagen, this contest is over as soon as the hood is popped. Paying $25 less for two extra cylinders is the very definition of value, giving the 300 the win.