The Passat Wolfsburg/SE/SEL has standard Car-Net, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The 300 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.
Both the Passat and the 300 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Chrysler 300:
Passat |
300 |
|
Driver |
||
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Neck Injury Risk |
22% |
25% |
Neck Stress |
218 lbs. |
288 lbs. |
Neck Compression |
9 lbs. |
14 lbs. |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
52/418 lbs. |
642/477 lbs. |
Passenger |
||
STARS |
5 Stars |
4 Stars |
Chest Compression |
.5 inches |
.7 inches |
Neck Injury Risk |
30% |
37% |
Leg Forces (l/r) |
52/27 lbs. |
415/345 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Chrysler 300:
Passat |
300 |
|
Front Seat |
||
STARS |
4 Stars |
3 Stars |
HIC |
160 |
236 |
Chest Movement |
1.4 inches |
1.4 inches |
Abdominal Force |
221 G’s |
315 G’s |
Into Pole |
||
STARS |
5 Stars |
5 Stars |
Spine Acceleration |
44 G’s |
47 G’s |
Hip Force |
671 lbs. |
910 lbs. |
New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.
For its top level performance in the IIHS moderate overlap frontal impact, side impact, rear impact, roof-crush crash tests, and an “Acceptable” rating in the newer small overlap frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Passat as a “Top Pick” for 2014. The 300 has not been fully tested, yet.
The Passat’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the 300’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).
Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passat for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chrysler doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 300.
The Volkswagen Passat’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the 300’s 3.6 DOHC V6 engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.
For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Passat have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the 300.
As tested in Motor Trend the Passat V6 is faster than the Chrysler 300 V8 (automatics tested):
Passat |
300 |
|
Zero to 60 MPH |
5.7 sec |
5.8 sec |
On the EPA test cycle the Passat TDI Auto gets better fuel mileage than the 300 V6 RWD (30 city/40 hwy vs. 19 city/31 hwy).
The Passat stops shorter than the 300:
Passat |
300 |
||
70 to 0 MPH |
169 feet |
175 feet |
Car and Driver |
60 to 0 MPH |
132 feet |
137 feet |
Consumer Reports |
60 to 0 MPH (Wet) |
140 feet |
143 feet |
Consumer Reports |
The Passat S’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 300’s standard 65 series tires.
The Passat SE handles at .84 G’s, while the 300 pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.
For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the 300’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.9 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the 300 AWD’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.9 feet).
The Volkswagen Passat may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1000 pounds less than the Chrysler 300.
The Passat is 7 inches shorter than the 300, making the Passat easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
The design of the Volkswagen Passat amounts to more than styling. The Passat has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the 300 (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Passat get better fuel mileage.
As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Passat SE is quieter than the 300S:
Passat |
300 |
|
At idle |
39 dB |
39 dB |
Full-Throttle |
73 dB |
80 dB |
70 MPH Cruising |
69 dB |
69 dB |
A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Passat easier. The Passat’s trunk lift-over height is 28.2 inches, while the 300’s liftover is 30.1 inches.
With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Passat offers cargo security. The 300’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.
Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Passat SE/SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The 300 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.
Bluetooth wireless connectivity is standard on the Passat, connecting the driver and passenger’s cell phones to the vehicle systems. This allows them to use the vehicle’s stereo and hand controls to place calls safely and easily. Bluetooth costs extra on the 300.
Insurance will cost less for the Passat owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Passat will cost $125 to $2305 less than the 300 over a five-year period.
According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the 300 because it costs $189 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the 300, including $105 less for an alternator and $712 less for a power steering pump.
Intellichoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Passat will be $8951 to $13340 less than for the Chrysler 300.
The Volkswagen Passat has won recognition from these important consumer publications:
Passat |
300 |
|
Consumer Reports® Recommends |
TRUE |
Top Pick |
Car Book “Best Bet” |
TRUE |
FALSE |
J.D. Power and Associates rated the Passat first among midsize cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The 300 was rated third in its category.
Motor Trend selected the Passat as their 2012 Car of the Year. The 300 was Car of the Year in 2005.
The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Chrysler 300 by 90% during 2013.
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