The 2012 VW Passat and 2012 Hyundai Sonata both represent great values in new midsize cars. Both the Passat and Sonata offer the comfort, functionality and style of a midsize car with under $20,000 starting prices. The 2012 VW Passat starts at $19,995 while the 2012 Sonata starts at $19,695. With prices so close, it might be hard for buyers to choose between these cars.

The 2012 VW Passat

The 2012 VW Passat is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine in the base model that makes 170-hp and 177 lb-ft of torque and is rated at 22-mpg city and 32-mpg highway with a five-speed manual transmission Highway mileage drops by 1 to 31-mpg with an automatic transmission. The Passat is also offered with a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine that is rated at 31-mpg city and 43-mpg highway with 140-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque with a stick shift, 30-city and 40-highway with an automatic. The top of the line Passat gets a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 280-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The V6 Passat only comes with an automatic transmission and is rated at 20-mpg city and 28-mpg highway. The 2012 Hyundai Sonata is available with either a 198-hp, 184 lb-ft of torque 2.4-liter four cylinder rated at 24-mpg city and 35-mpg highway with either a manual transmission or an automatic, or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 274-hp and 269 lb-ft of torque rated at 22-mpg city and 34-mpg highway. The turbo Sonata only comes with an automatic transmission.

The 2012 Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata is a bit roomier inside than the Passat, with 40 inches of front head room to the Passat’s 38.3 and 45.5 inches of front leg room to the Passat’s 42.4. Rear head room is the same in the Passat and the Sonata at 37.8 inches. The Passat has more rear leg room with 39.1 inches compared to the Sonata’s 34.6 inches. The Sonata gets an extra half of a cubic foot of trunk space 16.4 cubic feet to the Passat’s 15.9.