Acura vs Volkswagen: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura vs Volkswagen Reliability

You may have heard so much about Acura and Volkswagen vehicles. The use of fewer advanced tech features in Volkswagen vehicles, good performance, and comfort are just a few things to admire about these cars.

Moreover, it is believed that the less tech-savvy a car is, the more reliable it becomes. But is this so? Acura and Volkswagen, which is more reliable?

After careful analysis, study, and driving cars from these models, we'll love to inform you that Acura is more reliable than Volkswagen.

Acura has many advantages over Volkswagen like cheaper repair and maintenance costs, better engineering principles, and higher build quality. With an Acura, you have fewer chances of visiting the repair shop, fewer problems to deal with, and getting the peace of mind that you deserve.

Volkswagen doesn't produce entirely shitty cars. There are some great things about them, factors that they beat Acura at.

Here's a detailed comparison of the Acura vs. Volkswagen reliability.

Acura vs. Volkswagen Reliability: A Detailed Comparison

FeaturesAcuraVolkswagen
Design
Precision-crafted performance, sporty and aggressive
Mobility and technology, practical and functional
Engine and Performance
Good
Good, might be a bit problematic
Safety
High Safety Ratings
Higher Safety Ratings
Gas Mileage
Good
Fair
Repair and Maintenance Cost
Cheap
Costly
Durability
Volkswagens last between 100,000 to 200,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 7 to 13 years.
Acura cars can last up to 250,000 to 300,000 miles, with an average lifespan of 16 to 20 years.
Technology
Good
Less tech-savvy

Acura vs. Volkswagen Reliability: Which Is Better?

Acura is better than Volkswagen when it comes to reliability. According to RepairPal, Acura beats Volkswagen with a reliability rating of 4.0/5.0, ranking 2nd out of 32 car brands. On the other hand, Volkswagen ranks 12th out of 32 car brands with a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0.

Acura continues to beat Volkswagen on all Reliability surveys except for JD Power's dependability survey. According to Consumer Reports, Acura ranks 8th while Volkswagen takes the 22nd position.

However, Volkswagen takes a few steps ahead of Acura in the 2022 JD Power Dependability survey. To give you a better understanding of the reliability of these brands, we need to compare their features and factors that impact their reliability.

There are a lot of reasons why Acura beats Volkswagen in terms of reliability, one of which is the provision of enough tech. Volkswagen is usually known as a less tech-savvy brand, which impacts its models' infotainment and overall tech offering.

Aside from the Tech offerings, Acura offers better gas mileage. This implies that you will spend less on gas.

Repair and maintenance costs are cheaper, and there's an improved engineering design on Acura than Volkswagen. Warranty coverage is longer on Acura vehicles, and you are assured of better durability.

With Acura, you are getting a standard warranty coverage of a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty while Volkswagen's warranty coverage offers a warranty coverage of 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Irrespective of the downsides of Volkswagen, you must understand that Volkswagen doesn't make bad vehicles. Volkswagen has higher safety ratings than Acura.

Acura vs. Volkswagen Reliability: Design

Acura and Volkswagen have different design philosophies, and this impacts how good their designs are. Volkswagen adopts a design philosophy that embodies a design philosophy, making mobile and Technology accessible to many drivers.

The Volkswagen brand has seen a lot of evolution in its design, from the focus on mobility to the integration of new technologies. However, there have been a lot of complaints about how poor Volkswagen's engineering principles are.

This sees the use of poor metals that are prone to damage, contributing to the reliability issues of the Volkswagen brand. On the other hand, Acura is a product of Honda, so the reliability of their designs is never in doubt.

Acura adopts a design philosophy that revolves around precision-crafted performance. This design philosophy prioritizes form and function to enhance efficiency, radiate beauty, and support dynamic performance.

To achieve this, Acura considers approach, highlights, materials, precise lines, muscular appearance, and contours to produce elegant designs that give a good definition of class and style.

With the sharp lines, large wheels, and bold grilles, you have the assurance that your Acura vehicle will last a long time with minimal need for repairs.

Volkswagen maintains a simple design strategy, conservative styling, and a minimalist approach. The Volkswagen brand doesn't seem to put in extra effort in producing cars that stand out.

Moreover, Acura has superior build quality and better engineering principles, which makes them last longer than Volkswagen vehicles.

Winner: Acura

Acura vs. Volkswagen Reliability: Engine and Performance

Acura beats Volkswagen with better engines and advanced performance. This is visible in the power, gas mileage, durability, and overall performance of these engines.

With Acura, you are getting a range of V6 or turbocharged four-cylinder engines. These engines are powerful and offer smooth acceleration.

This is without fail to mention the precision that Acura's all-wheel-drive system makes driving better and ensures high-level stability and traction for all weather conditions.

Volkswagen isn't left out. You are getting four-cylinder and V6 engines. The performance and acceleration are quite powerful. However, the power and gas mileage is better on Acura.

To get a better understanding of Acura and Volkswagen engines, let's compare what's obtainable on their different models.

Comparing the 2023 Acura RDX and the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas, you are getting a 272 HP base 2.0L 4-cylinder engine on the Acura, while the Volkswagen Atlas offers a 235hp for a similar 4-cylinder engine.

Although Volkswagen offers AWD systems, Acura applies a different technology to its AWD system, with the use of Super Handling AWD (SH-AWD).

The greater concern for Volkswagen vehicles is how problematic they've been over the years. Irrespective of how well the brand has tried to improve its systems, we can't neglect the fact that it battled with reliability issues for so long.

You'll need to be careful about the model and engine types that you choose.

Winner: Acura

Acura vs. Volkswagen Reliability: Gas Mileage

When it comes to gas mileage, Acura wins over Volkswagen. There are more Acura vehicles with superb fuel efficiency than Volkswagen.

For instance, the 2022 Acura ILX sedan has an EPA rating of 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway beating the 2022 Volkswagen Golf R, which gets 23 MPG in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

The Acura RDX SUV also beats the Volkswagen Atlas with better gas mileage. With the 2023 Acura RDX, you are getting a gas mileage of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

Conversely, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas only offers 21 mpg for the city and 25 mpg on the highway. You will spend less on gas driving an Acura than you will do with a Volkswagen.

A few good Volkswagen vehicles have impressive fuel-efficient systems, like the Volkswagen Passat sedan and the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The 2022 Volkswagen Passat has an EPA rating of 24 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, while the Volkswagen Tiguan SUV boasts 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

These numbers are good, but when directly compared to Acura models of their class and category, they are not a reliable option. Volkswagen Jetta and Taos are some of the most fuel-efficient Volkswagen vehicles that you can consider.

Winner: Acura

Acura vs. Volkswagen Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Cost

It is relatively cheaper to repair and maintain an Acura than a Volkswagen. According to RepairPal, you are getting an annual average repair cost of $501 for Acura and $676 for Volkswagen.

With Acura, you have a 0.4 chance of visiting a repair shop and an 8% chance of encountering severe damages.

Ranging from electrical problems to issues with fuel pumps, burning oil, and AC problems, you'll have a lot of problems to deal with on Volkswagen vehicles than on Acura's.

The increased warranty coverage of Acura vehicles

Winner: Acura

Acura vs. Volkswagen Reliability: Safety and Technology

Volkswagen takes the lead against Acura when it comes to safety and technology.

Volkswagen has six vehicles earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick (+) Award, compared to Acura, which has only four.

Irrespective of the drop in safety ratings of the Acura as compared to Volkswagen, it is important to cite that there are a lot of amazing features in Acura vehicles that you can rely on for your safety, just as you will on Volkswagen.

Ranging from collision mitigation braking system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive headlights are just some of the driver assistance systems you can expect.

These systems and features vary across the different models of both brands, as well as their trim levels. However, the higher safety ratings of Volkswagen give it an edge over Acura.

Moreover, Volkswagen vehicles have a 5-star overall safety rating

Winner: Volkswagen 

Conclusion

The choice between Acura and Volkswagen is an easy one. Acura is more reliable than Volkswagen, but you might need to consider the safety ratings and features of the model that you wish to buy.

You are getting better build quality, superb engines, better fuel efficiency, and engine performance from Acura vehicles. The overall cost of ownership is cheaper on Acura than on Volkswagen. This is without forgetting to mention the higher warranty that Acura offers.

However, irrespective of these, the choice is yours to make, depending on your needs and preferences.