Episode 7: Volkswagen Passat vs Subaru Legacy

In this episode, it’s Volkswagen Passat vs Subaru Legacy… The Germans vs. The Japanese. Why did Eli drive to Canada and back in 1 day? What is Symmetrical AWD? Did Adolf Hitler actually invent Volkswagen? Listen to this week The Pit Stop Podcast hosts Eli and Jonny to find out…

In this episode, Eli and Jonny argue the Volkswagen Passat vs Subaru Legacy, The Germans vs The Japanese. Jonny started the podcast explaining how he damaged his car in the snow this week and now he must get it fixed. Eli recalled how he had to drive his mom to Canada and back in 1 day and fell asleep behind the wheel in Staten Island. Subaru started out as an Aircraft Company called Nakajima, and they manufactured airplanes and engines throughout WW2. Today it’s called Subaru Corporation, and they still manufacture airplanes for the Japanese government today. Plus since 1968 they also produce Subaru Cars. And from 1980 to 2018 the Subaru Rally Team Japan raced in many World Rally Championships. Adolf Hitler created Volkswagen on May 28, 1937, it was known as “the people’s car”. After the war was over, the allies took over Volkswagen and reopened the factories, and controlled it to help the German government.

The Subaru Legacy starting price is $22,895, whereas the Volkswagen is approximately $1000 less. Plus the Volkswagen is FWD whereas the Subaru features Symmetrical AWD which distributes the power from the wheels that have the solid grip to the wheel that is slipping at all times like for example in the snow but also works in rain and even in dry conditions. All 4 wheels are driven at all times. The system doesn’t wait for the slippage to happen and then redirects power to those wheels like other automakers (Slip and grip systems). Other companies like your Volkswagen, disconnect the front or rear axle when the extra traction isn’t needed or when it isn’t sensed like if you are not slipping all over the road. The reason other companies do this is to improve fuel economy, but Subaru cares more about safety which is why they have True AWD.

Eli then states the 1 feature he doesn’t appreciate on the Subaru is they come with 17-inch steel rims with hubcaps, which seems cheap, but the Volkswagen comes with 17 inches Alloy Rims. Jonny starts to explain why the Volkswagen is a safe car because in the event of an accident the Volkswagen unlocks the doors automatically, the fuel pump closes and shuts off, it features a crumple zone, the hazard lights turn on automatically among other safety features that activate after an accident occurs. And then, Jonny stated the Volkswagen has a feature where you can have remote access to the car from your phone but only to check the gas levels, see if the car door is locked, and flash your lights from the phone. Eli believed that feature was “stupid” because you can check the gas level when you are driving the car and there is no need to see it later.

Then Eli highlighted the safety features of the Subaru Legacy and stated Subaru has a cult following especially with their other models like the WRX STI. And to further prove his point, Eli mentioned Zach Galifianakis from The Hangover has a Subaru Outback. Warren Buffet has been seen driving a Subaru Outback. In 2019, Post Malone bought a Subaru WRX in Salt Lake City, Utah. And Ken Block, who is a Professional Rally Driver, co-Founder of DC Shoes, and an interesting human being who has a documentary called Gymkhana Files on Youtube and Amazon, which I recommend people check out, he had a Subaru WRX STI which they gave him for free and basically sponsored him. Ken Block knows more about cars than me and you ever will, and he wouldn’t take that car if it wasn’t amazing.

Then Jonny mentions the famous people who have Volkswagens which are Hugh Jackman from Les Miserable and X-Men had a custom Volkswagen Bus, Chris Pratt from Star-Lord, and Parks and Rec has a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle. Justin Timberlake from NSYNC had a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta and Jennifer Lawrence from Hunger Games has a Volkswagen EOS. And to finish it off, Eli tried to find the one accessory/customization option Volkswagen offered he could “shit on” but was unsuccessful because Volkswagen doesn’t offer customers that many options for accessories/custom options.

Ultimately they take it to the poll on TikTok where they find out it ’s a Tie at 50% for Volkswagen Passat and 50% for Subaru Legacy.