2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor. It was slightly longer and wider, with a wheelbase that was also extended. The new design featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, giving it a more dramatic look. Inside, the cabin continued the angular design language, creating a spacious and attractive environment. The seats were comfortable, making long drives pleasant. The base S trim came well-equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and taillights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 was one of the best-looking cars on the market, available as both a sedan and a hatchback. The hatchback, in particular, turned heads with its clean panel design and sports-car-like taillights. Inside, the Mazda3's interior was luxurious, with a dramatic look and seamless integration of technology. The driver and front passenger sat low and leaned back, enhancing the sporty feel. The 8.8-inch screen running the MazdaConnect infotainment system was well-integrated into the dash. The base hatchback trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than the previous model, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with smooth and sporty steering. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with both manual and automatic transmissions returning 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 came with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 186 horsepower. It was available with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The SkyActiv-G engine provided responsive acceleration and athletic handling. The most efficient version was the FWD automatic sedan with the Premium package, returning 27 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined. The AWD hatchback was the least efficient, returning 24/32/27. In a week of combined driving, the test model achieved 28.2 mpg.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable for long trips, and both front and rear legroom were adequate despite being slightly reduced. Trunk space was 14.1 cubic feet, down from the previous 15.7 cubic feet but still average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen moved above the front climate vents and the shifter repositioned for better usability. The blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials made the Jetta highly functional.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan offered 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 47.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The low and leaned-back seating position was sporty but made getting in and out more challenging. Rear-seat space was tight, especially for taller passengers. The center console had a deep tray and a center bin, but the design of the center armrest/console cover was less user-friendly.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL and SEL Premium trims included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a full-color digital display that could be personalized to show various information, including navigation.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch screen running the MazdaConnect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system was entirely remote-controlled, which some users might find less intuitive. The test model included a head-up display and a fully digital center panel in the instrument cluster, offering excellent graphics and functionality.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims and optional on the base S. The SEL and SEL Premium trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 hatchback came standard with Mazda’s i-Activsense suite, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and driver-attention alerts. However, these features were not standard on the base sedan trim. The hatchback's large C-pillars created significant blind spots, and the auto-engage system for the parking brake was not intuitive.