2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2019 Mazda MAZDA3

Small cars aren't asked to do much beyond the basics: provide efficient, reliable transportation at a manageable price. Plenty of models fit this form, and in some rare cases, they manage to do it while also being fun to drive, like the Mazda3. In other cases, the vehicle manages to feel more upscale than the competition, like the Honda Civic. But the Volkswagen Jetta's legacy has historically been defined by its ability to offer both an upscale interior and a rewarding driving experience.

But then something happened with the Jetta. Starting with the 2011 model year, Volkswagen attempted to broaden the Jetta's appeal, and until 2018 we were left with a drab interior, an underpowered engine, and an uninspiring driving experience. VW’s hallmark was always that its cars felt a little special, so by adopting a homogenous look and feel, VW removed what made the Jetta unique and desirable to its fans.

So Volkswagen had some work to do with the new seventh-generation 2019 Jetta. Will this new car move the Jetta name back toward driving refinement and upscale feel? Or will it continue to disappoint as just another bland entrant among small cars?

The compact-car market has come a long way from the days of the dreaded “economy car.” And yet many new compact cars, such as the Honda Civic or Toyota's new 2020 Corolla, still fit a reasonable budget. You no longer have to choose between value and quality. Among a crowd of good, budget-conscious vehicles, the all-new 2019 Mazda3 excels.

The Mazda3 arrived in 2003, and driving dynamics have always been key to its DNA. But it was the third-generation Mazda3, produced from 2014 through 2018, that really started to showcase the aspirational nature of the Mazda brand. If the third-generation Mazda3 set the canvas for the company's upscale agenda, the fourth-gen 2019 Mazda3 is its masterstroke.