2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2019 Toyota Prius

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, thanks to its slightly longer and wider dimensions. The new design featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, which added a dramatic flair to the Jetta's appearance. Inside, the cabin continued the angular design language, creating a spacious and attractive environment with a premium feel, despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The seats were notably comfortable, making long drives pleasant.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Prius maintained its unconventional styling, which had always been a hallmark of the model. The fourth-generation Prius, introduced in 2016, continued to feature a boomerang-shaped profile and hatchback design. The interior was equally unique, with centralized controls and a digital instrumentation strip beneath the windshield. Despite its offbeat design, the Prius offered a functional and spacious cabin, with comfortable seating for four adults and ample cargo space, especially with the rear seats folded down.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by 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 for quick power delivery from a stop. The new 8-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous 6-speed, enhancing both power management and efficiency. The Jetta handled well at both low and high speeds, with precise steering and minimal body roll, offering a smooth yet sporty driving experience. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with both manual and automatic transmissions returning 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, generating a total of 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor, which powered the rear wheels up to 43 mph. The AWD-e system resulted in slightly lower fuel economy, with the Prius AWD-e achieving 50 mpg combined, compared to 52 mpg for the standard FWD model. The Prius featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered a smooth and quiet ride, especially in urban environments. The car's aerodynamic design and modest tires contributed to its overall efficiency and pleasant driving dynamics.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat space despite a slight reduction in legroom. Trunk space decreased from 15.7 to 14.1 cubic feet, but remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen positioned above the climate vents and the shifter moved back for easier access. The blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials enhanced usability, making the Jetta a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2019 Toyota Prius provided comfortable seating for four adults, with manual height adjustment for the driver's seat and heated front seats. Rear passengers enjoyed good thigh support and legroom, though air conditioning vents were absent in the second row. The Prius's hatchback design offered substantial cargo space, with up to 27.4 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 65.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The AWD-e model had slightly less cargo space but still offered ample room for luggage and gear.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims, such as the SEL and SEL Premium, included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable 10.25-inch digital display that could project navigation and other information. This feature added a high-tech feel to the Jetta's interior, making it a standout in its class.

The 2019 Toyota Prius, however, limited its most advanced infotainment system to the Limited trim, which included an 11.6-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a premium JBL sound system. The standard infotainment setup in lower trims featured a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a CD player. The Prius lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was a significant drawback compared to the Jetta. The Advanced Technology Package added a head-up display and adaptive headlights but fell short of expectations.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta included a full array of airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist features 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 also offered adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2019 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assist. The Prius received a 5-star rating in federal crash tests and a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.