2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Acura TLX

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a slightly longer and wider profile compared to its predecessor, maintaining the same height but adding about an inch in width. This change, combined with a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, gave the Jetta a more upscale presence. The new design was far more dramatic than the previous generation's staid appearance, aiming to bring an upscale aura to the compact sedan. 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 impressively comfortable, suitable for long drives.

In contrast, the 2020 Acura TLX, especially with the A-Spec option package, offered a handsome yet somewhat anonymous design. The A-Spec package added visual upgrades like 19-inch wheels, revised bumpers, side sill skirts, and oversized exhaust outlets. The PMC Edition, hand-built in Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center, featured a dazzling Valencia Red Pearl paint and unique body-color and gloss black exterior accents. The interior of the TLX exuded quality with supple leather, heated and ventilated seats, and plenty of room for both front and rear passengers. However, the trunk space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, which is more in line with compact cars rather than midsize sedans.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came with a single engine option: a 1.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder 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 a new 8-speed automatic transmission. This transmission replaced the previous 6-speed automatic, offering better power management and efficiency. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with fantastic steering that struck a balance between smooth and sporty. The ride was soft over rough roads, and both manual and automatic transmissions returned 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Acura TLX PMC Edition featured the top-performing powertrain in the TLX lineup, with a 290-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission, and a torque-vectoring SH-AWD system. This drivetrain provided a steady build-up of power, with peak torque of 267 pound-feet arriving at 4,500 rpm. The SH-AWD system could direct up to 70% of engine output to a single rear wheel, enhancing the car's handling dynamics. The TLX offered a comfortable and quiet ride for daily driving, with firm but not too stiff suspension. On a testing loop, the TLX returned 23 mpg, matching the EPA's combined driving estimate.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable even on long trips, with adequate rear-seat space despite a slight reduction in legroom. Trunk space decreased to 14.1 cubic feet from the previous 15.7 cubic feet, but it remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen moved above the front climate vents and the shifter repositioned to allow for a larger center tray. The Jetta blended touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing practicality.

The 2020 Acura TLX offered a luxurious interior with high-quality materials, heated and ventilated front seats, and ample room for both front and rear passengers. Rear occupants benefited from air-conditioning vents and available heated seats. However, the trunk space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, which is small for a midsize sedan. Storage space within the cabin was generous in frequency but not in size.

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 like the SEL and SEL Premium included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable 10.25-inch digital display that could project navigation and other driver information.

The 2020 Acura TLX struggled with its dual-screen infotainment system. The top display was not a touchscreen, while the bottom display was, leading to confusion and frustration. The system included a mix of buttons and knobs, some of which were difficult to read. Despite these issues, the TLX featured a premium audio system, a smartphone charger, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came with a full array of 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 2020 Acura TLX, designed in the early 2010s, showed its age in safety ratings. It did not qualify for a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable rating in the small overlap frontal-impact test. However, it earned 5-star ratings in all NHTSA tests. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and road-departure mitigation. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was included on all but the base model. These systems, while effective, lacked the smoothness and sophistication of more modern vehicles.