2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Mazda MAZDA3

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 Mazda MAZDA3 offered both sedan and hatchback body styles, with the hatchback featuring a unique, curvaceous silhouette. The sedan, while more traditional, still looked special with its sculpted side profile and blacked-out mesh front grille. Inside, the Mazda3 embraced simplicity and minimalism, with a cockpit-style feel and high-quality materials. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, providing a sports car-like driving position. However, the rear seat was a bit tight on legroom, and the large transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback. The trunk space was also on the smaller side for the segment.

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 and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This transmission managed power well, providing smooth acceleration both from a standstill and at higher speeds. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a blend of smooth and sporty handling. The ride quality was refined yet soft, making it comfortable over rough roads. Both the manual and automatic transmissions returned an impressive 30 miles per gallon city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. This was an improvement over the previous generation's 2.0-liter engine. However, the new Mazda3's torsion beam rear suspension, a cost-cutting measure, resulted in a less sophisticated ride compared to the previous multi-link setup. While the steering remained precise and there was little body roll through corners, the ride could be jostling over potholes. The Mazda3 offered a six-speed manual transmission, but only in the front-wheel-drive hatchback model with the preferred or premium package. Most models came with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable even on long trips, and despite a slight reduction in legroom, both front and rear-seat space remained adequate. The trunk space decreased to 14.1 cubic feet from the previous 15.7 cubic feet, but it was still average for the class. VW made the cabin more functional by moving the touchscreen above the front climate vents and repositioning the shifter, making the touchscreen easier to use and increasing the center tray's size. The layout blended touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, emphasizing practicality.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan measured 183.5 inches in length with a 107.3-inch wheelbase, while the hatchback was more compact at 175.6 inches. The interior provided plenty of room for the driver, with supportive front seats and high-quality materials. However, the rear seat was tight on legroom, and the large transmission hump in the rear middle seat was a drawback. The sedan's trunk offered 13.2 cubic feet of cargo space, and the hatchback provided 20.1 cubic feet, both on the smaller side for the segment.

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 full-color digital display that could be personalized to show various information, including navigation.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 featured an 8.8-inch infotainment display positioned high on the dashboard, blending seamlessly into the design. However, Mazda eliminated touch functionality, opting for a rotary dial controller between the front seats to manage navigation and infotainment. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Sirius XM satellite radio were included. The new infotainment software was faster, with sharp graphics and a minimalist design. The head-up display (HUD) now reflected off the windshield, enhancing the premium feel.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta included 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 also featured adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 was labeled a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It offered advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and dynamic brake support. These features were increasingly common in mass-market vehicles but often optional in luxury segments.