2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a slightly longer and wider profile compared to its predecessor, maintaining the same height. This gave it a more upscale presence, further enhanced by a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan. 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a rounded, smooth body reminiscent of the E-Class from two generations ago. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet, its design was versatile and conservative, fitting the unshowy nature of its buyers. The E-Class looked especially rich with the hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille on the sedan. The interior was sumptuous, with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by industrial elements like circular air vents and knurled silver toggles. The ambient lighting offered 64 colors, creating a delightful and customizable environment.

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 a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with smooth and sporty steering. The ride was soft over rough roads, offering a refined yet comfortable experience. Both manual and automatic transmissions returned 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of engines. The E350 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The E450 upgraded to a 3.0-liter V6 with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. AMG models included the E53 with a hybrid V6 producing 429 horsepower and the E63 S with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 603 horsepower. The E-Class provided a smooth and cushy ride, with precise handling and various driving modes. Fuel economy ranged from 19 to 23 mpg city and 26 to 32 highway, depending on the powertrain and body style.

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 but 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 blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials made the Jetta highly functional.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system on its large screens, which were not touch-sensitive. The system required multiple steps for various functions, making it potentially distracting. However, the E-Class excelled in functionality with seat and climate controls on the door panels, ample space, and clear sightlines. The coupe had a usable rear seat, and the wagon included a rear-facing jump seat for children. The interior was luxurious, with high-res digital displays and thoughtful storage solutions.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable 10.25-inch digital display that could project navigation and other information.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted advanced tech, including a semi-automated driving system, V2X communication, and multi-contour seats. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional tech included the Driver Assistance Package with numerous driver-assist features, a Burmester stereo, and the Energizing Comfort Package, which adjusted climate and lighting to enhance the driving experience.

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 and forward-collision avoidance were standard on higher trims and optional on the base trim. The SEL and SEL Premium added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet were not tested but were expected to perform similarly. The E-Class featured innovative safety systems like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during a side collision. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.