2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Subaru WRX

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta had a slightly longer and wider body compared to its predecessor, giving it a more upscale presence. It featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, which added a dramatic flair to its design. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design, creating a cohesive and upscale feel. The interior was spacious and functional, with comfortable seats suitable for long drives. The base S trim came well-equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED head- and taillights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Subaru WRX, a performance variant of the Subaru Impreza, had a wider stance, a lower front splitter, and a rear deck spoiler, making it the most aggressively styled vehicle in Subaru's lineup. The STI version took it further with a large rear wing and additional aerodynamic components. Despite its racy exterior, the non-STI version could be a sleeper, surprising those unfamiliar with its performance capabilities. The WRX's cabin was straightforward and functional, with excellent visibility and a simple dash layout. The base trim included 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta featured 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 and minimal body roll. It offered a refined yet soft ride, and both the manual and automatic transmissions returned 30 miles per gallon city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to symmetrical all-wheel drive through a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The manual transmission provided a precise and smooth driving experience, while the CVT offered multiple drive modes and paddle shifters. The WRX excelled in cornering, with precise steering and minimal body lean. The WRX STI version featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, along with Brembo brakes and a stiffer suspension for even sharper handling.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable for long trips, and both front and rear legroom were adequate despite slight reductions. 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 for easier access. The Jetta blended touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, making it user-friendly.

The 2020 Subaru WRX offered excellent visibility with its simple sedan layout, large windshield, and slanted hood. The cabin featured a straightforward dash layout with easy-to-use controls and ample storage compartments. The first-row seating provided plenty of head- and legroom, while the rear seats were adequate for adults on short trips. The WRX's 12 cubic feet of cargo space was low compared to other compact sedans but similar to other performance cars.

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

The 2020 Subaru WRX featured a standard 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an available 7-inch screen. The Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The WRX also had a digital display in the instrument panel and an additional digital information screen atop the dash, providing key driver information in multiple locations.

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, 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 Subaru WRX came with front and side airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The optional EyeSight suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Other optional features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The WRX earned top marks from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.