2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Toyota Camry

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, giving it a more dramatic look. Inside, the cabin continued the angular design language, creating a spacious and attractive environment with functional elements. 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 Toyota Camry, on the other hand, aimed to reclaim its reputation for quality and reliability with a renewed attention to detail. The styling was more expressive, with a bold front fascia and taut lines. Inside, the materials were uniformly nice, and the driver-focused dashboard made even the lower trims feel upscale. The TRD model added sporty red trim accents, while higher trims featured leather and wood, reinforcing the idea that a top-of-the-line Camry could rival an entry-level Lexus.

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. The Jetta handled well at both low and high speeds, with fantastic steering that struck a balance between smooth and sporty. Both the manual and automatic transmissions returned 30 miles per gallon city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered three distinct powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with FWD or AWD, and a 3.5-liter V6 with FWD. The V6 produced 301 horsepower and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, making it a smooth and powerful choice for luxury aspirations. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder, with 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim), was lighter and made the sporty XSE trim fun to drive. The AWD system, available with the 2.5-liter engine, improved traction without significantly impacting fuel economy. The front-drive Camry achieved 31 mpg combined, while the AWD version managed 28 mpg.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable for long trips, and despite a slight reduction in legroom, the rear-seat space remained adequate. Trunk space decreased to 14.1 cubic feet but was still average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen moved above the climate vents and the shifter repositioned for better usability. The blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials made the Jetta highly functional.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was easy to drive, with most controls falling immediately to hand. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room, but the rear seat had less legroom compared to competitors. The trunk space was 15.1 cubic feet, smaller than some rivals. The addition of AWD did not compromise the trunk or passenger space, thanks to modifications in the floor structure and fuel tank.

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 information.

The 2020 Toyota Camry added Android Auto to its standard features, along with Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The standard infotainment system felt dated, but the touchscreen was functional and quick to respond. Higher trims offered a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist features like blind-spot monitoring 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 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense, including emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was also included. Blind-spot monitoring was optional. The Camry received a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. There was one recall for leaking engine coolant affecting some 2.5-liter models.