2019 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale and dramatic appearance compared to its predecessor. It was slightly longer and wider, with a wheelbase that extended a bit more, giving it a more refined presence. The new design featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, which added a touch of sophistication to the compact sedan. Inside, the Jetta continued the angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional. The interior offered a premium feel with comfortable seats suitable for long drives, despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The Jetta came in various trims, with the base S trim surprisingly well-equipped, including features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, while not initially praised for its exterior design, offered a more appealing look in the SE or XSE trims, especially with the Celestite paint color. The Corolla's interior quality saw significant improvements, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the previous generation's hard plastics. However, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of its economy car status. The Corolla started at a base price of $19,600, with options to upgrade to sportier trims like the SE or XSE, which offered more power and stylish 18-inch wheels. The Corolla also provided a hybrid version for those seeking maximum fuel economy. Despite some interior comfort issues, such as the lack of rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports, the Corolla's cabin was generally comfortable, with a decent amount of space for passengers and cargo.

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 slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This transmission replaced the previous 6-speed automatic, offering better power management and efficiency. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, providing a smooth and sporty driving experience. It handled both city and highway driving with ease, offering a refined yet soft ride. Fuel economy was impressive, with both manual and automatic transmissions returning 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered different engine options depending on the trim. The L, LE, and XLE trims came with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, with a more sophisticated CVT and paddle shifters. The Corolla's driving dynamics were well-tuned, with a smooth and stable ride thanks to its independent rear suspension. However, the XSE trim struggled with acceleration, lacking a turbocharger to enhance its performance. The CVT performed unobtrusively during commutes, but the powertrain wasn't ready for more dynamic driving. Fuel economy for the XSE was rated at 31 mpg city, 38 highway, and 34 combined, though real-world testing showed slightly lower results.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, even on long trips, with adequate rear-seat space despite a slight reduction in legroom. Trunk space was reduced to 14.1 cubic feet but remained average for the class. The cabin layout was practical, with the touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easier access. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, emphasizing practicality and functionality.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, provided a roomy interior for a compact sedan. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports was a drawback, especially during hot weather. The front seats were comfortable, with the driver's seat offering 8-way power adjustment. The back seat was also comfortable, though taller passengers might find headroom limited. Storage space was a concern, with limited bins and small cupholders. The trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of space, accommodating several pieces of luggage.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims like the SEL and SEL Premium included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel. This feature allowed drivers to project navigation and other information onto a 10.25-inch screen.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay available but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen and familiar controls. All versions included Amazon Alexa compatibility, Siri Eyes Free, and several trial services. Higher trims offered additional features like advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, and a JBL premium sound system. However, for Android users, the lack of Android Auto was a limitation.

The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a full array of airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Driver-assist systems like blind-spot monitoring and forward-collision avoidance were standard on most trims, with additional features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist available on higher trims.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, a suite of active driver-assistance systems. This included low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system generally operated with refinement, though the lane-departure warning alert was considered irritating. The Corolla received a 5-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.