2021 Acura TLX vs 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan in a competitive segment. It featured an assertive stance with a steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler. The front grille, designed to look like it exploded from the Acura logo, was flanked by jewel-eye LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes and top-notch paint quality added to its premium look. Inside, the TLX boasted a “sport sedan cockpit” with authentic materials like metal, leather, and wood. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was neatly mounted, and the overall design had a good flow and visual interest.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, a long-time best-seller for VW, received a mild makeover. It featured subtle exterior updates, including a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille with more chrome. The rear bumper was more square, and LED lighting became standard. New wheel designs and metallic colors like Kings Red, Oryx White, and Rising Blue were added. Inside, the Jetta had subtle but appealing updates, including a new rhombus pattern on cloth seats and contrast stitching on all upholstery types. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard, with the SEL trim getting a 10-inch version.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It featured a drive-by-wire throttle system and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) available on all models. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 22 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models, and 21/29/24 combined for AWD. The TLX offered distinct driving personalities through its Integrated Dynamics System, with modes like Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The Advance package added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX felt solid and balanced, with 50% greater global torsional stiffness and up to 100% greater rigidity at the suspension mounts.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Transmission options included a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic. The Jetta’s fuel economy was impressive, with the stick-shift model estimated at 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic models had varying ratings: S and Sport at 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, while SE and SEL were rated at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. On a road trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg. The Jetta offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, but its powertrain had some drawbacks, including touchy throttle and turbo lag. The steering was accurate but lacked feedback, and the overall dynamics were tepid.

The 2021 Acura TLX’s shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined center console, featuring a control panel modeled after the NSX. The low-profile controls were easy to access, and paddle shifters were included on the steering wheel. The center console housed the infotainment interface, a mini touchpad, and two big cupholders. The rear seat was comfortable for two adults, with adequate head- and legroom. The front seats were supportive sport buckets with 12-way power adjustability and available perforated Milano leather. The second row folded down in a 60/40 split, providing access to the 13.5 cubic feet trunk.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults and could accommodate five. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for climate control, audio, and seat controls. Storage options included door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. The center storage bin, though not large, was usable. The front seats had a slightly inclined bottom cushion for thigh support, which might not suit shorter individuals. The Jetta’s ergonomics were well thought out, with driving-related controls in intuitive locations.

The 2021 Acura TLX was loaded with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control. The TLX also offered multiple ambient interior lighting themes and a new ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system. The infotainment system included Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Advance Package added a head-up display, G-Meter, and Turbo Boost Indicator.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received an upgrade in technology, with all models equipped with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The Jetta SEL got a 10.25-inch display with three views and more widgets. Standard infotainment included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with App-Connect, Bluetooth, and two USB-C ports. The Jetta SEL featured an 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless device charging, and premium Beats Audio sound. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not intuitive, often requiring manual input for accuracy.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with the AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, ultra-high-strength steel front door stiffener rings, a full complement of airbags, and a multi-angle rear-view camera system. The TLX also had a next-generation front-passenger airbag, pedestrian sensing, and autonomous emergency braking. Available safety features included rear cross-traffic alert and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured IQ.Drive, Volkswagen's driver-assistance tech suite. Standard on Jetta S and Sport were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while Emergency Assist monitored driver attentiveness. The full IQ.DRIVE safety list was standard on Jetta SE and SEL trims. The 2021 Jetta received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly “Good” grades from the IIHS.