2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, which had remained largely unchanged since its major facelift in 2014. Its old-school "three-box design" gave it a straightforward profile that was easy to recognize. The car's appearance was reminiscent of a bygone era, free from the retrofuturist influences seen in models like the Audi TT or Volkswagen Beetle. From the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, the Chrysler 300 maintained a dignified look that could turn heads at any valet stand.

The 2021 model featured bi-xenon halogen projector lamps with LED driving lamps on the lower trims, while the higher trims like the Touring L and 300S came with adaptive HID lamps. The grille options varied between black and chrome, depending on the package and trim. Wheel sizes ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered high-quality materials, including Nappa leather upholstery on the higher trims and heated front seats as standard on the top two trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, on the other hand, received a mild makeover that included an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, and improved infotainment. The Jetta's design changes were subtle, requiring a keen eye to notice. The front fascia, bumper, and grille were updated with more chrome, and the rear bumper was redesigned to be less squatty and more square. The Jetta's overall design remained purposeful yet bland, akin to a suitcase at baggage claim.

New wheel designs and metallic colors were introduced for each trim level, adding a touch of freshness to the seven-shade paint palette. The interior updates were equally subtle but appealing, featuring a new rhombus pattern on the standard cloth seats and contrast stitching across all upholstery types. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for essential controls conveniently located. The 2022 Jetta also came with an 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster as standard, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed but offered solid performance with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. This engine delivered 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L trims, while the 300S trim offered 300 hp and 264 lb-ft. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters available on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, and all-wheel drive was a $2,750 option, though not available on the 300S.

The 300 provided a comfortable and quiet ride, especially in the lower trims with rear-wheel drive and the V6 engine. The higher trims, like the AWD Touring L, offered a traditional luxury driving experience. The V8 power in the 300S was not as robust as the higher-displacement powertrains in its Dodge Charger sibling, but it still provided a fun driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came with a single engine option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, replacing the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four. This engine produced 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with transmission choices including a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with the manual transmission rated at 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic transmission models had slightly different ratings, with S and Sport trims achieving 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, while SE and SEL trims were rated at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

During an 800-mile road trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg, requiring only two fill-ups for the roughly 1,000-mile journey. The Jetta's cabin was comfortable for long drives, though not the quietest in its segment. The seats were well-cushioned and supportive, but the vehicle felt small amidst truck-heavy traffic. The Jetta's powertrain had some drawbacks, including a touchy throttle and turbo lag, making stop-and-go traffic a bit annoying. However, the eight-speed automatic performed well on the highway.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front seats and 40.1 inches in the back seats. This spaciousness rivaled entry-luxury sedans like the Lexus ES350 and Toyota Avalon. The 300 provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk volume was also strong, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough to accommodate about four large suitcases.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, provided ample passenger space for four adults and could accommodate five if needed. The seats were comfortable, though the front seats' bottom cushion had a slight incline that might not suit shorter individuals. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for essential controls conveniently located. There was usable storage space, including door pockets, a center console bin, and a slot next to the cupholders. The center storage bin, though not large, was functional, but the lack of a latch on the compartment cover was unusual.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across the lineup. This system was intuitive, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel-mounted controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. S, Sport, and SE models had an 8-inch display, while the Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The standard infotainment system in S, Sport, and SE trims was a 6.5-inch Volkswagen MIB2 system, with capacitive-touch sensors and smartphone-like operation. The Jetta SEL had the newer 8-inch MIB3 system, offering navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless device charging, and enhanced voice recognition. The SEL also included HD Radio, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a Car-Net Hotspot subscription, and a Plus Nav package. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not intuitive, often requiring manual input for accuracy.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but had a "Marginal" score in small overlap tests and a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall crash test rating, with five stars for the combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages, such as the $2,395 SafetyTec Plus Group, which added forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, Volkswagen's suite of driver-assistance tech. The Jetta S and Sport included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian recognition. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The full IQ.DRIVE safety list was standard on Jetta SE and SEL trims. The 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but the 2021 model had a five-star NHTSA rating and mostly "Good" IIHS grades, with lower scores for headlights and LATCH use.