2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, debuted in 2017 with a design shift from the sharper angles of the W212 to the fluid, curvier forms seen in the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, described this theme as "sensual purity." The 2021 model introduced a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. New bumpers with larger air intakes, new exhaust tips, and new wheels were the major changes, maintaining the car's handsome and elegant appearance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants.

However, the standing hood ornament on the sedans and wagons was discontinued, a classic Mercedes look that was part of the Luxury package. The Sport package, which replaced the hood ornament with a large star emblem in the grille, became more popular among buyers. The AMG models, with their vertical grille slats and quad exhaust tips, embraced a more dramatic look. Inside, the E-Class boasted a luxurious cabin with rich woods, aluminum, carbon fiber, and intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The 2021 model featured two 12-inch screens with a new digital instrument panel, making the interior feel modern and unmatched by any car at this price point.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen's best-selling vehicle for three decades, received a mild makeover for 2022. The updates included an engine upgrade, exterior styling tweaks, improved infotainment, more features, and a new Sport trim. The Jetta Sport replaced the outgoing R-Line model, and the SEL Premium trim was dropped, simplifying the lineup to four trims: S, Sport, SE, and SEL. The exterior changes were subtle, with a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille featuring more chrome. The rear bumper was less squatty and more square, with standard LED taillights. New wheel designs and metallic colors were also introduced.

Inside, the Jetta's updates were equally subtle but appealing. The standard cloth seats featured a new rhombus pattern, and all interiors had a premium look with contrast stitching. The leather-wrapped steering wheel was standard on all trims except the entry-level Jetta S. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard across the lineup, with the Jetta SEL receiving the 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The infotainment system was upgraded, with the Jetta SEL getting the newer generation 8-inch MIB3 system, which included navigation, wireless App-Connect, and enhanced voice recognition. The cabin offered comfortable seating and usable storage space, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, making it a hybrid. The new 3.0-liter I6 engine, with a single turbo and a 48-volt electrical system, produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional boost from the battery. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, revised for 2020, produced 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, powered by the 48-volt battery, producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with a 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful E-Class model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was offered with a single engine: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine replaced the previous model year's 1.4-liter turbo-four. The Jetta offered a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with the manual transmission rated at 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. The automatic transmission models had slightly different ratings, with the S and Sport models rated at 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, while the SE and SEL models were rated at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen, making everyday tasks easier. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, and shortcut buttons for navigation, stereo, and other settings remained. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down. The wagon variant provided 35 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 64 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact proportions, 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 easily accessible. The Jetta provided 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 still practical for keeping items out of sight.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, with a touchscreen interface that was better organized and easier to use. The system included natural voice processing, online searches, and a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows and street names. Optional features included massaging seats, seat kinetics, and a wireless phone charger. The instrument cluster offered various display options, allowing for customization of the car's appearance.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received an upgrade in technology, with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster standard across all trims. The Jetta SEL featured the 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, with additional widgets for navigation and driver-assist systems. The infotainment system in the Jetta SEL included the 8-inch MIB3 system, with navigation, wireless App-Connect, and enhanced voice recognition. The system also offered premium Beats Audio sound and a remote start system.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included rear side airbags and advanced driver-assist systems.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, which 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 2021 Jetta received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" grades from the IIHS.