2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Subaru Impreza presented a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which had taken bolder styling risks. Despite its subtlety, the Impreza maintained a handsome appearance with sleek headlights and taillights that enhanced its width. The front end was nicely tapered, and the body sides featured some scalloping for visual interest. The Impreza Sport models stood out with specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with other Subaru models like the Legacy and Outback, the Impreza benefited from a well-engineered foundation that contributed to its overall refinement. Inside, the design was typical of compact cars, with a dashboard split by the infotainment touchscreen and a predominance of plastic materials. The Impreza Sport added contrast stitching and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the Limited trim offered leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, a long-standing best-seller for the automaker, received a mild makeover that included an engine update and subtle exterior styling tweaks. Despite these changes, the Jetta's design remained understated, akin to a functional suitcase. The front fascia, bumper, and grille were updated with more chrome, and the taillights now featured standard LED lighting. The Jetta Sport trim replaced the outgoing R-Line model, and new wheel designs and metallic colors were introduced. Inside, the Jetta's updates were subtle but appealing, with a new rhombus pattern on the cloth seats and contrast stitching across all interiors. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for essential controls conveniently located. The Jetta offered ample passenger space for four adults, and the ergonomics were well thought out, although the front seat cushion's incline might not suit everyone.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine configuration allowed for a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. Most Impreza models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual was available on select trims. The Impreza Sport featured model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the all-wheel-drive system, providing a balanced ride. While the Impreza was a solid daily driver, it lacked the engagement of some competitors, with noncommunicative steering and limited engine power. The Sport trim offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but for a more spirited drive, the WRX was recommended.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four, offering a slight increase in horsepower. Transmission options included a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with the manual version achieving 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic models varied slightly in ratings. On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg, showcasing its efficiency. However, the powertrain had its drawbacks, with a touchy throttle and turbo lag. The Jetta offered different drive modes, but the overall dynamics were unremarkable, with numb steering feedback and jumpy acceleration in stop-and-go traffic.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both sedan and hatchback forms, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan's trunk space was limited at 12.3 cubic feet, but the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Impreza hatchback also featured standard roof rails on all trims except the base model. Higher trims included an All-Weather Package with heated front seats and mirrors, while the Sport trim added keyless entry and pushbutton start. The Limited trim offered a power driver's seat and automatic climate control, with a power moonroof available as an option.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, provided ample passenger space for four adults, with the option to accommodate a fifth. The cabin was driver-focused, with controls for climate, audio, and seat functions easily accessible. Storage options included door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. The center storage bin, though not large, was practical, albeit lacking a latch. The Jetta's interior was well-organized, with driving-related controls intuitively placed near the shifter.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on base and Premium trims, while higher trims received an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim offered an optional package with TomTom navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen provided additional information, though it seemed redundant given the gauge cluster's LCD display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and straightforward menus, though it lacked advanced features for tech-savvy users.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster standard across all trims. The S, Sport, and SE trims had an 8-inch display, while the SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The Jetta's infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with App-Connect for smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The SEL trim offered an 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless charging, and enhanced voice recognition. However, voice commands were not intuitive, often requiring manual input for accuracy. The touchscreen was responsive, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received high safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Impreza's standard EyeSight safety suite included features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited trim's headlights received a "Good" rating, while standard headlights were rated "Marginal."

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, which included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Jetta's safety features were customizable via the touchscreen menu. While the 2022 model had not yet been rated, the 2021 Jetta received a five-star NHTSA rating and mostly "Good" IIHS scores, with some shortcomings in headlight performance and LATCH use.