2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry tried hard to distance itself from the bland designs of its past iterations. Designers aimed to inject excitement by adding various styling details. Some elements succeeded, like the flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights, which visually broadened the car. However, trims like the SE, XSE, or TRD were cluttered with fake vents that added visual noise. The LE and XLE trims featured a cleaner but still massive grille. The 2021 model shared the TNGA-K platform with other Toyota vehicles, lending it a modern undercarriage. The TRD performance model came with unique elements like a larger rear spoiler, and the Nightshade Edition continued from the previous year with blacked-out features and wheels. The interior maintained the chaotic styling, with contrasting trim elements and low-rent feel materials. By contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a mild makeover for the year. The Jetta's design remained largely subtle, aligning it with its understated yet functional aesthetic. While the exterior tweaks were minimal, the Jetta still delivered a refreshed front fascia, bumper, and grille with additional chrome. New wheel designs and added paint colors like Kings Red, Oryx White, and Rising Blue diversified the lineup. The interior also saw nuanced updates, including premium cloth seats with a new rhombus pattern and available two-tone leather in Volcano Brown and black. The cockpit’s layout was efficient with a driver-centric arrangement, putting crucial controls within easy reach.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered robust engine options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, known as Dynamic Force, delivered 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque with FWD, slightly varied when opting for AWD. XSE models with the dual-exhaust system enjoyed a minor bump to 206 hp. Toyota's naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A hybrid variant combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with electric assist, offering 208 hp. The AWD option, borrowed from the RAV4, could send up to 50% torque to the rear wheels. The Camry provided a balanced ride with precise steering, an engaging driving experience, and well-tuned chassis dynamics, especially in the TRD variant. The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came with a single engine option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. This represented an increase in horsepower from the previous model year's 1.4-liter engine. Transmission options included a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic. The Jetta's real highlight was its impressive fuel economy, able to achieve 46.9 mpg on an extensive highway journey. The Jetta's throttle response and turbo lag made city driving somewhat jittery, although it smoothed out on highways. The different drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom—offered varied yet generally unremarkable driving experiences.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom, though front headspace was somewhat restricted. Front seats were adjustable and comfortable with excellent outward visibility. Cargo space measured at 15.1 cubic feet, which was average for the segment but fell short compared to the Honda Accord's 16.7 cubic feet. In-cabin storage was limited with small cupholders and door bottle holders. Toyota included analog controls for critical functions, although the placement of some controls was a stretch from the driver’s seat. Meanwhile, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta effectively utilized its compact-size proportions. It provided ample space for four adults and could snugly seat five. The seats were generally comfortable, though the front cushion’s incline might not suit shorter-legged occupants. The driver-centric cabin layout kept frequently needed controls within easy reach. Front stowage spaces, including door pockets and a center console bin, were adequate, though the center bin lacked a latch mechanism. While smaller, the Jetta’s layout felt usable and practical.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and SiriusXM radio. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on XSE and XLE trims. Despite functional and easy-to-navigate menus, the graphics were plain. The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received technology upgrades across the board with the inclusion of the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. Trims S, Sport, and SE featured an 8-inch display, while the SEL stepped up to a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. Standard infotainment for lower trims included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with capacitive-touch features and App-Connect for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink. Higher trims like SEL added an 8-inch MIB3 system, wireless features, and premium Beats Audio. The system's advanced features and intuitive navigation customization were highlights, though its voice activation and navigation commands were sometimes frustratingly inconsistent.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety honors, including a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. The Camry featured Toyota’s TSS 2.5+ safety package as standard, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional available safety features included a new Rear Seat Reminder and options like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 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. Higher trims and an optional Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. While awaiting 2022 safety ratings, the Jetta had a strong track record from prior years, scoring highly with NHTSA and generally well with IIHS, though it had some shortcomings, particularly in headlight performance.