2022 Dodge Charger vs 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2022 Dodge Charger had a long history, running on a platform dating back to 2005, shared with the Dodge Challenger and Chrysler 300. Despite its age, Dodge managed to keep the Charger relevant with significant updates in 2011 and a major facelift in 2015. The 2015 design, which carried over to the 2022 model, offered a modern and menacing look, contrasting with the retro styling of the Challenger. However, the interior of the Charger felt dated, with thick bezels and chunky buttons, reminiscent of a small truck. Despite this, the cabin was user-friendly, compensating for its lack of modernity with ease of use.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen Jetta aimed to balance the compact and midsize sedan segments. The Jetta's design was conservative, lacking the symmetry and balance of previous generations, but it remained visually inoffensive. The interior of the Jetta SEL trim channeled a luxury feel with ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, and larger screens for digital instrumentation and infotainment. The Jetta's cabin felt upscale, delivering emotional value at a price point under $30,000, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a refined yet affordable sedan.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 engine in the SXT and GT models, producing 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The V6 in the SXT AWD and GT trims was slightly more powerful, delivering 300 hp and 264 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, generating 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack took performance up a notch with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, producing 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.

The Charger SRT Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, delivered an astonishing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat Redeye and Jailbreak models pushed the limits further, with the Redeye producing 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque, and the Jailbreak reaching 807 hp. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The Hellcat variants offered incredible acceleration, with the Hellcat and Redeye sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, while not a sports sedan, provided a nimble and responsive driving experience. It featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The S and Sport trims came with a six-speed manual transmission, while the SE and SEL trims had an eight-speed automatic. The automatic transmission included a Sport mode and manual shifting mode, though it had a noticeable delay in acceleration. The Jetta SEL achieved an EPA rating of 33 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 30 mpg.

Despite its modest power, the Jetta SEL felt light and tossable, with accurate steering, faithful brakes, and predictable handling. The all-season tires provided excellent grip and communication, enhancing the driving experience. The Jetta's performance was well-suited for urban and suburban environments, offering a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The high center console and performance bucket seats created an intimate front-seat experience. Storage space was limited, with a small center console bin and trays around the shifter. The Charger provided 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, though the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it versatile.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, straddling the compact and midsize segments, comfortably accommodated four adults, with the option to fit a fifth passenger for short trips. The interior storage space was generous, with a large bin under the center armrest, a sizable glove compartment, and ample door panel storage. The trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly matching some midsize sedans. The Jetta SEL featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seats provided plenty of legroom and comfort, though rear air conditioning vents were absent.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. The base SXT and higher trims offered an optional 8.4-inch screen, which was standard on the rest of the lineup. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system included proximity sensing, knobs for volume and menu functions, and shortcut tiles for main menus. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the radio tuning process was cumbersome. The Car-Net connected services offered a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote engine starting, and several safety features, though natural voice recognition required an additional subscription. The SEL trim included a Beats Audio premium sound system, though it was not particularly satisfying.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of safety features. Standard equipment included a backup camera and rear parking sensors, with a grainy image on the Uconnect screen. Optional safety features included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL came with the IQ.Drive package, offering advanced driving assistance systems like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience. Emergency Assist could identify an unresponsive driver and safely stop the car. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta's safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test and was unimpressed with the headlights.