2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Lexus IS

Nearly 15 years ago, the original 2008 Lexus IS F debuted with a normally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 417 horsepower and 371 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance arrived with a similar recipe, featuring a 5.0-liter V8 engine that cranked out 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, also flowing to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. The base price was $56,500, plus a $1,075 destination charge.

The IS 500 F Sport Performance was a thrilling ride on Arizona’s North Seven Springs Road, echoing the spirit of its predecessors. It offered an emotional thrill when driven hard, yet remained docile in daily driving situations. However, it commanded a $13,450 premium over the Lexus IS 350 F Sport. The test car, with Premium trim and Iridium paint, totaled $62,575. The IS 500 featured minor trim modifications, exclusive 19-inch wheels, and a raised hood to clear the V8 engine, maintaining a stealthy look. Inside, it was identical to the IS 350 F Sport, with quality materials and a wide touchscreen display for the infotainment system.

The Volkswagen Jetta had been the automaker’s best-selling vehicle for three decades. Despite overall sales declines due to various global issues, the Jetta held steady, accounting for more than 61 percent of VW’s 101,167 U.S. sales in 2021. By the first quarter of 2022, this number rose to 70 percent. The 2022 Jetta received a mild makeover, including an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, improved infotainment, more features, and a new Sport trim. The SEL Premium was dropped, simplifying the lineup to four trims: S, Sport, SE, and SEL.

The exterior updates were subtle, with changes to the front fascia, bumper, and grille, mostly adding more chrome. The rear bumper was less squatty and more square, with full-length chrome features. New wheel designs and metallic colors were added to the paint palette. The interior received subtle updates, with new rhombus-patterned cloth seats and contrast stitching. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard across the lineup, with the SEL getting a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance featured a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. It weighed 11 pounds less than the RC F coupe and 143 pounds less than the GS F sedan. The eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential were standard. Driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds.

The IS 500 came with adaptive variable suspension and a Yamaha rear performance damper for a comfortable ride and greater stability. The brakes were upgraded for better cooling and withstood abuse in triple-digit heat. The car felt comfortable and easy to drive, with a throaty engine note. However, road noise on the freeway was unexpected. The V8 engine was impressive, but the IS 500 wasn’t particularly fuel-efficient, averaging 17.7 mpg during evaluation, below the EPA rating of 20 mpg combined.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was offered with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Transmission choices included a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. The Jetta felt quicker with the increased horsepower and impressed with its fuel economy. The EPA estimated the manual Jetta at 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic models had slightly different ratings, with the SE and SEL trims rated at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

On an 800-mile trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg, requiring only two fill-ups for the roughly 1,000-mile journey. The cabin was comfortable for long drives, though not the quietest. The seats were supportive, and visibility was good despite feeling small among larger vehicles. However, the powertrain had a touchy throttle, turbo lag, and surge, making city driving annoying. The Jetta offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, but the dynamics were tepid, and the steering feedback was detached.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 featured ice-cold air conditioning, effective seat ventilation, and seat heaters for cold climates. The front seats were snug but comfortable, with excellent thigh support and a good driving position. The rear seats were adequate for average-height adults, with rear air conditioning vents but no smartphone charging. Storage was decent, though the touchpad controller took up space in the center console. The trunk was small, measuring just 10.8 cubic feet. The control layout was excellent, with buttons and knobs clearly labeled.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered ample passenger space for four adults, with comfortable seats. The front seats had a slightly inclined edge for thigh support, which might not suit shorter individuals. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for climate control, audio, and seat controls easily accessible. Storage space included door pockets, a center console bin, a slot next to the cupholders, and a sunglass holder. The center storage bin was usable but lacked a latch, which was unusual.

The 2022 Lexus IS switched to a touchscreen infotainment display, solving ergonomic issues. The controls and touchscreen were logical and intuitive, with a dynamic voice command system that handled queries accurately. Standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The IS 500 Premium added a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade, with all models equipped with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The Jetta SEL had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with three views and more widgets. The standard infotainment system for lower trims was a 6.5-inch MIB2 system, with capacitive-touch sensors and smartphone integration. The Jetta SEL had an 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless charging, and enhanced voice recognition. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not intuitive, often requiring manual input.

The 2022 Lexus IS came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, a comprehensive package of safety features. The lane-departure warning system and adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance worked well. However, the Curve Speed Reduction function could react too aggressively, and the low-speed automatic braking technology was aggravating in heavy traffic. The IS earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received a four-star frontal-impact collision rating.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, including 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. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist but required driver input on sweeping curves. Emergency Assist brought the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings, but the 2021 model received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly “Good” grades from the IIHS.