2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was available in a variety of body styles, including coupe, convertible, sedan, and station wagon. This range of options was unparalleled in the market. The E-Class sedans came with an E350 model designation, featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the E450 variants were powered by a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. Rear-wheel drive was standard, but 4Matic all-wheel drive was also available. The AMG-tuned E-Class models, except for the All-Terrain wagon, offered an AMG E53 model with a more powerful version of the E450’s engine. The AMG E53 Cabriolet we tested had a base price of $85,400, but with options, it reached nearly $110,000. Despite its high cost, the car looked sensational with its AMG styling, larger wheels, convertible top, and matte-blue paint finish.

Inside, the high-end spec of our test vehicle was a treat. The bright high-resolution digital displays, glow-in-the-dark air vents, Burmester speaker grilles, and soft, supple leather exuded luxury. The E-Class Cabriolet was designed to impress, especially with its premium materials and attention to detail.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, on the other hand, was a more traditional four-door sedan. It was available in S, Sport, SE, SEL, and GLI trim levels, with prices ranging from $20,665 to $31,585, excluding the $1,095 destination charge. Our test car was a Jetta SEL with Platinum Gray Metallic paint and a Volcano Brown over Titan Black interior, priced at $29,480. The Jetta’s appearance was conservative and inoffensive, with a no-nonsense interior that channeled the VW Group’s Audi luxury brand. The SEL trim featured ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, an oversized power sunroof, and larger screens for digital instrumentation and infotainment systems. The Jetta SEL delivered emotional value at less than $30,000, despite its bland exterior.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 models featured a 3.0-liter turbo-six engine with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology, generating 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided robust throttle response across a wide rev range, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.4 seconds. The AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ variable AWD system ensured the power was effectively delivered to the pavement. The AMG Dynamic Select driving modes allowed drivers to alter the car’s character, making it both a comfortable cruiser and a capable performer on mountain roads. The AMG-tuned air suspension and performance exhaust system, along with optional 20-inch wheels and summer performance tires, enhanced the driving experience. The E53 Cabriolet was versatile, offering a quiet and cushy ride for leisurely drives and a firm, responsive performance for spirited driving.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, in contrast, was equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Jetta offered a six-speed manual transmission in S and Sport trims, while the SE and SEL trims came with an eight-speed automatic. The automatic transmission had a noticeable delay in throttle response, which could be mitigated by using the Sport mode. The Jetta SEL achieved an EPA rating of 33 mpg in combined driving, but our test averaged 30 mpg. Despite its modest power, the Jetta SEL felt nimble and responsive in urban and suburban environments, with accurate steering, faithful brakes, and predictable handling. The all-season tires provided good grip and communication about the road surface.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet was a true four-passenger convertible, with comfortable seating for adults in both the front and rear. The Aircap system reduced turbulence in the cabin when the top was down. The focus was on driver and front passenger comfort, with standard heated seats, a heated steering wheel, rapid-heating front seats, and heated armrests. The Airscarf neck-warming system and sun-reflective leather added to the comfort. The triple-layer acoustic soft top kept the cabin cool and quiet. The multi-contour front seats with massage and the Air Balance interior fragrance system made long drives enjoyable. The trunk offered 9.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the top raised, but this was reduced by half when the top was dropped.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL, on the other hand, was spacious enough to accommodate a family of four. The interior storage space was generous, and the trunk offered 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly as much as some midsize sedans. The Jetta SEL featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, but the Jetta’s higher seating position made entry and exit easy. The back seat was comfortable, with large doors and a tall, supportive seat cushion. The test car’s heated rear seats were a rarity in the segment, though rear air conditioning vents were missing. The Jetta had ample storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest, a sizable glove compartment, and door panel storage areas. The 60/40-split folding back seat allowed for carrying longer items.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which included two 12.3-inch screens for the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The system was complex yet user-friendly, with swipe and scroll functions on the steering wheel buttons. MBUX could be controlled via the touchscreen, physical controls on the center console, digital voice assistant, or touch-sensing buttons on the steering wheel. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, WiFi service, and an augmented reality video overlay for navigation. The test car also had a Burmester surround-sound audio system. The main challenges with MBUX were navigating its broad menu structure and accidentally waking the digital assistant.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL came with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. The infotainment system featured a proximity-sensing surface, knobs for stereo volume and menu functions, and shortcut tiles for main system menus. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as SiriusXM 360L premium satellite radio. However, the radio tuning process was cumbersome, and the voice recognition system required an upgrade for natural language recognition. The Car-Net connected service provided access to a Wi-Fi hotspot and several remote and safety features for the first five years of ownership. The Jetta SEL also had a Beats Audio premium sound system, though it was not particularly satisfying.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class came with standard safety features such as forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The E-Class Cabriolet also had pop-up rollbars for rollover protection. Mercedes Pre Safe and Pre Safe Sound were standard, preparing the cabin and occupants for a collision and protecting ears from loud noises. Active Parking Assist, a surround-view camera system, and rain-sensing wipers with Magic Vision Control were also included. The extra-cost Driver Assistance Package added features like adaptive cruise control, Active Steering Assist, front automatic braking for cross traffic, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and Pre Safe Plus. The test car’s adaptive cruise control and Active Steering Assist were particularly impressive.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL came with the IQ.Drive package, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and collision avoidance systems. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, working well on winding roads. The steering wheel recognized when the driver was gripping it near the bottom, and Travel Assist smoothly accommodated traffic and ignored off-ramps and on-ramps. Emergency Assist could identify an unresponsive driver and brake the car to a safe stop. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Jetta’s safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test and was unimpressed with the car’s headlights.