2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, which had been around since its 2019 hatchback launch and 2020 sedan debut, aimed to shed Toyota's "boring" reputation with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. Different trim levels offered unique styling elements, such as the aggressive front fascia on SE and XSE models, blacked-out trim on Nightshade Editions, and a subtle body kit with bronze accents on Apex Editions. The SE Apex Edition, in particular, stood out with its "Fast and Furious" vibe, thanks to its Cement gray color and model-specific 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the Corolla's design was simpler but still appealing. The fit and finish met Toyota's high standards, although the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition's interior mirrored that of the standard SE, with no sporty enhancements and light gray upholstery that seemed susceptible to stains. Cloth upholstery was standard, with SofTex leatherette available on higher trims. The Corolla's interior, while not as imaginative as its exterior, maintained a clean and functional look.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, a long-time best-seller for the automaker, received a mild makeover for 2022. This included an engine update, exterior tweaks, improved infotainment, more features, and a new Sport trim. The Jetta's design changes were subtle, requiring a keen eye to notice. The front fascia, bumper, and grille were redone with more chrome, and the rear bumper was made squarer. New wheel designs and metallic colors were added to the paint palette, giving the Jetta a slightly more aggressive profile.

Inside, the Jetta's updates were equally subtle but appealing. The standard cloth seats featured a new rhombus pattern, and all interiors had added premium touches like contrast stitching. Leather-wrapped steering wheels were standard on all trims except the base model, and an 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster was now standard across the lineup. The Jetta SEL received a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system. The cabin was comfortable and driver-centric, with buttons for essential controls conveniently located. Storage space was ample, with various compartments for stowing items.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models came with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Apex Edition versions of the SE and XSE had the same engine but with a sport exhaust system. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-liter engine could be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox on SE and SE Apex Edition models. All Corollas were front-wheel drive (FWD).

The SE Apex Edition test car, with its manual transmission, sport exhaust system, and model-specific suspension, offered a nimble and sporty driving experience. The suspension changes improved handling but also stiffened the ride. The Apex Edition was fun in corners but lacked power for quick acceleration. The standard Corolla was comfortable but not particularly exciting, making the Volkswagen Jetta a better choice for a comfortable commuter car.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured a single engine: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, replacing the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four. It produced 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. 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 rated at 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic models had slightly different ratings depending on the trim.

During an 800-mile road 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 the vehicle's compact size. However, the Jetta's powertrain had some drawbacks, including a touchy throttle, turbo lag, and tepid dynamics. The drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom) offered some customization, but overall, the driving experience was not particularly engaging.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though Toyota hadn't released specific headroom and legroom measurements. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard made it hard to see the end of the hood. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The front and rear seat cushions were squishy rather than supportive. The Corolla sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, provided ample passenger space for four adults and could accommodate five if needed. The front seats had a slightly inclined edge for thigh support, which might not suit shorter drivers. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for essential controls conveniently located. Storage space was plentiful, with door pockets, a center console bin, a slot next to the cupholders, and a sunglass holder. The center storage bin lacked a latch, but this was a minor quirk. Overall, the Jetta's interior was well-designed and functional.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. The base model had a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system was available on higher trims. The interface was user-friendly, but some tasks were more cumbersome compared to other systems. The graphics looked dated, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The Corolla also lacked novel features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. S, Sport, and SE models had an 8-inch display, while the SEL had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The Jetta SEL also featured an 8-inch MIB3 infotainment system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless device charging, multi-phone pairing, and enhanced voice recognition. Standard infotainment on lower trims included a 6.5-inch MIB2 system with capacitive-touch sensors, App-Connect, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The Jetta SEL also offered premium Beats Audio sound and a remote start system. The voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive, but the touchscreen was responsive.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received top safety ratings, including an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims.

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 and pedestrian recognition. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The full IQ.Drive suite was standard on SE and SEL trims. The 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings, but the 2021 model had a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" grades from the IIHS, with some lower scores for headlights and LATCH use.