2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite the automaker's overall sales decline due to various global issues, remained a steadfast performer. It accounted for over 61 percent of Volkswagen's U.S. car sales in 2021, and this figure rose to 70 percent in the first quarter of 2022. The Jetta received a mild makeover for 2022, including an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, improved infotainment, and a new Sport trim. The exterior changes were subtle, with minor updates to the front fascia, bumper, and grille, which now featured more chrome. The interior also saw subtle but appealing updates, such as a new rhombus pattern on the standard cloth seats and contrast stitching across all upholstery types. The Jetta SEL, in particular, received a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class incorporated elements from other Mercedes models into a cohesive and stylish sedan. The front end resembled the CLA-Class, while the rear end and thin taillights were reminiscent of the S-Class. The C-Class featured cab-rearward proportions, emphasizing its RWD platform. LED headlights and taillights were standard, with an optional Digital Light system that could project warning icons. Inside, the C-Class aimed to be a baby S-Class, with a freestanding touchscreen, prominent air vents, and intricate speaker grilles. The interior felt luxurious, with nightclub-style ambient lighting and comfortable seats. However, the standard MBTex synthetic leather upholstery was a reminder of its price range, with Nappa leather available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four, offering a slight increase in horsepower. 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 achieving 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic models had slightly different ratings, with S and Sport trims achieving 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, while SE and SEL trims achieved 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg, making it a cost-effective choice for long-distance travel. However, the Jetta's powertrain had some drawbacks, including touchy throttle response, turbo lag, and tepid dynamics. The steering was accurate but lacked feedback, and the overall driving experience felt jumpy in stop-and-go traffic.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which could provide an additional 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque in short bursts. The C300 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph. A sportier Mercedes-AMG C43 version was also available, with a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The C300 4Matic test car felt powerful but suffered from turbo lag and occasional rough shifts. The ride quality was up to luxury standards, with good body control and precise steering, but it required a deliberate approach to cornering.

Despite its compact size, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered ample passenger space for four adults, with the ability to accommodate five if needed. The seats were comfortable, although the front seat cushions had a slight incline that might not suit shorter individuals. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for essential functions like climate control, audio, and seat controls conveniently located. Storage space was adequate, with door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. However, the center storage bin lacked a latch, which was an unusual omission.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was longer and wider than its predecessor, resulting in increased interior space. Headroom increased by 0.1 inch in the front and 0.4 inch in the back, while rear-seat legroom increased by 0.8 inch. The C-Class led its segment in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom, providing decent headroom for rear passengers. The seats were comfortable and well-bolstered for spirited driving, with excellent forward visibility. However, thick rear pillars created a blind spot, and the dashboard trim produced glare in direct sunlight. The trunk offered 17.9 cubic feet of space, with a wide opening for easy loading and a 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench for accommodating longer items.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade, with all models equipped with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. S, Sport, and SE trims had an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The Jetta SEL also had an 8-inch MIB3 infotainment system with navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless device charging, and enhanced voice recognition. Standard infotainment included a 6.5-inch MIB2 system with capacitive-touch sensors, App-Connect, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The MIB3 system had some issues with voice activation and navigation commands, but the touchscreen was responsive and easy to use.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured an infotainment setup similar to the S-Class, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a Burmester 3D surround-sound system available on mid-tier models. The top C300 Pinnacle trim added a head-up display and augmented-reality navigation system. The MBUX infotainment system included a "Zero Layer" setup, allowing multiple items to be displayed on the screen simultaneously. The voice recognition system was one of the best in its class, and the touch controls on the steering wheel were easy to use. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided clear guidance with overlaid arrows on a front-camera feed.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, Volkswagen's suite of driver-assistance technologies. The Jetta S and Sport trims included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian recognition. An optional Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The full IQ.Drive safety suite was standard on SE and SEL trims. The 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but the 2021 model received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" grades from the IIHS.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of publication. The 2021 C-Class was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+," but this award did not automatically carry over to the redesigned 2022 model. The C-Class came with a range of advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a driver-attention monitor, Pre-Safe, and Pre-Safe Sound. Optional features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera system, park assist, and two levels of Distronic adaptive cruise control. The C-Class also offered Car-to-X communication, which allowed information to be shared between vehicles.