2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite the automaker's overall sales decline due to various global issues, remained a steadfast performer. It accounted for more than 61 percent of Volkswagen's U.S. car sales in 2021, and this figure rose to 70 percent in the first quarter of 2022. While Volkswagen's SUV sales were significantly higher, the Jetta still outsold the rest of the VW car lineup combined. For 2022, the Jetta received a mild makeover, including an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, improved infotainment, more features, and a new Sport trim. The Jetta Sport replaced the outgoing R-Line model, and the SEL Premium was dropped from the lineup, simplifying the choices to four trims: S, Sport, SE, and SEL.

The exterior changes to the Jetta were subtle, requiring a keen eye to notice. The front fascia, bumper, and grille were redone with more chrome, and the grille now featured a chrome frame and two horizontal chrome pieces. The rear bumper was less squatty and more square, with a full-length chrome feature. New wheel designs and metallic colors were added to the paint palette. The interior updates were equally subtle but appealing, with new rhombus-patterned cloth seats and contrast stitching on all upholstery types. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard across the lineup, with the Jetta SEL receiving the 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, offered a more subtle front-end design despite being two inches wider than its predecessor. The front fascia featured a small hexagonal grille, sharp-looking LED headlights, and the signature hood scoop. Along the side, the WRX showcased significant changes, including black plastic cladding with a hexagonal pattern to improve aerodynamics. The rear fenders flared outward dramatically, and the taillights had a multifaceted design. The overall look was smoother and more streamlined, although the body cladding could be distracting on brightly colored vehicles. The Premium-trim tester included LED fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a subtle trunk-mounted lip spoiler.

Inside, the WRX saw significant improvements in fit and finish. The D-shaped, flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents, and black cloth seats with red contrast stitching set it apart from other Subaru models. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, making the WRX a viable commuter vehicle. The inclusion of standard all-wheel drive (AWD) added to its practicality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four. This new engine produced 158 horsepower, an increase of 11 hp, while torque remained at 184 pound-feet. 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 estimated at 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 were rated at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

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, although not the quietest in its segment. The seats were well-cushioned and supportive, and visibility was good despite the vehicle feeling small among larger traffic. 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 varying levels of responsiveness, with Sport mode providing a slight improvement. Overall, the Jetta's acceleration was good, but stop-and-go traffic could be annoying due to the touchy throttle and harsh braking.

The 2022 Subaru WRX featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 2.0-liter turbo. This engine produced 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The WRX came standard with AWD and offered a choice between a six-speed manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT, dubbed the Subaru Performance Transmission, was programmed with eight shift points and provided faster upshifts and downshifts compared to the previous generation.

During a test drive through the mountains of northern California, the manual transmission proved to be a delight, with notchy and precise shifts and a satisfying clutch pedal. The new WRX's suspension, mounted on the Subaru Global Platform, offered improved ride quality and reduced body roll. The car handled well on rough mountain roads, feeling stable and composed despite its 3,320-pound weight. The WRX's performance was impressive, although some drivers might wish for more power compared to competitors like the Volkswagen GTI.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults and could accommodate five if needed. The seats were comfortable, although the front seats' bottom cushion had a slight incline that might not suit shorter drivers. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for 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's cover lacked a latch, which was an unusual design choice.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, while no longer offering a hatchback option, saw an increase in cargo capacity from 12 cubic feet to 12.5 cubic feet, expandable with the rear seat's 60/40 split-fold function. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The seats provided ample bolstering without feeling tight or claustrophobic. The WRX's standard AWD added to its practicality, making it a strong contender in its price range.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received significant technology upgrades, including the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The S, Sport, and SE trims featured an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The Jetta SEL also included an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system. The standard infotainment system in the S, Sport, and SE trims was a 6.5-inch Volkswagen MIB2 system, with features like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The SEL trim had the newer 8-inch MIB3 system, which added navigation, wireless device charging, and enhanced voice recognition. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, particularly in the Premium trim and higher, featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display, similar to those found in newer Subaru models. The system included physical controls for climate control, power and volume, tuning, and defrost functions. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration had some quirks, with Android Auto displaying only on the top half of the screen. The base trim had a more unusual setup with two 7-inch displays stacked on top of each other. The WRX was also available with an 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system, although this was not tested in the Premium-trim vehicle.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with IQ.Drive, Volkswagen's suite of driver-assistance technologies. The Jetta S and Sport 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 safety list was standard on the 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 Subaru WRX's safety features varied by transmission. CVT-equipped models came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. The EyeSight system also added an electronic brake booster and automatic steering assist. However, manual transmission models did not include EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the Limited and GT trims. The WRX's new platform absorbed more energy in a crash, and the car came equipped with seven airbags, including a driver's-side knee airbag.