2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Volkswagen Passat

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle for the last three decades, had a modest yet impactful makeover. With Volkswagen's overall sales impacted by various issues, the Jetta maintained its position, representing over 61 percent of Volkswagen's 101,167 U.S. car sales in 2021. This number increased to 70 percent in the first quarter of 2022.

The 2022 Jetta featured mainly subtle design updates, including an updated engine, exterior tweaks, improved infotainment, more features, and a new Sport trim that replaced the outgoing R-Line model. The lineup was simplified to four trims: S, Sport, SE, and SEL, with this review focusing on the Jetta SEL. At first glance, the exterior changes were minimal and required careful attention to spot. Details included a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille with additional chrome elements, standard LED headlights and taillights, and new wheel designs for each trim. The rear bumper was also modified to a more squared design.

The cabin of the Jetta received minor yet appealing updates. The standard cloth seats boasted a new rhombus pattern, and all interiors featured contrast stitching for a premium look. A leather-wrapped steering wheel was standard on all trims except the entry-level Jetta S. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard, while the Jetta SEL got the advanced 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system. Overall, the 2022 Jetta presented a more aggressive profile compared to its predecessors.

To commemorate the Passat's final production year, Volkswagen introduced a Limited Edition for the 2022 model year. This model included exclusive features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, black mirror caps, special badges, and a unique Racing Green paint color. Only 1,973 units of the Limited Edition were produced, a nod to the first year the Passat was sold in Europe.

The Limited Edition’s interior featured Mauro Brown leather upholstery, contrasting nicely with the dark dashboard and door panels. Special seat tags and cupholder inserts with a map of Chattanooga added a unique touch. Despite being over a decade old, the Passat's design aged gracefully, maintaining an upscale appearance. However, some elements revealed its age, such as the 6.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the small driver information display.

Overall, the Passat’s cabin mixed inexpensive plastics and outdated technologies amidst its leather upholstery and thoughtful details. The dashboard's metallic detailing and integrated air vents added a touch of modernity, but the Passat's elderly architecture was still evident.

The 2022 Jetta came with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a step up from the previous 1.4-liter engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices included a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic. With the additional horsepower, the Jetta felt quicker, making it a suitable city commuter car.

The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with the manual transmission rated at 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic transmission models varied slightly, with S and Sport models achieving 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, and SE and SEL trims rated at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. An 800-mile trip revealed the Jetta's ability to average 46.9 highway mpg, requiring only two fill-ups for the 1,000-mile journey.

The Jetta's ride quality was generally comfortable, with well-cushioned seats and good visibility. However, the powertrain had its drawbacks, such as touchy throttle response and turbo lag. The available Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes showed varied performance, with Sport mode providing a slight boost in excitement.

The Passat was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels. Though the turbo engine's torque curve helped most driving situations, the Passat lacked immediate power for passing and rapid acceleration.

In Sport mode, the Passat felt slightly more responsive, though it achieved an impressive 30.7 mpg on a mountainous Southern California loop, surpassing the EPA’s 28 mpg combined rating. With its 18.5-gallon fuel tank, the Passat could travel over 500 miles between refueling stops.

Volkswagen prioritized the Passat's ride quality, giving it a floating sensation on most roads. However, the suspension drew attention to certain road surfaces, making it feel jittery at lower speeds. Inconsistent brake pedal feel also detracted from the driving experience. Despite these issues, the Passat handled well on twisty roads, displaying traditional Germanic traits with flat cornering and accurate steering.

Despite its compact size, the Jetta offered ample space for four adults, with the ability to accommodate five. The seats were comfortable, though the inclined edge of the front seat cushions may not suit those with shorter legs. Ergonomics were well thought out, with easy access to climate control, audio, and other essential buttons.

Storage spaces included door pockets, a center console bin, and a slot next to the cupholders. The 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space was competitive for its class. However, the center storage bin cover lacked a latch, an unusual omission, though it did not impact functionality significantly.

The Passat's spacious cabin could comfortably accommodate five adults, with ample legroom and dual-zone climate control. The Limited Edition's front seats featured eight-way power adjustment but lacked separate bottom cushion angle adjustment, impacting comfort for drivers who preferred a higher seating position.

The rear seats offered exceptional comfort with plenty of legroom and supportive cushions. Rear passengers also benefited from air conditioning vents, USB ports, and coat hooks. The 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space provided practical storage, though it lacked underfloor trays or side bins for securing items.

All 2022 Jetta models came equipped with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. S, Sport, and SE trims featured an 8-inch display, while the Jetta SEL boasted a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The SEL’s Pro version provided additional views and widgets, including navigation and driver-assist system statuses.

Standard infotainment included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with swiping and pinch-zooming capabilities, App-Connect for smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The Jetta SEL introduced an 8-inch MIB3 system with added features like navigation, wireless App-Connect, HD Radio, and premium Beats Audio sound.

However, the enhanced voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive, leading to frustrating experiences when searching for specific locations.

The Passat's infotainment system was less sophisticated than other VW models, centered around a 6.3-inch touchscreen. Standard features included App-Connect, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity for two devices. The R-Line and Limited Edition advanced these capabilities with HD Radio, navigation, and a premium Fender audio system.

The navigation system's voice recognition worked adequately for simple commands but struggled with more complex instructions. Despite these shortcomings, the Fender audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Jetta featured IQ.Drive, Volkswagen's suite of driver-assistance technologies. Standard on the Jetta S and Sport were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward-collision warning with automatic braking. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Jetta received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly Good ratings from the IIHS. However, its headlights received lower scores, and the LATCH system was rated Acceptable.

The Passat's standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, parking sensors, and park-assist.

The IIHS rated the Passat's headlights and crash tests highly, but the NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with a lower three-star rating for frontal-impact protection.