2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 BMW 3 Series

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta had been a steadfast performer for the automaker, maintaining its position as the best-selling vehicle for three decades. Despite overall sales declines due to various global issues, the Jetta remained a strong contender, accounting for over 61 percent of Volkswagen's U.S. car sales in the previous year. By the first quarter of 2022, this figure had risen to 70 percent. The Jetta received a mild makeover for 2022, featuring an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, improved infotainment, and a new Sport trim. The design changes were subtle, with minor updates to the front fascia, bumper, and grille, along with new wheel designs and metallic colors. The interior also saw subtle but appealing updates, including new seat patterns and contrast stitching.

In contrast, the 2023 BMW 3 Series, a staple of the Bavarian brand since 1975, received a mid-cycle refresh for its seventh-generation model. The lineup included the petrol-powered 330i and M340i, as well as the plug-in hybrid 330e. Exterior design modifications were sporty yet subtle, with a narrow kidney grille, redesigned full-LED headlights, and reshaped lower air intakes. The cabin featured the new BMW iDrive 8 system with a 27.2-inch curved display, creating a driver-centric cockpit with fewer buttons and a minimalist dashboard. The M Sport package added performance flourishes, making the 330i sedan feel more than just an entry-level model.

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 year's 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 the S and Sport trims achieving 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, while the SE and SEL trims were rated at 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. During a road trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg, showcasing its efficiency. However, the powertrain had its drawbacks, with a touchy throttle, turbo lag, and tepid dynamics. The Jetta offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, but the overall driving experience was not particularly engaging.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series carried over its powertrains from the previous model year. The 330i and 330e featured a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with the 330e adding electric assist. The M340i boasted a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and xDrive all-wheel drive available. The 330i produced 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The 330e had a combined output of 288 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds and up to 22 miles of electric-only range. The M340i delivered 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Fuel economy varied, with the 330i achieving 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while the 330e had a gas-only rating of 28 combined mpg and 75 MPGe combined in electric mode. The M340i achieved 23 city, 31 highway, and 26 combined mpg. The 330i offered a comfortable and quiet ride, with precise steering and a proficient performance on curvy roads, though it lacked the sportiness of the M340i and M3.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults, with the ability to accommodate five if needed. The seats were comfortable, though the front seat bottom cushions had a slight incline that might not suit shorter individuals. The cabin was driver-centric, with easily accessible buttons for climate control, audio, and seat controls. Storage options included door pockets, a center console bin, a slot next to the cupholders, and a sunglass holder. The center storage bin, while not large, was functional, though it lacked a latch.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series provided a compact yet comfortable interior, with 38.7 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom in the front, and 37.6 inches of headroom and 35.2 inches of legroom in the rear. The standard SensaTec faux leather upholstery and power-adjustable front sport seats offered good support and bolstering, though the seat bottom cushions were somewhat stiff. The leather steering wheel provided a solid grip, and the overall ergonomics were excellent, with intuitive controls and the familiar iDrive controller knob. Storage options included cup holders, rubberized trays, and a usable glovebox. The trunk offered 17 cubic feet of cargo capacity, with rear seats that folded down in a 40/20/40 split for larger items. Standard features included a power moonroof, with available options such as a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, power lumbar support, keyless entry, and remote start.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade, with all models featuring the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The S, Sport, and SE trims had an 8-inch display, while the SEL trim had a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro version. The SEL also featured 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, USB-C ports, and an SD card multimedia interface. The SEL trim added HD Radio, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a Car-Net Hotspot subscription, and a Plus Nav package. The voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive, but the touchscreen was responsive.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series featured the advanced BMW iDrive 8 system, with a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, with customizable widgets and vehicle information. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant allowed for natural speech commands, making it easy to access various functions. Standard tech features included USB-C ports, enhanced Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, and a one-year SiriusXM subscription. Available options included wireless device charging, a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system, and a wireless 5G hotspot.

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. The Driver Assistance package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. The SE and SEL trims had the full IQ.Drive safety list as standard. The 2022 Jetta had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2021 model received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" grades from the IIHS, with some shortcomings in the headlights and LATCH use categories.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA, though the PHEV model was not rated. The 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick nod from the IIHS, missing the top-tier "Plus" distinction due to poor headlight ratings. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, LED headlights, BMW Assist eCall, Active Guard, and the Active Protection System. The Driving Assistance Package added active blind spot detection, lane-departure warning, park-distance control, and pedestrian and frontal collision warnings. The Driving Assistance Professional Package included semi-autonomous driving systems, while additional safety options were available a la carte.