2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta maintained its status as a steadfast performer in the automaker's lineup, even amidst declining overall sales due to various global challenges. It accounted for a significant portion of Volkswagen's U.S. sales, with its popularity rising to 70% in the first quarter of 2022. Despite the dominance of Volkswagen's SUV sales, the Jetta outsold the rest of the VW car lineup combined. The 2022 model received a mild makeover, featuring an engine update, subtle exterior styling tweaks, improved infotainment, and a new Sport trim. The Jetta's design changes were subtle, with chrome accents and redesigned elements like the grille and rear bumper. The interior updates included new seat patterns and a standard 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with the SEL trim offering a more advanced 10-inch display.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from previous years, with its last major update in 2015. Despite its age, the Charger stood out with its distinct and modern appearance compared to competitors like the Accord and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model featured a widebody kit with flared fenders, large hood scoop, and bronze wheels, giving it a bold and aggressive look. The interior, however, remained largely unchanged from 2011, with dated elements like a small touchscreen and plasticky knobs. While the materials weren't top-notch, the Swinger model added unique touches like green stitching and a Swinger badge. Overall, the Charger's design and interior reflected its muscle car heritage, offering a mix of nostalgia and modern flair.

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 performance was adequate for city commuting, with impressive fuel economy ratings. The manual version achieved 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined, while automatic models varied slightly depending on the trim. On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged an impressive 46.9 mpg on the highway. However, the powertrain had its drawbacks, with a touchy throttle and some turbo lag. The Jetta offered different drive modes, but the overall driving experience was somewhat lackluster, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing up to 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. While the V6 was paired with an all-wheel-drive option, it was not the most exciting choice. The real performance came from the Hemi V8 engines. The R/T models featured a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, while the Scatpack models boasted a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The Hellcat models took performance to another level with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing up to 807 horsepower in the Redeye Jailbreak variant. The Charger's handling was surprisingly good for its size, with precise steering and minimal body roll. However, the Hellcat's immense power could be challenging to manage, especially in less experienced hands.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered a spacious interior despite its compact size, comfortably accommodating four adults with the option for a fifth passenger. The seats were comfortable, though the front seat cushions had a slight incline that might not suit everyone. The cabin was driver-centric, with easy access to controls for climate, audio, and other functions. Storage space was practical, with door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder. However, the center storage bin lacked a latch, which was an unusual omission.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its large exterior, felt somewhat cramped inside. Headroom was adequate for a 5-foot-11 individual, but the footwells were tight, and the transmission tunnel reduced rear legroom. The rear headroom was also limited. The trunk, however, was spacious at 16.5 cubic feet. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large, easy-to-find buttons for climate and audio systems. The touchscreen integrated additional features without requiring extensive menu navigation, making the interior familiar and user-friendly.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster standard across all models. The Jetta SEL featured a more advanced 10.25-inch display with additional widgets for navigation and driver-assist systems. The infotainment system varied by trim, with the SEL offering an 8-inch MIB3 system with navigation, wireless connectivity, and premium audio. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive, leading to some frustration.

The 2023 Dodge Charger did not feature the latest Uconnect system or advanced driver-assistance technologies. The 8.4-inch touchscreen, though small, offered fast and logical menu navigation. It included wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed for extensive customization of performance settings, including launch control and line lock for drag racing. The Performance Pages displayed real-time data, adding a layer of technology focused on driving performance.

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. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings for 2022, but the previous model year received high marks from NHTSA and IIHS, with some areas for improvement in headlight performance and LATCH use.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. However, it lacked standard safety assists, with features like forward collision warning and lane-keep assist available only as options on certain trims. The Charger did not have the latest safety technologies, reflecting its older design and focus on performance.