2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Mazda MAZDA3

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta maintained its status as a steadfast performer in the automaker's lineup, even amidst a challenging sales environment. Despite Volkswagen's overall sales decline, the Jetta continued to be a significant contributor, accounting for over 61 percent of VW's U.S. car sales in the previous year and increasing to 70 percent in the first quarter of 2022. The Jetta's subtle exterior updates, including a refreshed front fascia and grille with more chrome, were understated yet gave the car a slightly more aggressive profile. Inside, the Jetta received modest but appealing updates, such as a new rhombus pattern on the cloth seats and contrast stitching across all upholstery types. The 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster became standard, enhancing the driving experience with improved technology.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 stood out with its bold design, particularly in the hatchback variant, which featured a futuristic and clean aesthetic. The interior continued this theme with a minimalist approach, highlighted by an infotainment system that rose organically from the dash. The Mazda3 offered a conventional shifter design and user-friendly climate controls, contributing to a straightforward driving experience. The trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, each adding progressively more features. The top trim, which we tested, included advanced driver assistance features and a powerful turbocharged engine, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of style and performance.

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, shared with the Volkswagen Taos SUV, 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 excelled in fuel economy, with the manual version achieving an impressive 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic models varied slightly, with S and Sport trims rated at 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. Despite its fuel efficiency, the Jetta's powertrain was criticized for its touchy throttle and turbo lag, which affected its overall driving dynamics.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with 191 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was available, and a manual transmission was offered on front-wheel drive Premium models. Our test model featured the optional turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, delivering 227 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, or 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet with premium fuel. The turbo engine provided an engaging driving experience, with well-weighted steering and impressive handling. The Mazda3's Sport mode enhanced the driving dynamics, offering a more forceful steering feedback and a responsive transmission. The car's handling was praised for its balance and agility, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults, with the option to accommodate a fifth. The cabin was driver-centric, with easily accessible controls for climate, audio, and seat functions. Storage options included door pockets, a center console bin, and a sunglass holder, though the center storage bin lacked a latch. The Jetta's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with thoughtful ergonomics and a focus on usability.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 sedan provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback offered 20.1 cubic feet. However, the rear seating area was cramped, with limited legroom and headroom due to the sloping roofline. The front seating area featured a decently sized center console compartment and sizable cupholders, though the lid's sliding mechanism was noted as frustrating. The Mazda3's interior was designed primarily for front-seat use, with the back seats serving as a secondary option.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster, standard across all models. The Jetta SEL featured the Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display, offering customizable views and widgets. The infotainment system varied by trim, with the Jetta SEL receiving the 8-inch MIB3 system, which included navigation, wireless App-Connect, and premium audio. While the touchscreen was responsive, the voice activation and navigation commands were less intuitive, leading to some frustration during use.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 came standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment display, operated via a dial in the center console. This system was criticized for its clumsy menu navigation and lack of touchscreen functionality, making it difficult to use. The Mazda3 included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with two USB ports, HD radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Our test model featured upgrades such as navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium stereo system, which delivered excellent sound quality.

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. The SE and SEL trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and Emergency Assist. While the 2022 Jetta had not yet received crash safety ratings, the 2021 model received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and mostly "Good" grades from the IIHS, with some shortcomings in headlight tests and LATCH use.

The 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, traffic-sign recognition, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the Mazda3's design presented a significant blind spot due to the large C-pillar, and the infotainment system's layout was noted as a potential safety issue due to its distracting nature.