2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2022 Volkswagen Jetta
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is 6.7 out of 10, while the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class scores 8.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the clear winner, offering superior luxury, advanced technology, and a more refined driving experience. If your budget allows, the S-Class is the better choice for those seeking the pinnacle of automotive excellence.

Overview

MSRP

$20,365

MSRP

$114,500

Average price

$19,912

Average price

$94,688

Listings

265

Listings

359
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.7 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.5 out of 10
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Comfortable
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Unintuitive technology
  • All-wheel drive not available
Pros
  • Impressive technology
  • Premium interior materials
  • Impressive electric range
Cons
  • Doesn’t qualify for federal tax rebate
  • Very expensive

2022 Volkswagen Jetta Reviews Summary

Volkswagen’s career sales leader, the Jetta receives a mild but value-minded refresh for the 2022 model year. Although the compact sedan’s lineup has been pared down (farewell, SEL Premium and R-Line), the Jetta’s standard features, technology, and power rating get a welcomed boost.

2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reviews Summary

When it comes to good design, even better luxury, and stellar performance, it’s tough to beat the three-pointed star. The S-Class is a few years into its latest generation, but Mercedes trotted out a new powertrain for 2023. It’s not a full battery-electric vehicle, for that you’ll want the EQS, but for many consumers the plug-in hybrid can be a convenient stop-gap for those not ready to commit to leaving the gas station behind for good.
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Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.5L 158 hp I4

Engine

3.0L 429 hp I6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

Horsepower

429 hp @ 6100 rpm

MPG City

29

MPG City

20

MPG Highway

43

MPG Highway

28
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
$20,365MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$114,500MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta is 6.7 out of 10, while the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class scores 8.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the clear winner, offering superior luxury, advanced technology, and a more refined driving experience. If your budget allows, the S-Class is the better choice for those seeking the pinnacle of automotive excellence.

Overview
MSRP
$20,365
$114,500
Average price
$19,912
$94,688
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
5.0
4.2
Expert reviews

6.7 out of 10

Read full review

8.5 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Comfortable
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Fairly pedestrian performance
  • Unintuitive technology
  • All-wheel drive not available
Pros
  • Impressive technology
  • Premium interior materials
  • Impressive electric range
Cons
  • Doesn’t qualify for federal tax rebate
  • Very expensive
Summary
Volkswagen’s career sales leader, the Jetta receives a mild but value-minded refresh for the 2022 model year. Although the compact sedan’s lineup has been pared down (farewell, SEL Premium and R-Line), the Jetta’s standard features, technology, and power rating get a welcomed boost.
When it comes to good design, even better luxury, and stellar performance, it’s tough to beat the three-pointed star. The S-Class is a few years into its latest generation, but Mercedes trotted out a new powertrain for 2023. It’s not a full battery-electric vehicle, for that you’ll want the EQS, but for many consumers the plug-in hybrid can be a convenient stop-gap for those not ready to commit to leaving the gas station behind for good.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.5L 158 hp I4
3.0L 429 hp I6
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
429 hp @ 6100 rpm
MPG City
29
20
MPG Highway
43
28
Look and feel
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
6/10
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

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 2022 model received a mild makeover, including an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, improved infotainment, and a new Sport trim. The Jetta's design changes were subtle, with minor updates to the front fascia, bumper, and grille, featuring more chrome elements. The interior also saw subtle but appealing updates, such as 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 a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class continued to impress with its seventh-generation model, which debuted in 2021. The S 580e plug-in hybrid powertrain with 4Matic all-wheel drive was the highlight of the 2023 lineup. The S-Class exuded calm sophistication with its clean lines and sculpted front end, enhanced by optional high-gloss black trim, 20-inch AMG wheels, and AMG-style bumpers and side skirts. The interior was a true luxury experience, offering eight different colors of sumptuous leather upholstery and five trim materials. Our tester featured Sienna Brown and Black leather, a panoramic sunroof, and superb fit and finish. The seats were incredibly comfortable, with massaging, heating, and ventilation options, making long drives a pleasure. The S-Class also featured a plethora of standard features, including power sunshades, soft-closing doors, and 64-color ambient lighting.

Performance
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
6/10
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 1.4-liter turbo-four. This engine produced 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, with transmission options including a standard six-speed manual or an optional eight-speed automatic. The Jetta's fuel economy was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving an EPA estimate of 29 mpg city, 43 mpg highway, and 34 mpg combined. Automatic transmission models had slightly different ratings, with S and Sport models achieving 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 35 mpg combined, while SE and SEL models achieved 29 mpg city, 40 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. During a road trip, the Jetta averaged 46.9 highway mpg, requiring only two fill-ups for a roughly 1,000-mile journey. The Jetta's ride quality was comfortable, but its powertrain had some drawbacks, including a touchy throttle, turbo lag, and tepid dynamics. The Jetta offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, with Sport mode providing a slight improvement in performance.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S 580e paired a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine with a 28.6-kWh battery and an electric motor, offering 56 miles of all-electric range. The battery could be charged at 11 kW, taking about two hours and 20 minutes to reach full capacity. The S 580e also supported DC fast charging at 60 kW. The EPA rated the S 580e PHEV at 51 MPGe combined, but during testing, it achieved 53.9 mpg. The combined powertrain produced 510 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the S 580e to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in about 4.4 seconds. The S-Class excelled in comfort, with a buttery soft air suspension that absorbed road imperfections effortlessly. Rear-wheel steering enhanced maneuverability, and the car transitioned smoothly between electric and gas power in Hybrid mode. The nine-speed automatic transmission provided seamless gear shifts, although there was a slight jerk when downshifting into first gear.

Form and function
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
7/10
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
8/10

Despite its compact proportions, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta offered ample passenger space for four adults, with the ability to accommodate five if needed. The seats were comfortable, although the front seat bottom cushions had a slight incline that might not be appreciated by shorter individuals. 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 slot next to the cupholders. The center storage bin, while not large, was still usable, although it lacked a latch, which was an unusual omission.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with standard features, including massaging, heated, and ventilated seats for both front and rear passengers. The steering wheel and armrests were also heated. Power sunshades on the rear and side-rear windows, soft-closing doors, and 64-color ambient lighting added to the luxury experience. The Energizing Comfort wellness program combined interior lighting, massage, audio, fragrance, and climate controls to enhance the driving experience. Storage space was plentiful, with numerous small cubbies and a spacious center armrest. However, the trunk space was limited to 8.1 cubic feet, significantly less than the standard S-Class's 12.9 cubic feet. For those needing more cargo space, the Porsche Panamera plug-in hybrid offered over 14 cubic feet with its hatchback lift gate.

Technology
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
7/10
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received an upgrade in technology, with all models equipped with the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The Jetta SEL featured the Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display, three views, and additional widgets for navigation, phone history, and driver-assist systems. The standard infotainment system in S, Sport, and SE trims was a 6.5-inch Volkswagen MIB2 system, with capacitive-touch sensors and smartphone-like operation. The Jetta SEL received the newer 8-inch MIB3 system, which included navigation, wireless App-Connect, wireless device charging, multi-phone pairing, and enhanced voice recognition. The MIB3 system also offered HD Radio, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, a Car-Net Hotspot subscription, and a Plus Nav package. However, the voice activation and navigation commands were not always intuitive, leading to some frustration during use.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a reconfigurable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen center display with the latest MBUX infotainment system. The home screen displayed a large map, with different tiles that could be overlaid or accessed via a double-tap on the home button. The system included a variety of games for entertainment during charging stops. The Mercedes natural-language AI assistant was effective, responding to commands for climate control and even telling jokes. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the native navigation system was enhanced with augmented reality, providing numerical addresses and directional arrows overlaid on a video from the forward-facing camera. The system also included a stoplight view, which automatically activated the forward-facing camera at intersections. Wireless charging and multiple USB-C ports were available, and the standard Burmester sound system provided excellent audio quality.

Safety
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
8/10
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
9/10

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 with stop-and-go, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for speeds over 20 mph, while Emergency Assist monitored driver attentiveness and could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver was unresponsive. The full IQ.Drive safety suite was standard on Jetta SE and SEL trims. 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 lower scores for headlights and LATCH use.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The hands-on highway driver-assist system used adaptive cruise control to maintain a set distance from the lead car and keep the vehicle centered in its lane. The system also allowed for automatic lane changes when the driver signaled. Crosswind Assist helped keep the car stable in strong winds, and Speed Limit Assist adjusted the cruising speed based on traffic sign readings. The 2023 S-Class had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

Cost Effectiveness
2022 Volkswagen Jetta
6/10
2023 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
7/10
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