2020 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a renewed focus on quality and appeal, aiming to reclaim its status as a top contender in the sedan market. Its styling was more expressive than ever, with a bold front fascia and taut lines that gave it a sporty edge. The design borrowed cues from BMW, with a character line across the doors and an upturned kink of the C-pillar. With 13 exterior colour options, including a black roof, the Camry was designed to be fashionable. Inside, the Camry used high-quality materials, and the driver-focused dashboard made even the base trims feel upscale. The top trims featured leather and wood, aligning them with entry-level Lexus models. Despite not being a luxury or sport sedan, the Camry's starting price of $26,620 made it a compelling choice for those seeking a reliable and stylish vehicle.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence with its slightly longer and wider dimensions compared to the previous model. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added drama to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued the angular design language, creating a spacious and functional cabin. The seats were comfortable for long drives, and the interior had a premium feel with a mix of soft-touch surfaces. The Jetta's trim levels—Comfortline, Highline, and Execline—offered a range of features, with the base Comfortline trim being well-equipped. The Highline added leatherette seating, a panoramic sunroof, and advanced safety features, while the Execline included a digital instrument cluster and a premium audio system.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, including a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim) and a 3.5-litre V6 producing 301 horsepower. The V6, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, especially in the XLE trim. The four-cylinder engine, although less powerful, was lighter and offered a more engaging driving experience in the sporty XSE trim. The Camry also introduced an all-wheel-drive option, which could send up to half of the engine's 184 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels in slippery conditions. Fuel efficiency varied, with the front-drive Camry achieving 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres in XLE and XSE trims, while the AWD version consumed 8.4 L/100 km.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta featured a single engine option: a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta's acceleration was smooth, and it handled both city and highway driving with ease. A 6-speed manual transmission was available on the Comfortline and Highline trims. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a blend of smoothness and sportiness. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the automatic using 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was designed for ease of use, with controls that were intuitive and within easy reach. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room compared to the previous generation, but the rear seat had reduced legroom and overall passenger volume. The trunk space was 428 litres, smaller than some competitors. The addition of all-wheel drive did not compromise the trunk or passenger space, as Toyota made structural modifications to accommodate it.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta provided comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk offered 399 litres of space, which was average for its class. The interior layout was practical, with a touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easy access. The centre tray was larger, and the controls combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, enhancing usability. The Jetta's design prioritized practicality, making it a strong contender for those seeking functionality.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features, along with Bluetooth and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system, while functional, felt dated with low-resolution graphics. The standard 7-inch screen could be upgraded to an 8-inch version. Higher trims offered a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch multi-information display. Remote Connect allowed smartphone access for locking, unlocking, and remote starting on certain trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Execline trim included Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel. This feature allowed drivers to project navigation and other information onto a 10.25-inch screen, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which included a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was available, offering emergency assistance and a stolen vehicle locator. Blind-spot monitoring was optional. The Camry received a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. However, there was a recall for leaking engine coolant affecting some models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim added blind-spot monitoring, while the Execline featured automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to its headlight performance.