2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. The hybrid powertrain added a premium of about $3,000 to $4,000 over the non-hybrid models. The Accord Hybrid was not offered in a Sport trim. The car was praised for its design, showcasing a balance of proportion, stance, style, and detailing that was not often seen in Hondas. Minor front styling changes included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, which, while attractive, were difficult to clean. The interior was upscale, with plastic panels that did not feel cheap, simulated matte-finish wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The controls were logically arranged, and the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display included both a volume and tuning knob. Visibility was excellent, aiding in parking and maneuvering.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a mild makeover with an engine update, exterior styling tweaks, and improved infotainment. It was offered in Trendline, Comfortline, and Highline trims in Canada. The exterior changes were subtle, with updates to the front fascia, bumper, and grille, which now featured more chrome. The rear bumper was redesigned to be less squatty and more square, with standard LED lighting. New wheel designs and metallic colours were added to the paint palette. The Jetta's profile appeared more aggressive, with a lower front fascia resembling a smirk and 17-inch alloy wheels with a Japanese throwing-star vibe. The interior updates were subtle but appealing, with new cloth seat patterns and contrast stitching. The Highline trim offered a two-tone leather interior option. An 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster was standard, with the Highline receiving a 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and an 8-inch touchscreen-navigation system.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with torque available immediately and remaining constant up to 2,000 rpm. The car used 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with an average of 5.5 L/100 km during testing. The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive. Drivers could select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode to tailor the drivetrain characteristics. The 2021 model saw improvements in throttle response and a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring, with its 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires, offered excellent handling and a compliant ride. The brake-by-wire regenerative braking system was praised for its feel, modulation, and response.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. It replaced the previous 1.4-litre turbo-four engine. Transmission options included a standard 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed automatic, with the automatic standard on the Highline trim. The Jetta was front-wheel drive only. The increased horsepower made the Jetta feel quicker, and its fuel economy was impressive, with estimates of 8.0 L/100 km city, 5.5 highway, and 6.9 combined for the manual, and 7.7 L/100 km city, 5.7 highway, and 6.8 combined for the automatic. On a long road trip, the Jetta averaged 5.0 L/100 km on the highway. The cabin was comfortable for long drives, though not the quietest. The powertrain was criticized for its touchy throttle, turbo lag, and surge, with dynamics described as tepid. The Jetta offered Eco, Normal, Sport, and Custom drive modes, with Sport mode providing a slight improvement in performance.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered an impressive amount of space, competing as a midsize sedan but effectively a full-size sedan. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and spacious back seat provided excellent leg support, with the Touring trim featuring heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk was enormous, with a capacity of 473 litres, matching other Accords and larger than any competitor in the segment. The trunk was deep enough to store full-size suitcases on their sides, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats expanded the car's utility.

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 cushions had a slight incline that might not suit shorter individuals. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for climate control, audio, and heated and ventilated seats. Storage space included door pockets, a centre console bin, a slot next to the cupholders, and a sunglass holder. The centre storage bin was usable but lacked a latch, which was unusual.

For 2021, the Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. USB port access was improved, and the Touring trim featured 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers and standard wireless charging for smartphones. The Touring trim also included a head-up display and navigation with bilingual voice recognition, though the system required specific prompts for voice commands. The navigation system struggled to locate the nearest hospital, highlighting a limitation in its functionality.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade, with all models featuring a Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. Comfortline and Highline models had an 8-inch infotainment system with customizable views and widgets. The Highline trim offered a Digital Cockpit Pro with a 10.25-inch display and additional widgets. The infotainment system allowed for Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and MirrorLink integration, with Bluetooth, two USB-C ports, and an SD card multimedia interface as standard. Comfortline models and above included a charge-only port. The test vehicle featured premium Beats Audio sound and a remote start system.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to its headlights. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard across all trims to achieve this rating. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Touring trim added low-speed braking control and front and rear automatic emergency braking. The Honda Sensing suite of ADAS was refined for smoother operation, though some features were still intrusive. The low-speed automatic braking system required recalibration, as it was overly sensitive with a full payload.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian recognition in Canada. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist were available from the Comfortline trim. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while Emergency Assist monitored driver attentiveness. The Jetta's driver aids could be customized via the touchscreen menu. The Jetta did not receive a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to an Acceptable score in the side crash test and Marginal to Poor headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Jetta a five-star overall safety rating.