2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past reputation of being a bland, textbook example of a sedan. Designers infused the model with a variety of styling details to make it more exciting. The flared wheel arches and slim headlights and taillights successfully widened the car's appearance. However, the SE and XSE trims were criticized for their fake vents, which added unnecessary visual clutter. The LE and XLE trims featured a cleaner, albeit still large, grille. The Camry was built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Avalon and RAV4. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of trim elements and materials that lacked a cohesive design theme, resulting in a low-rent feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a subtle makeover, with changes that were almost imperceptible at first glance. The exterior updates included a redesigned front fascia, bumper, and grille, with more chrome accents. The rear bumper was squared off, and LED lighting became standard. New wheel designs and metallic paint colours were introduced. The Jetta's interior updates were equally subtle but added a premium touch with contrast stitching and a new two-tone leather option for the Highline trim. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for essential controls conveniently placed. The Jetta's design was understated, yet purposeful, akin to a well-designed suitcase.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that delivered 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque with FWD, and slightly less with AWD. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, boosting output to 206 hp with FWD. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was also available, producing 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for a total of 208 hp. The Camry's chassis struck a balance between handling and ride quality, offering a surprisingly engaging driving experience. The TRD package added performance enhancements like a lowered suspension and bigger brakes.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 158 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It was available with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission, both paired with FWD. The Jetta excelled in fuel economy, achieving impressive figures on long highway trips. However, its powertrain was criticized for being touchy and laggy, with tepid dynamics. The Jetta offered multiple drive modes, but the steering feedback was detached, and acceleration was inconsistent in stop-and-go traffic. On the highway, the power delivery was smoother, and the automatic transmission performed well.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, but front space was below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was 428 litres, average for a midsize sedan but less than the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. Toyota included analog controls for essential functions, improving ease of use, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact size, offered ample passenger space for four adults, with comfortable seats. The cabin was driver-centric, with buttons for quick access to climate control, audio, and seat controls. Storage space was practical, with door pockets, a centre console bin, and a sunglass holder. The centre storage bin lacked a latch, which was unusual but not problematic. The Jetta's interior was well-organized, with driving-related controls intuitively placed.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features, with plain graphics and limited USB ports.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta featured the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster as standard. Comfortline and Highline models had an 8-inch infotainment system, with the Highline offering a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro. The system allowed for customization, with navigation displayed in the instrument cluster. The Jetta's infotainment system was user-friendly, with capacitive-touch sensors and smartphone integration. The Highline trim included premium Beats Audio and a remote start system.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. It came with the TSS 2.5+ package, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian recognition as standard. Higher trims offered blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while Emergency Assist monitored driver attentiveness. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to an Acceptable side crash test score.