2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer and wider body, maintaining the same height. Its design featured a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, offering a more dramatic appearance than the previous generation's staid look. Inside, the Jetta continued the angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and attractive, with a premium feel despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The seats were notably comfortable, suitable for long drives, and the base Comfortline trim came well-equipped with features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i xDrive, exuded a sporty and luxurious aura with its M Performance exterior design, exclusive grille and bumper designs, and Shadowline trim. The interior featured power-adjustable front sport seats with Cognac-colour SensaTec upholstery, providing ample support and a trendy contrast against the dark cabin. The 3 Series offered a comfortable rear seat with decent legroom, although the centre position was less practical. The car boasted a three-zone automatic climate control system, and while heated front seats and a steering wheel were standard, ventilated front seats were not available. The trunk offered a generous 481 litres of cargo space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having 3 fewer horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission, which replaced the previous six-speed. This setup allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across various speeds, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth yet sporty driving experience. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 L/100 km combined and the automatic 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine with 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The M340i's drivetrain included a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, contributing to a fuel consumption rating of 9.4 L/100 km during testing. The car's performance was exhilarating, with a 0-100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds, and it handled with precision and agility, thanks to its M Sport suspension and variable sport steering. The M340i's driving dynamics were further enhanced by the optional Adaptive M Suspension, making it a thrilling car to drive.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom, and a 399-litre trunk. The interior layout was practical, with a user-friendly touchscreen positioned above the climate vents and a larger centre tray for storage. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing practicality and ease of use.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i provided power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed decent legroom, although the centre seat was less practical. The car featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a steering wheel as standard. The trunk offered 481 litres of cargo space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added versatility.

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 offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a 10.25-inch digital display that could be personalized to show various information, including navigation.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series offered the optional Digital Cockpit Professional, with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. BMW iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a gesture control system. The car included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, with an available 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system. The Connected Package Pro technology provided BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant for voice recognition.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline grade added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline offered additional driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a Good rating from the IIHS but did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series came with Active Guard, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and city-speed automatic emergency braking. The Traffic Jam Assistant offered semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, with the optional adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight required for the Top Safety Pick accolade.