2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer body and wheelbase, maintaining its height but widening by about 2.5 centimetres. This change, along with a wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, gave the Jetta a more dramatic and upscale appearance. Inside, the cabin mirrored the exterior's angular design, offering a spacious and functional environment 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 Lexus ES maintained its elegant proportions with a sleek roofline and the distinctive Lexus "spindle" grille, which was a matter of taste. The interior, while precisely assembled, had an asymmetrical dashboard that gave a cockpit feel but appeared jumbled. The F Sport package added bold two-tone leather seating, which seemed sportier than the rest of the car. The ES's interior was functional, with ample storage and convenience features, including heated and ventilated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a moonroof. The ES offered a generous 394 litres of cargo space, with the hybrid model maintaining the same capacity due to efficient battery placement.

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 slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, aided by an 8-speed automatic transmission that managed power efficiently across various speeds. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth yet sporty driving experience. It handled both city and highway driving well, with minimal body roll and a surprisingly soft ride over rough roads. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the automatic at 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three models with distinct powertrains. The ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, achieving 9.5 L/100 km in the city and 8.4 combined. The ES 350 came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 307 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, with a 9.2 L/100 km combined rating. The hybrid ES 300h combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, excelling in fuel economy with 5.3 L/100 km combined. While the ES 250 AWD provided standard all-wheel drive, it felt underpowered for a luxury sedan, whereas the ES 350 offered more engaging performance, and the ES 300h prioritized fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats suitable for long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk provided 399 litres of space, average for its class. The interior layout prioritized functionality, with a user-friendly touchscreen positioned above the climate vents and a practical centre tray. The blend of touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials enhanced usability, making the Jetta a practical choice for those valuing functionality.

The 2022 Lexus ES provided 394 litres of cargo space, with the hybrid model maintaining the same capacity. The second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 folded flat, allowing for additional storage space. The ES's lower centre of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling compared to its SUV counterparts. Inside, the ES featured heated, ventilated, and power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and ample storage options. The dashboard layout, while not aesthetically pleasing, functioned well with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta's base model included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Execline trim featured Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that could project navigation information. This setup allowed drivers to access navigation without needing to upgrade to a higher trim level.

The 2022 Lexus ES came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The base model included a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, while upper trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system. The ES also featured a 10-inch head-up display on higher trims, enhancing safety by displaying critical information in the driver's line of sight. The Lexus Enform suite provided connected services, including emergency alerts and remote vehicle control.

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 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 five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to its headlights.

The 2022 Lexus ES excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. Standard features also included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags. The ES offered up to 10 years of Lexus Enform Safety Connect service.