2022 Mazda MAZDA3 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 this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional, with a premium feel thanks to a mix of soft-touch surfaces and comfortable seating. The Jetta was available in Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trims, with the base Comfortline trim surprisingly well-equipped, including features like 16-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3, available in both sedan and hatchback styles, offered a design that was not universally appealing but had a certain artistry. The hatchback, in particular, had a unique look that some might describe as "hunchback." The interior was driver-focused, with refined materials and a sophisticated design, providing a snug but comfortable fit. The Mazda3's back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers, and the hatchback's cargo space, while adequate, was limited in shape and size. The Mazda3's design was mature and serious, with a focus on stealth rather than flashy elements.

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, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with smooth and sporty steering reminiscent of an entry-level BMW 3 Series. The ride was surprisingly soft over rough roads, and fuel efficiency was commendable, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 L/100 km combined and the automatic 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, known for its fuel economy of 7.6 L/100 km combined. Most buyers opted for the 2.5-litre non-turbo engine with 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, with fuel consumption between 7.8 and 8.6 L/100 km. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, available with AWD, delivered up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel, but real-world fuel efficiency was lower than advertised. The Mazda3 Turbo offered a smooth and thrilling driving experience, with excellent handling and balance, though the brakes showed signs of fade during intense driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats and adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk space was 399 litres, average for its class. The interior layout was practical, with a blend of touchscreen functions and real buttons and dials, making it user-friendly.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 had a driver-focused interior with excellent thigh and side bolster support. The front seats were comfortable, but the back seat was less accommodating for taller passengers. The hatchback offered 569 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,334 litres with the seats folded. The sedan's trunk held 374 litres. Storage space was adequate, though the placement of the wireless charging pad was inconvenient.

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 could project navigation information.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with an 8.8-inch display and Bluetooth. The system was controlled via a centre console, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition, though the latter was not user-friendly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, and Mazda Connected Services offered remote access to vehicle functions. A Bose audio system and an Active Driving Display were also available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. 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 headlights.

The 2022 Mazda MAZDA3 excelled in safety, with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking were optional. The Mazda3 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a Top Safety Pick+ designation.