2021 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Toyota Camry

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 look than the previous generation's staid appearance. 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 Toyota Camry, particularly in the TRD model, caught attention with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint and performance-tuned design. The Camry TRD featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, and red accents, making it stand out from other Camry versions. The interior, while less polarizing, offered a sporty driving position and power-adjustable front seats. However, the TRD model sacrificed some practicality with a fixed rear seatback and a smaller 428-litre trunk. Despite these compromises, the Camry provided generous in-cabin storage and a unique dashboard layout.

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 for quick power delivery from a stop. The Jetta's 8-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous six-speed, offering better power management and efficiency. The Jetta handled both city and highway driving well, with fantastic steering that was smooth and sporty, akin to an entry-level BMW 3 Series. The ride was surprisingly soft over rough roads, and fuel efficiency was commendable, with the manual transmission using 6.9 L/100 km and the automatic 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD boasted a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The Camry TRD offered a Sport transmission mode and paddle shifters, enhancing its performance. Despite its robust engine, the Camry TRD managed a fuel consumption of 9.5 L/100 km, slightly above the expected 9.4 L/100 km. The TRD model featured track-tuned driving dynamics, with increased torsional rigidity, reworked suspension, and bigger brakes. While the Camry TRD delivered remarkable performance, its front-wheel drive made it easy to break the front wheels loose, and the car's nose-heavy design could lead to understeer in tight corners.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom, and a 399-litre trunk, average for its class. The interior layout was practical, with a touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easy access. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing functionality over aesthetics.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD, while not the roomiest midsize sedan, accommodated two adults comfortably in the back seat. However, the TRD model lacked rear-seat air vents and had a fixed rear seatback, limiting cargo flexibility. The trunk offered 428 litres of space, smaller than some competitors. Despite these limitations, the Camry provided generous in-cabin storage, with a large bin under the centre armrest and ample stash space throughout the cabin.

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 customizable digital display that could project navigation information.

The 2022 Toyota Camry featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Camry TRD and XSE models upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with additional subscription services and a 9-speaker JBL premium audio system. However, the TRD model lacked dynamic connected navigation and voice recognition technology, relying on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta included a full array of safety features, such as 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. The Jetta received a Good rating in IIHS crash tests but fell short of a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star safety rating.

The 2022 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and more. The Camry TRD and XSE included blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. While the lane-departure warning system could issue false warnings, the adaptive cruise control system sometimes reduced speed unnecessarily. Safety Connect was standard, providing collision notification and emergency assistance. The Camry earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.